An Outdoor Life

May 22, 2019March 27, 2020

Thankful

Tuesday. I’m five days from race day. A race day that is brand new to me. 50 miles. It’s like the first Ironman or first triathlon or first anything. I’m emotional and making bad decisions; par for the course.

But you know what is never bad or wrong – being thankful. Thankful for the people in your life that stay in your life. The people that aren’t scared away from my crazy, neurotic ways.

I’m thankful for my friends and family who stick with me and support me. I love you all. Five days to the newest adventure that I hope will give me a 50 mile finisher pint glass at the end.

Am I saving the world or making the world a better place? No. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next week. But I want to. I’m working on it.

Here’s to the adventures of the last few years; may they continue for the next 20:

My BFF, my friend who will meet me anywhere to swim, bike, run or trail run at 10,000 feet.

Mary and Kathy – who showed up at Arizona to cheer me on at Ironman; and at the finish line.

Hiking Tumamoc in 100 degree heat in Tucson, sealed the deal – friends for life. Kassandra is the best person I know. A great mom, wife and friend. My BFF.

Jeff, my friend for 20 years. My longest friendship. You’re the best!

My mom. Who always says I can do anything I want to do as long as I smile.

May 20, 2019March 27, 2020

Leadville Training Week 14 – The week that wasn’t

This week was supposed to be a week where I recover from the 30 miler and taper for the 50. It turned out to be an injury week. My last run was Tuesday morning, a nice 4 miler before work. Later in the afternoon I attempted a mountain bike ride on the trails in Manchester, FOMBA. What a great trail system except that I crashed a few times and had issues clipping out, and injured my left knee.

There was a lot icing and ibuprofen, and perhaps a bit of despair this week. I foam rolled more than I ever have in my life; maybe twice a day. I started swimming on Friday, and on Saturday ended up joining a lane of master swimmers at the Y. That was fun. It seemed by the end of day Saturday it was about 70% healed. I did every type of activity I could except running. On Sunday afternoon I even went on a bike ride on the QR. After 9 months of no biking and swimming, it felt great to be in the aero bars and swim in the pool.

Sunday was the highlight of the week. I supported Alex at his mountain bike race. I’ve learned how to be an excellent sherpa from Than so it was fun to figure out where he would come out of the woods for a photo op and to cheer him on to Top 10 results. Woo Hoo. After all the races I’ve done and knowing how important it is to hear someone cheering for me, it is truly so fun to do it for people I care about. The mountain biking crowd is so different from Ironman and Ultra running. The race venue was at a park in southeastern Massachusetts, a place I’ve never been and it was great to get out of dodge.

Goal 2 2019 50 Mile — Do it for the sticker!

Monday – May 20 – 6 days until race day. 50 Miles. This is my B race. Race 3 of 5 of the dream year. I’m ready. I’m focused. Mark is pacing me and we are celebrating his birthday. Yeah May, Yeah 50 Miles. Yeah to doing things you’ve never done before and crushing it!

May 17, 2019March 27, 2020

It’s all about the adventure

My knee is still inflamed and sore but getting better after crashing on a mountain bike Tuesday night. It was my first time on a mountain bike since 2014, and my first time riding trails in New Hampshire after biking in Arizona and Colorado. In retrospect, I probably should not have biked so close to race day but I chose adventure instead of caution.

I’m a pretty cautions person when it comes to choosing to turn back so I can live another day in the mountains. But I really didn’t think mountain biking would be dangerous. I love mountain biking and just laughing as I speed down hills and sweat going up the hills in the woods. It’s so much like skiing in that you are in the moment and not thinking about anything else. Whereas with running you are thinking of everything. When you get that chance to ride in a place you’ve never been with a fun, hot mountain bike racer, you take it. Ha! Crashing on roots and rocks, while not ideal, is part of the adventure. I forgot that.

But alas, I’ve been here before. Not really thinking of the outcomes but taking the adventure because I wanted to do something new or different. It’s why I took a job in Concord and moved here in 2017. It’s why I took risks in relationships and signing up for a race I wasn’t sure I could do.

It’s about the adventure.

I’m trying not to despair as I sit on my sofa on a rainy Friday morning contemplating the next few days. While I can’t run and can barely walk, it’s going to be okay. My race is 8 days away and I can’t even taper. The worse case scenario: I don’t make it to the start line. The best case scenario: my knee heals and I make it 50 miles on May 26. So for the next few days I will swim, stretch, foam roll, walk and do the elliptical at the Y.