On Races and Their Hazards
August 30, 2010
One thing that every athlete loves is competition. For me, competition came in the form of a 16-mile trail race last Sunday in Steamboat Springs, CO. It was called the Continental Divide Trail Run, and it's one spectacular race. I had done it once before, and was excited to test myself on what I knew was a challenging course. With over 4,800ft of total climb and a maximum elevation above 10,500ft it is a beautiful, but daunting endeavor. I am happy to say that I set a new personal best on the course en route to a 7th place finish in a field of more than 100!
I did however, pay a price for my good result: one BIG blister. Now normally, I don't let blisters get in my way, but this puppy was huge! I started to notice it around mile 9, and realized that the only thing to do was keep on going to the finish. After all, I was in the middle of the woods on the continental divide. There was no race support for miles. By the time I reached the high point on the course and began the fast decent down Mt. Werner to the top of the gondola on the Steamboat Ski Resort, I was suffering. I knew I was going to have at least a few days of pain, but the excitement of nearing the end of a race that took the winner over two hours helped me put it out of my head.
In the end, I'm still not sure exactly what caused the blister. Maybe my shoes have passed their prime. Maybe my right foot got wet and not my left. Maybe I have a funny gait, or maybe my sock got bunched up. It was probably a combination of things, but whatever it was, I learned that just because I hadn't had a blister on my foot in years, did not mean I didn't need to worry about them on race day. To finish as strong as you start, you must be fully prepared. This was a good reminder early in the year to be prepared for every obstacle a race might throw at you.
For me, dealing with a blister was an exercise in patience and suffering. I was hobbling around for a full week before I could run again, but you can bet that when I was able to trot out the door this morning for a jog before breakfast, it was one of the most refreshing feelings I've had all year. See you on the trails!
Time at Home
August 11, 2010
No matter where a person lives, the house they grew up in will always be home. To spend time at that home is to reconnect with the forces that made you who you are and defined who you wanted to be. It is also a chance to rejuvenate while you get in some great training!
I have been home in Steamboat Springs, CO for a week now, and I've packed a lot in since I stepped off the plane. I've visited favorite restaurants (Azteca Taqueria!), run my favorite trails, caught up with some old friends, climbed a mountain or two, and caught some big fish. I've also been fortunate to be able to share some of these adventures with my parents. These are the types of experiences and the people who truly influenced me to live life outdoors. To reconnect with these points of inspiration is invaluable as a motivational force. While in Steamboat I'm constantly reminded that my workouts are play, even when they are hard. That makes it easier to get out the door and will continue to do so even when the going gets tough. Home, for me, is a wellspring of energy to keep pushing as an athlete. My time here, is a chance to fill the tank.
: I was fortunate to see more than 20 bighorn sheep above Luna Lake. The herd seems to be flourishing as I saw numerous lambs in the group.
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A nice Rainbow from the Elk River. Photo: Tom Ross
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A calm morning during a backpacking trip to Luna Lake in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness. A single picture doesn’t do the area justice. It was one of the more beautiful locations I’ve been.
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Breakfast! Day two at Luna Lake
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