Sean O'Day's Posts - Pikes Peak Sports2024-03-29T12:26:42ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODayhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2797459326?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://pikespeaksports.us/profiles/blog/feed?user=3ej5zyxguf3li&xn_auth=noLetterstag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-08-25:5021591:BlogPost:5883082014-08-25T12:27:01.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>Chris Cunningham and I reluctantly went outside on his mom's command to "enjoy the fresh air" that day. We were twelve. Lacking any other appealing options, we decided to head out to his driveway and play catch with a football. A real football, too...not one of those fluorescent, sticky Nerf ones that were only awesome until chunks came out of it. For no real reason, I intentionally overthrew Chris once. Not by a foot or two, but by maybe ten or twenty. Enough to land it straight into…</p>
<p>Chris Cunningham and I reluctantly went outside on his mom's command to "enjoy the fresh air" that day. We were twelve. Lacking any other appealing options, we decided to head out to his driveway and play catch with a football. A real football, too...not one of those fluorescent, sticky Nerf ones that were only awesome until chunks came out of it. For no real reason, I intentionally overthrew Chris once. Not by a foot or two, but by maybe ten or twenty. Enough to land it straight into what would have been the middle of the street had a car not been driving by at that exact moment. A Jeep Wagoneer, I think it was. Anyhoo. The crack I put in his windshield wasn't as impressive as I'd hoped. I was bummed. The guy in the Jeep didn't even seem phased in the slightest either. </p>
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<p>So I'd be lying if I said I remembered it like it was yesterday. I surely can't remember all the details of the event. But I DO remember feeling some fairly intense pangs of remorse as I sat at my bedroom desk that night, grounded for the foreseeable future, struggling to come up with the words to the apology letter I was supposed to send to this guy.</p>
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<p>Trying to explain my disappointment over this past weekend has made me think of that letter more than once. </p>
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<p>During the first full week of March 2014, my training was limited to 20 minute walk/runs every couple of days. Cumulative mileage may have been about....oh, 3 miles per week. Nonetheless, I had been seeing tons of improvement since my surgery in late October and I was convinced I would be back to normal before I knew it. That the months of sitting around in a boot was just some dumb dream. So, despite a little bit of doubt regarding my ability to succeed, I nonetheless signed up to double at Pikes Peak. To be clear, I signed up for two events totaling 39 miles and 15,000+ of high-altitude trail running despite having not logged a tenth of that in the previous five months. I had also that week told my friend Amanda that I wanted to pace her over Hope Pass at the Leadville 100. "It gives me a reason to work", I said.</p>
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<p>Through the spring and summer I continued to reach new milestones: my first one hour run, my first race, my first multiple summit hike. The pattern remained the same - push for a while, deal with a little bit of residual soreness in my foot, back off for a few days, then get back after it. Hiking proved to be an activity that allowed me to regain strength in my left foot and leg. Running took a back seat.</p>
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<p>About two weeks before PPA/PPM, I did a huge mountain loop just outside of Lake City. It was by all means the capstone of my summer - 8 summits, 21 miles, and almost 9,000' of climbing. It <em>left</em> my left foot sore as I expected it to. What I didn't expect was for the soreness to linger. A week later, I found the ache to be just a bit more pronounced that it had been in the couple of days after that hike. This was unusual, and frankly it scared me to death. Having the symptoms show themselves in full force just a day before the biggest weekend of my summer and not having the luxury of diagnosing it in time, I was faced with a series of decisions. When it was all said and done, I was just too scared to try and put in a hard day on my foot. So...no Marathon. No Ascent. If not for my obligation to Amanda, I would have skipped out on all running last weekend.</p>
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<p>Leadville itself was an experience. If you've never paced someone before, you don't know what you're missing. It's hard to put it into words. It's just....rewarding. Amanda rocked, finishing her first 100 miler ever in a shade over 26 hours. I got to take her up and over Hope Pass, covering the 10 miles and 3,000' of climbing in around three and a half hours.</p>
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<p>So did I make the right call? Did I still do too much? Should I have done the Ascent instead of pacing Amanda? Well, a visit a few days later to Simon the Great - that's the best PT in all of the universe as far as I'm concerned - put to rest my fear that I had developed a stress fracture when he poked and prodded me and told me had likely just irritated a bunch of stuff in my foot. I pushed hard all summer long, and now it's time to give my foot time to quiet back down a bit. I'm coaching high schoolers these next few months, and if I run with them I won't see more than 20 or 30 miles a week. Once their season is over, maybe my next season can begin.</p>
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<p>As for the football. Writing that letter was something I put off for many days. Admitting that I had been such a bonehead sucked. Here, I just want to move on and not think about what I had to miss out on. Pikes is a special weekend, one I have had the pleasure of experiencing 7 of the last 9 years. Not racing, not seeing all the familiar faces and places, it still makes me want to sulk like a little kid. But as I've told others when they've had to miss out on it...the mountain isn't going anywhere.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806513195?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806513195?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>Jaggedtag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-08-03:5021591:BlogPost:5828022014-08-03T23:00:52.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>Victory is so much easier to write about than defeat. But it's from defeat where we learn to appreciate victory. I can only hope my last outing to the Weminuche Wilderness teaches me something. It has nothing to do with Pikes and little to do with Ascent training, but it is a window into what this whole pseudomountaineering thing is all about.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806526491?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806526491?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a> Jagged…</p>
<p>Victory is so much easier to write about than defeat. But it's from defeat where we learn to appreciate victory. I can only hope my last outing to the Weminuche Wilderness teaches me something. It has nothing to do with Pikes and little to do with Ascent training, but it is a window into what this whole pseudomountaineering thing is all about.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806526491?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806526491?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"/></a>Jagged Mountain is a centennial thirteener located deep in the heart of the San Juans. Its north face presents one the most complicated routefinding challenges of any of Colorado's high peaks. Fifth class moves are required to get to the summit. It looks broken, fragmented...<strong><em>jagged</em></strong>. But maybe the hardest part about Jagged, at least this year, is just getting to it. Despite a heavy monsoonal flow and lousy forecast this past week, I thought I'd get myself into the Weminuche and see if I could catch a window to climb it.</p>
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<p>There are three or four ways to get to the north face of Jagged. All of them are hard. I chose this time to come in from the west, via a trail that starts at Durango Mountain Resort. My plan was to dedicate three days to this endeavor.</p>
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<p>In a perfect world, my plan would shake out like this</p>
<p>Day 1 - travel up into the No Name Creek basin as far as I can before weather hits.</p>
<p>Day 2 - summit Jagged, pick up camp and move to the Ruby Creek basin.</p>
<p>Day 3 - summit Pigeon and Turret and hike out.</p>
<p>Knowing this was an aggressive plan, I was at least hoping to grab one summit.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806526750?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806526750?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-right"/></a>Wary of a terrible forecast that called for 70-80% chance of thunderstorms over the next few days, I set out before sunrise on Wednesday and started hammering out the miles. For this trip, I packed light - 28 pounds by the time it was all said and done. This enabled me to click off 20 minute miles all the way to the Durango & Silverton train stop in Needleton, some 11 miles later. Up to this point, the trail had been quite agreeable - smooth, easy to follow, soft, wide, and not too steep. Unfortunately, this was where my quasi-bushwhack began. </p>
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<p>For three more miles on the Animas, I dodged, ducked, dove, dug, and...dodged...everything in my way as I followed an on-again, off-again series of paths and trails. After crossing the Pigeon, Ruby, and No Name Creeks as they emptied into Animas, the fun ramped up yet again. </p>
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<p>Noon had finally struck, and ominous clouds had begun to lurk behind the protection of the Animas canyon. I knew setting up camp on the banks of the Animas at 9,000' meant there would be no chance of a summit the following day, so I pushed ahead up the steeply climbing No Name basin as the drops began. First in sprinkles, then drizzle, then graupel, hail, and every other form of precipitation imaginable. Finally, after 18 miles and 9 hours, I set up my makeshift shelter while the heavens continued to open upon me. Somehow I kept most of my backpack's contents dry, and was able to crawl into my sleeping bag and squelch the convulsions that had been plaguing me since the raindrops had turned to sheets an hour before.</p>
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<p>Once in my cocoon, I began processing my options. I had only made it to about 10,500' in No Name Basin. If the weather broke, I decided I would pack up camp and try to go higher before dark. If not, I would just get an earlier start the next morning. Of course, this all depended on the storm stopping....which...it didn't. Not until just before sunrise.</p>
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<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806527058?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806527058?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a>With so much precipitation overnight, I was concerned. Wet rock isn't exactly good rock to climb, and even with a sunny morning, I still wouldn't know until I saw Jagged's north face. Nonetheless, I put my best rain gear on and got moving again on Friday morning. Yuck. All the vegetation in the basin was soaked, and I got to hike through ALL of it. Furthermore, the sun was playing hide-and-go-seek with me. It would improbably pop out through five layers of clouds, then disappear again. Any minute looked like the skies could open up. Any minute looked like it could become a day on the beach. I can't say my mood was positive at this time, and my pace slowed to a crawl. </p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806527494?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806527494?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-right"/></a>Crawl or not, I did eventually gain Jagged Pass. What I saw from the pass confirmed what I already had assumed - Jagged's north face was covered in a fresh, shiny, soaking wet coat of awfulness. It was 11:18AM. No summit was in the cards. Now the fun really began. </p>
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<p>The weather, which seemed to be keeping its options open, had finally decided to commit fully to being sucky. I knew I didn't have much time, so I double-timed my descent in hopes I could at least get back to my campsite somewhat dry, let alone not singed to a crisp by lightning. I did manage to beat most of the moisture, but then got to spend the next many hours waiting for my chance to pick up camp. That chance never came, as the rain and thunder kept coming well into the afternoon. By the time it subsided, I was done. Tapped out. Ready to go home.</p>
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<p>Go home I did on Saturday morning. The 18 mile approach found a way to feel longer on the way out. I didn't even have the energy to feel relief when I was done.</p>
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<p>So what did I get out of this experience? A few things, I suppose. 44 miles in 3 days can't hurt for Pikes training. Maybe a healthier respect for monsoon weather. Maybe more trust in my decision-making abilities, because any decision that keeps you alive is a good decision.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p></p>Secret Recipetag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-07-18:5021591:BlogPost:5766542014-07-18T21:30:00.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p><a href="http://www.14ers.com/photos/pikespeak/200611_Pikes16a_l.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://www.14ers.com/photos/pikespeak/200611_Pikes16a_l.jpg?width=150" width="150"></img></a> Pikes training is a blast. Seriously, it's so much more complex and intricate than your standard 16-week canned marathon plan. There are so many things one can do to prepare, and so many ways to leave oneself wondering if enough has been done! It doesn't matter if you're an elite, grizzled middle-of-the-pack vet, or newbie just hoping to hit the cutoffs...there's always something more to be…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.14ers.com/photos/pikespeak/200611_Pikes16a_l.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.14ers.com/photos/pikespeak/200611_Pikes16a_l.jpg?width=150" width="150" class="align-right"/></a>Pikes training is a blast. Seriously, it's so much more complex and intricate than your standard 16-week canned marathon plan. There are so many things one can do to prepare, and so many ways to leave oneself wondering if enough has been done! It doesn't matter if you're an elite, grizzled middle-of-the-pack vet, or newbie just hoping to hit the cutoffs...there's always something more to be done.</p>
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<p>Of all the training one can do to prepare for Pikes, I just wanted to share one specific little tidbit that I think is oft-overlooked. Heck, I would say that of all the things one can do to get faster at almost any distance, the following may be the least done yet most effective of them all - the LT run.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Lactate Threshold</em></strong> - ok, so lets say you're out for a stroll. Your body takes in oxygen, puts it in your red blood cells, delivers it to your muscles. Your muscles do some magical turn-oxygen-into-wine type stuff and everyone is happy. Start walking a bit faster and your muscles get in line and ask for a little more oxygen. After all, they're doing more work because you're asking them to. Giving them this oxygen allows them to flush out the waste they are producing and therefore make you continue to feel chipper. The least you can do for them is breathe a little faster and give them what they're asking for, right? </p>
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<p>WELL, eventually you hit a point where it doesn't matter how fast you breathe or how much oxygen you deliver to your muscles. They're using as much as they can as quickly as they can, and NOW they have to turn to other mechanisms to deliver the output you demand of them. The thing is, once you begin dipping into these other systems (you may hear the word "anaerobic" being thrown around), your days (well, minutes, actually) are numbered. Your muscles are producing more crap than can be removed by your blood cells. For a short while, you can grin and bear it, but eventually you have no choice but to cry uncle as the pain causes you to slow down, stop, quit, collapse, cry for mommy, or ultimately own you in some way, shape, or form.</p>
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<p>So, that pace where your muscles are producing precisely as much crap as you are flushing out is called your Lactate Threshold. Other terms have been applied to it as well, but we're going to go with "LT" for purposes of this post. For well-trained folks, they can hang out at this threshold for quite a while, maybe even a half-marathon distance. This magical pace is definitely slower than a 5k. LT pace feels uncomfortable but, at least for a while, not unbearable. You would not want to carry on a conversation at this pace, but you could squeeze out a few words if need be. There are other unscientific ways of measuring this pace. I have found that for me, a HR of 160-165 usually puts me in that zone. Do the math, carry the four, cross-simplify, and I guess a rule of thumb is that as you approach 87-90% of max HR you're about in the right spot.</p>
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<p>Great, so what does that mean for me? asks the reader. Well theoretically, if you spend some time hanging out in this zone on your runs(but not faster - you're working a different system then), your LT should get faster. In other words, you should be able to run faster while staying aerobic if you spend time right at that threshold.</p>
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<p>So how MUCH time? And when? Good question. One needs to find time to do Max VO2 work. (typically called "speedwork") Hills are important for strength. Neuromuscular firing-up can't be overlooked. And heavy aerobic days, aka the long run is critical. So how do you fit LT work in?</p>
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<p>Depending on what I'm training for, I make sure I hit LT at LEAST 1x every ten days or so. For longer mountain and ultra stuff, I think it's even more important than regular Max VO2. My bread and butter LT workouts are done in two varieties.</p>
<ul>
<li>One of them is the steady-state. A typical steady state for me will be done on something like the Santa Fe trail. 5 mile warm-up at 8:30 to 9:00 pace, turn around, and go 2 miles at 6:30-6:40, jog easy for a half mile, and do 2 more miles at that quicker pace. (Depending on how fast you are, your LT pace is likely 2-ish minutes per mile slower than your optimal recovery pace)</li>
<li>The other one I like involves shorter intervals with short recovery. I'll go up to a place like the Stratton Reservoir where there's a flat 1000-meter loop. I'll click off 2 sets of 5 of them at a HR of up to 165 with 60 seconds walking recovery between them. This way, I keep dipping into and out of that magical place.</li>
</ul>
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<p>The best part of these two workouts is that if done right, you feel like you could do more. They leave you feeling hungry, not spent. This lends credence to the coachspeak of "train smarter, not harder". It also plays into the training mantra of Stress. Recover. Adapt. LT runs have a low recovery cost compared to Max VO2, hill/strength, and neuromuscular uberfast stuff.</p>
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<p>Dr. Jack Daniels says it <a href="http://youtu.be/F1FPuqy9iu8" target="_blank">a little more geekily</a> than I do, so if my babble is nothing but confusing, check him out.</p>
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<p>Of course, LT runs are just part of a much larger picture. But without them, you may be leaving some of your potential on the shelf.</p>
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<p></p>Slackertag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-07-12:5021591:BlogPost:5766512014-07-12T15:00:00.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>Although I know there's value in it, there is a part of me that feels kind of silly writing a race report for the Summer Roundup. Why? I purposely treated it like any other day - I didn't go to bed early the night before, did no special hydration, didn't dwell on my splits or feel the need to memorize the course in the preceding week. I didn't taper for it, didn't wear racing flats, didn't do the standard pre-race warmup routine. I just showed up, ran, and had a great time with my Purple…</p>
<p>Although I know there's value in it, there is a part of me that feels kind of silly writing a race report for the Summer Roundup. Why? I purposely treated it like any other day - I didn't go to bed early the night before, did no special hydration, didn't dwell on my splits or feel the need to memorize the course in the preceding week. I didn't taper for it, didn't wear racing flats, didn't do the standard pre-race warmup routine. I just showed up, ran, and had a great time with my Purple and Gold brethren.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508964?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508964?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Not to say I didn't run as hard as I could when I did.</p>
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<p>But from a training standpoint, I'm nowhere near race-ready. I won't be at any time during the course of this year, as far as I can tell. That's OK, though. I have simply (subconsciously, I guess) decided that to try dialing in to the last 1% of peak performance when my first 99% severely lacks is nothing short of ridiculous. Kinda like your neighbor. You know the guy. Somewhat overweight sortatriathlete. Hates running, but likes to hammer his bike. Super proud of the $20k he just dropped on a new carbon-fiber frame that's 6 ounces lighter than his last one. Convinced this is the key to faster race performance. Nevermind cutting out the extra beers and donuts. That's where I'm coming from - why bother with the little things when I'm not dialing in to the big things?</p>
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<p>The roundup. The gun went off. I ran hard. I finished. When I looked at the results, I saw some familiar names near mine - a sign that I am continuing to gain fitness. I moved up a couple of spots in the Triple Crown standings as well - from 18th to 13th. I would expect that trend to continue once the Mountain is added in there. Maybe I'll crack the top 10. One can hope.</p>
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<p>It IS a nice feeling to be 'returning to form'. Whereas in March I couldn't even fathom an eight-minute mile let alone another sub-3:00 PPA, I now know that barring anything stupid, I'll be back there by next year. 2015's calendar has already been filled with what I hope to be some strong performances by this soon-to-be 40 year old. There's still plenty of 2014 left for rebuilding that foundation of fitness, though. Pikes weekend is part of that process, and with the Roundup in the rearview, it's time to start wrapping my head around "America's Ultimate Challenge". </p>37,572'tag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-07-04:5021591:BlogPost:5724922014-07-04T14:56:46.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p><a href="http://www.swarpa.net/~danforth/photos/4pass/map_maroon.gif" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://www.swarpa.net/~danforth/photos/4pass/map_maroon.gif?width=200" width="200"></img></a> This past week, some of my best college buddies came out to visit. I had scared up a vision for us to casually hike the Elk Range's Four Pass loop, knowing that in a normal year we may have to deal with a little bit of snow near the passes. Our plan called for some fairly low-key hiking - we had budgeted three days to complete the loop. Once we got into Aspen, we learned one of the passes…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.swarpa.net/~danforth/photos/4pass/map_maroon.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.swarpa.net/~danforth/photos/4pass/map_maroon.gif?width=200" width="200" class="align-left"/></a>This past week, some of my best college buddies came out to visit. I had scared up a vision for us to casually hike the Elk Range's Four Pass loop, knowing that in a normal year we may have to deal with a little bit of snow near the passes. Our plan called for some fairly low-key hiking - we had budgeted three days to complete the loop. Once we got into Aspen, we learned one of the passes was....unpassable. So we modified the plan to make it the "Three Pass Horseshoe with a Shuttle". Due to a variety of factors, we didn't even make it over West Maroon Pass. While we didn't complete our objective, we did have a blast hiking and camping and catching up with old friends.</p>
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<p>One theme made itself apparent on this voyage. Out here in Colorado, we specialize in the extreme...and don't even bat an eye over it. Don't believe me? All of the following came up during the course of our hike and each one was met with a "dude...that's not normal" response from one of my sea-level brothers.</p>
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<p><strong>1)People run this loop.</strong> The Four Pass loop is a mini-<a href="http://www.r2r2r.org/" target="_blank">Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim</a> destination run for ultrarunners. It is one of Colorado's finest, especially during wildflower season or when the aspens are changing color. While the vast majority of Fourpassers take two to three nights to 'enjoy' the scenery, someone with a solid amount of mountain running fitness can knock it out in eight hours or less. Lance Armstrong ran it in 5h40min. Running machines Ricky Gates, Tony Krupicka, and Sage Canady have completed it in 4h35min, 4h46min, and 4h27min respectively.</p>
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<p><strong>2)The Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon Double.</strong> Typically, over 100 Ascent participants come back the next day and run the Marathon. That's about 5% of the entire Ascent field or 15% of the Marathon field. Running in these races doesn't really seem that extreme once you've done it or you've surrounded yourself with others who do it. But to my sea level buddies, their response when I encouraged them to give it a shot was something along the lines of, "uhm....are you crazy? Oh yeah, you ARE crazy! YOU actually think it's fun!" Evidently, most runners from the other 49 states may think that the Ascent is ridiculous, the Marathon moreso, and the Double is just plain crazy.</p>
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<p>3)<strong>Trail thru-hikes and FKTs.</strong> Last September, Denver ultrarunner Scott Jaime busted out this 486-mile ribbon in 8 days, 7 hours. 60+ miles a day over mountainous terrain for over a week. 99.9% of all people will never in one week travel as much as Scott did in one of these days. I told them 'normal' people may do it in 15-20 days if they put the hammer down. I of course was called out on this. We stopped in Salida for a night and ran into a ton of Continental Divide Trail thru-hikers. Some moved faster than others (one guy was clipping along at just under 40 miles a day) but they were all attempting to cover this 3,100 mile trail in one summer. Normal people don't walk a marathon daily for nearly a month at a time. Maybe they should...</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508701?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508701?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-right"/></a>4)<strong>Incline Feats of <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Stupidity</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Insanity</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Masochism</span> Stuff.</strong> Hmmm, where do we start here? Just doing the Incline once is enough for most of my lowlander friends. "That's the hardest thing ever!" or "Who would ever do that more than once???" or "Sean, I hate you" are the most common responses I hear upon buddies completing our little staircase of a friend. Thing is, EVERYONE in El Paso county has done it. I mean, go there any weekend morning and you'll actually see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Paso_County,_Colorado" target="_blank">THE ENTIRE COUNTY</a> there. Of course, there are people who scoff at doing one lap. Roger Austin's 719 in 365 days doesn't even look that insane now that Greg Cummings has done 1,000 in 250. Rumors of sub-20-minute laps abound, and a lucky few people have even seen what that looks like when Matt comes bounding by just past the false summit. Fred Baxter and Brandon Stepanowich both raised the <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">stupidity</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">insanity</span> stuff bar by completing the "Inclinathon" in 2012 - 13 laps up AND down for a total of 26 miles. </p>
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<p>I guess that's not enough - beginning today at noon, Brandon will attempt the 24 hour Ultrainclinathon. IF he completes 19 laps before noon tomorrow, he could become the world record holder for most vertical feet climbed in a 24 hour period. (the current known best is 37,572' by Robert Webb of Mt. Shasta, California) I am sharing this because up until hiking with my friends last week, I didn't even register how incredibly crazy this is. We're talking 6 billion people here who have never made this happen, and right in our backyard one of our own will attempt to push what the human body can do to a place that is <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">stupid</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">insane</span> nearly impossible to comprehend. If you are out on the Incline today, look for Brandon and cheer him on!</p>
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<p> </p>
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<p></p>Labelstag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-06-22:5021591:BlogPost:5695402014-06-22T18:31:25.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>There are many types of runners.</p>
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<p><strong>Recreational runners.</strong> The lion's share of people who run probably fall into this category. They run a couple times a week, maybe at the <a href="http://jackquinnsrunners.ning.com/" target="_blank">Jack's Quinn run</a> or a familiar neighborhood loop. Maybe they're training for a 10k in a couple of months. For them, running is fun, but hey, who has time to run all the time when you've got a job and a family and a 45-minute…</p>
<p>There are many types of runners.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Recreational runners.</strong> The lion's share of people who run probably fall into this category. They run a couple times a week, maybe at the <a href="http://jackquinnsrunners.ning.com/" target="_blank">Jack's Quinn run</a> or a familiar neighborhood loop. Maybe they're training for a 10k in a couple of months. For them, running is fun, but hey, who has time to run all the time when you've got a job and a family and a 45-minute commute? Most common footwear: who knows. Vibrams to Air Jordans to the $40 Nikes from Big 5 Sporting Goods.</p>
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<p><strong>Roadies</strong>. OK, these guys are serious. You can find them on the Santa Fe trail, busting out insane mile repeats a couple times a week. It's a given that they race in singlets and not t-shirts. They're into the science and pacing of every mile they ever run. If there's an obscure 5k in Arvada on Saturday offering a $100 purse and another one in Trinidad on Sunday, they're at both. Most common footwear: Racing flats from whatever big name shoe company sponsors them.</p>
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<p><strong><a href="http://geekturnedrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bloody-nipples2.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://geekturnedrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bloody-nipples2.jpeg?width=200" width="200" class="align-right"/></a>Marathoners</strong>. This is a separate group that contains both the uber-competitive and the not-so-competitive. Many recreational runners that decide they need a goal to shoot for will sign up for a destination marathon and become this person. Every Sunday, they meet with some sort of group and knock out a 15-20ish mile long, slow run in town. Some of them may run enough to start worrying about pavement. These guys seem to carry the most Plantar, Achilles, shin splints, and IT band overuse injuries. Most common shoe: Nike, Asics, Saucony.</p>
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<p>In 90% of the country, nearly every runner can be placed in one of the three categories above. Here in Colorado, though, a unique set of factors - altitude, crappy roads, lack of flats, abundance of wilderness - has us even further splintered.</p>
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<p><strong>Trail runners.</strong> OK, maybe this isn't it's own group as much as an occasional treat for others. Either that or it serves as a gateway to the next category. To be clear, a trail runner despises pavement and fears no hills. Section 16, Palmer Park, North Cheyenne Canon, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Spruce Mountain, Mount Herman Fire Road trails...the list of possibilities around here goes on and on. Running the Santa Fe Trail, however, does not make one a trail runner. Most common footwear: the trail model of the big-name brand, i.e. Brooks Cascadia.</p>
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<p><strong>Mountain runners.</strong> This is the group here in the Springs that does the Pikes Peak Ascent and maybe the Marathon. It's all about running TRAILS up mountains. USA Track and Field even has its own separate championships for mountain running, and the course alternates between uphill and both up/down every other year. Elites don't bother, but the middle of the pack can be spotted easily because they wear gaiters. Footwear is drastically different for these guys. New Balance, Inov8, La Sportiva, Soloman. </p>
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<p><strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jjGDJI0UYU/T5p-J7e5mnI/AAAAAAAAEbg/Rnsyw3uLqso/s1600/krupicka-anton-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jjGDJI0UYU/T5p-J7e5mnI/AAAAAAAAEbg/Rnsyw3uLqso/s1600/krupicka-anton-1.jpg?width=200" width="200" class="align-left"/></a>Ultra runners.</strong> Crazy. Weird. Antisocial. These guys generally will point to something far off in the distance and then dare each other to run to it. Distance and pace don't matter; it's all about time on feet. Anything that involves any of the habits of the above groups is avoided out of principle. Ultra runners don't believe in tapering, heart rate zones, or periodization. They will wear cotton simply to make themselves tougher or to show that gear doesn't matter. A normal Sunday run may involve running from Manitou to the summit of Pikes down to the Crags and then back. They are dirt slow, but they run forever.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806502963?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806502963?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-left"/></a>In all of this stereotyping and categorization, I realize none of these categories quite fit my passion: running, hiking, and scrambling in order to get up and down all sorts of peaks. A good example of this would be the standard route up Capitol Peak - its a 17-mile round trip. Most hikers and peak baggers will slog in a 40 lb backpack 7 miles to Capitol Lake so they're closer to the summit the next morning. A trip up and down Capitol is usually a whole weekend's affair. However, if you run the trail to Capitol Lake, you suddenly just have a couple miles of real hiking/scrambling left and plenty of time to do it. Running in the mountains opens up a whole new world as you can get to the summit quickly enough to have the rest of the day to recover, enjoy, and do it again the next day. Not many people do this yet...but this sub-faction of sub-faction of runners is growing. Elites like Tony Krupicka and Kilian Jornet have inspired many ultrarunners to venture into the trail-less, more adventuresome aspect of endurance sport. With Kilian's <a href="http://www.summitsofmylife.com/" target="_blank">sub-12 hour ROUND-TRIP of McKinley</a> last week, the line between he and legendary mountaineers like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzjpQF0_55A&feature=kp" target="_blank">Ueli Steck</a> is blurring. Don't be fooled, though. This style of "running" isn't just for superhumans and elites. I invite you to give it a shot. Get a hydration vest, pack an extra layer or two, and head over to Quandary. Run when you can. Hike when you can't. You'll be up and down before most folks are halfway up, and home relaxing in time to do it again the next day! I will call this hybrid <strong>mountainrunning</strong>. One word.</p>
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<p></p>Hidingtag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-06-15:5021591:BlogPost:5671052014-06-15T20:42:19.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>Well, it's been a week since my crushing defeat by J.T. at the Garden 10 Miler. I've assumed a new name, nationality, and residence. Hopefully the shame won't haunt my descendants for centuries.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Hut Trip</strong></p>
<p>We went on our annual Cheyenne Mountain HS cross-country summer trip earlier this week. 32 kids and 4 coaches marched up to the Shrine Mountain Inn huts just off of Vail Pass and planned for the season for three days and two nights. If you're a…</p>
<p>Well, it's been a week since my crushing defeat by J.T. at the Garden 10 Miler. I've assumed a new name, nationality, and residence. Hopefully the shame won't haunt my descendants for centuries.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Hut Trip</strong></p>
<p>We went on our annual Cheyenne Mountain HS cross-country summer trip earlier this week. 32 kids and 4 coaches marched up to the Shrine Mountain Inn huts just off of Vail Pass and planned for the season for three days and two nights. If you're a Coloradan and haven't done a hut trip yet, this needs to be remedied. </p>
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<p><strong>Durango, Silverton, and the San Juans</strong></p>
<p>Straight from the huts, I drove down to Durango on Wednesday. I was able to hit a Wednesday evening trail run with a good 30 folks from the <a href="http://durangorunningclub.org/" target="_blank">Durango Running Club</a>. Afterward, some of us met up for dinner and beer at <a href="http://www.carverbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Carver Brewing Company</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806507916?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806507916?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>I had a couple of climbing goals for my time out west - namely 13,894' <a href="http://13ers.com/peaks/peak.php?peakkey=350&peak=Vermilion+Peak" target="_blank">Vermillion Peak</a>. I spent Thursday getting lost driving to the trailhead for nearby Jones and Niagara Peaks. I ended up parking and just hiking up the nearest hill until I got a good look at everything around me. On Friday, I fixed my driving error and got a chance to climb Niagara and Jones. Niagara even had a spicy double-corniced ridge to its summit...it definitely had my attention!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508809?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508809?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>The western terminus of the Colorado Trail is just outside of Durango at the Junction Creek trailhead. I decided to go for an easy run Saturday on the CT - beautiful trail. I would love to see more of it. Hike it? Run it? Honestly, I don't care how I see it as long as I get to see it!</p>
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<p>This morning, I finally did accomplish my primary goal for the week - summiting Vermillion Peak. It was a long day, complete with 4:15 start. I spent most of the day in crampons, and the snow conditions deteriorated too quickly (or maybe I'm just not quick enough) for a chance at Golden Horn. One less challenging Centennial to go!</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509051?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509051?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509350?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509350?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806517430?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806517430?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806517719?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806517719?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Side note: Despite losing to J.T., I was somewhat pleased with how last Sunday's race went. I finally got to get the haven't-raced monkey off my back, and my foot gave me no problems during or afterward. While I hate to say I raced it, I couldn't have gone much faster.</p>Deathtag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-06-07:5021591:BlogPost:5634702014-06-07T16:36:16.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>If you're the type that likes to boil everything down to its bare essence, then yesterday was a pretty darn good day for you. After all, in a head-to-head match with death, you won 1 to 0. Heck, you and I both have quite the streak going vs. that guy. I believe I'm winning the battle, 14,277 to 0. </p>
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<p>Problem is, the game is over when death wins once. Kind of unfair the way that works, but whaddyagonnado?</p>
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<p>Death isn't the only one that works this way. So does…</p>
<p>If you're the type that likes to boil everything down to its bare essence, then yesterday was a pretty darn good day for you. After all, in a head-to-head match with death, you won 1 to 0. Heck, you and I both have quite the streak going vs. that guy. I believe I'm winning the battle, 14,277 to 0. </p>
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<p>Problem is, the game is over when death wins once. Kind of unfair the way that works, but whaddyagonnado?</p>
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<p>Death isn't the only one that works this way. So does <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/photo/gman" target="_blank">this guy</a>. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.teamcrud.com/pix/misc/jt_mug_shot1.jpg" target="_blank">This guy</a>. </p>
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<p><a href="http://pittbrownie.blogspot.com/2014/05/beer-130.html" target="_blank">This guy</a>. </p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806504104?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806504104?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>THIS GUY.</p>
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<p>Another local crazy, Brooks, despite being a burden to society in every conceivable way, has done some pretty impressive things. He sports a PR at the 100 mile distance of under 15 hours. He has finished top 10 at Leadville. He has done this despite dealing with a fun little malady called CF. I would even go as far as to say <a href="http://brookswilliams.blogspot.com/2010/05/misc-publicity.html" target="_blank">he's kind of a big deal</a> - that is, if it was guaranteed that those words never got back to him. Simply put, Brooks gets it done at ultra distances.</p>
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<p>So why would I bring up Brooks when I'm trying to demonize JT? Simple. Lets rewind a bit, shall we?</p>
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<p>March 12, 2010. The night before the Salida Run Through Time Marathon. Brooks is ascendant - he has just come off of his best 100-mile performance yet, 17 hours and change down in Texas. As is the norm, Brooks had time to go back to his hotel, shower, sleep for a few hours, get pretty, come back to the finish line and cheer JT in. Rivalry? There is no rivalry here. Brooks is in another league. Which is good for him, because once JT has a few beers in him, he'll trash talk Galen Rupp.</p>
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<p>Here's the problem. Brooks is battling a pretty nasty flu. He's flat. Tired. Knows he maybe should not race the marathon. Pride drives him on, though. Hanging out with JT in Salida, he knows that if he doesn't run tomorrow, JT will never, ever, EVER let him forget. So, after dinner, he does what any responsible runner would do - he goes to sleep to make sure he's well-rested for the next day's trials. JT calls him a couple of flattering titles, and heads to all of Salida's finest establishments. Rumor has it he is seen emptying liquor cabinets in more than one dive. By 4:00 in the morning, he staggers back to the Simple Lodge, where he proceeds to wake up every other soul in the bunk room he's in, including Brooks. Miraculously, JT finds enough coordination in himself to locate his race bib and even gets his fishing hat put on straight.</p>
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<p>You know what happens next. Brooks's CF flares up. He can hardly breathe. JT somehow senses the weakness through his haze and powers on like the <a href="http://toyrificracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/win2.jpg" target="_blank">alcohol-injected drag racer</a> he is, and crosses the line nearly a full half hour before Brooks.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806504170?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806504170?profile=original" width="200" class="align-left"/></a>This happened over four years ago. Brooks has defeated JT at least two dozen times since then. The closest JT came was the one time he finished on the same day. Yet, in their many hundreds of encounters over the past four years that I have witnessed, I cannot recall a single time where this fact was not brought up to Brooks. JT has beaten him. He broke him. And he did it in the most remarkable, rub-your-face-in-it fashion one could possibly imagine. Even had JT used a walker, the story couldn't get better for him and worse for Brooks.</p>
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<p>Fast-forward to today.</p>
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<p>I'm not so competitive that I hate all people who beat me. That would suck. If you beat me, good for you! Unless you're JT. I've made it this far without the life-long pockmark of that PBR-fueled slug holding that over me, and I don't plan to start tomorrow. Problem is, the Garden Ten Miler is quite possibly the best possible scenario for this to happen. </p>
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<p>I'm low-hanging fruit. A marked man. The old, sick buffalo in the herd. </p>
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<p>I have to show up. I have to race. <strong> I can only hope that miracles happen and I can beat the living, drinking, trash-talking incarnation of death one more time.</strong></p>
<p></p>Cathedraltag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-06-04:5021591:BlogPost:5626102014-06-04T21:21:01.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>Three days into my first full week of summer, and I've managed to squeeze in a few more challenging days outside. On Monday, I drove down to the Sangres and climbed California Peak. Yesterday, it was time to see the Sawatch. I did an out-and-back over Carbonate Mountain, Cyclone Mountain, and Cronin Peak. Both of these climbs were considered "checkmarks" - climbs that offered opportunities to get in shape, but without much technical challenge.</p>
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<p>This morning, however, I had…</p>
<p>Three days into my first full week of summer, and I've managed to squeeze in a few more challenging days outside. On Monday, I drove down to the Sangres and climbed California Peak. Yesterday, it was time to see the Sawatch. I did an out-and-back over Carbonate Mountain, Cyclone Mountain, and Cronin Peak. Both of these climbs were considered "checkmarks" - climbs that offered opportunities to get in shape, but without much technical challenge.</p>
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<p>This morning, however, I had the chance to enjoy a classic peak that doesn't give itself up easily - 13,943' Cathedral Peak in the Elk Range.</p>
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<p>Kim Dobson's husband, Corey, had contacted me a while ago about getting together for a Centennial peak. We both thought having a partner for something like Cathedral would be a good idea, so we decided to meet at the trailhead for a 3:30 "alpine start". Since most of the route would cover wide-open snowfields, we knew we had to be up and down before the morning sun started baking things. </p>
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<p>The snow game is a fun one - you don't want your snow bulletproof when you ascend a couloir, as that forces you to kick harder and definitely ups the consequences if you slip. At the same time, soft snow can lead to postholing and wet slides. One of those is a pain, and the other is flat-out dangerous. So what you end up trying to do is time your climb perfectly - hit the couloir just as the snow begins to soften, get to the summit, and get out before you sink. On nights like last night, which called for a forecasted low in the area of 37 degrees, you don't ever know what the snow will be like. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806516488?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806516488?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a> </p>
<p>We made quick work of the approach, reaching 11,850' Cathedral Lake just before sunrise. We continued ascending the wide open basin until the base of the 13,000' couloir leading to Cathedral's south ridge. As you can see in the above picture, there has been plenty of recent wet slide activity. Things are heating up in the high country!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806517762?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806517762?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Above is Corey getting ready to top out of the couloir. In the background, you can see the still-very-frozen Cathedral Lake. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806518613?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806518613?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Once on the ridge, we were reminded that we were in the Elks, which are known for terribly rotten, loose rock. The reason some people climb Cathedral in the springtime is to avoid rockfall danger when ascending this couloir when it's free of snow. We only had a couple hundred feet left to scamper, and when we got to the summit at 7:30 we were reminded of why we do this.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806520393?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806520393?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Up at 13,943', it's still a winter wonderland in every direction.</p>
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<p>Corey and I didn't linger long, as we didn't want to end up stuck in quicksand on the return trip. W were back at the car by 10:00AM and ready to start the day.</p>
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<p>My foot is holding up well. I haven't experienced much soreness over the last three days, which has seen me put in roughly 28 miles and 14,000' of vertical. If I tried running that much in three days, my foot would be screaming at me. Speaking of running...I guess I've got a race in 4 days. Gulp. Much like the ostrich-in-danger fallacy, I figure if I just don't think about it, it will go away. Right? No, I am prepared for a slow, painful jaunt through the Garden. I've got a few more days left on my hall pass before Sunday, though, so we'll see what else I get done before then! </p>Grandtag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-05-26:5021591:BlogPost:5604622014-05-26T12:30:00.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>May signals the beginning of summer here on the Front Range. Up in the mountains, however, it's prime snow climbing season. For a short period of time, temperatures up high consistently rise above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night. This causes snow that has been deposited in shallow gulleys or couloirs to repeatedly freeze, thaw, and freeze again. This in turn stabilizes the snow and makes it safe - and fun - to ascend, provided you have the proper gear. Often…</p>
<p>May signals the beginning of summer here on the Front Range. Up in the mountains, however, it's prime snow climbing season. For a short period of time, temperatures up high consistently rise above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night. This causes snow that has been deposited in shallow gulleys or couloirs to repeatedly freeze, thaw, and freeze again. This in turn stabilizes the snow and makes it safe - and fun - to ascend, provided you have the proper gear. Often times, routes that are not possible during the summer months open up during this short window.</p>
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<p>Not wanting to miss out on any opportunities to hit some of this good snow, I talked <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us" target="_blank">pikespeaksports.us</a> poster child <a href="http://www.pikespeaksports.us/profile/BrandonStapanowich?xg_source=profiles_memberList" target="_blank">Brandon Stapanowich</a><span> into joining me for a climb of the Grand Couloir on the <a href="http://13ers.com/peaks/peak.php?peakkey=980&peak=Mt.+Aetna" target="_blank">Sawatch thirteener Mt. Aetna</a>. </span></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806506754?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806506754?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>The trailhead was right off of U.S. Highway 50 on the way up to Monarch Pass. In fact, we parked about a quarter mile from the <a href="http://www.unitedcountry.com/picturesx/05028-25917-2853502.jpg" target="_blank">abandoned motel</a>. For anyone who has ever been to the <a href="http://www.lostwonderhut.com/" target="_blank">Lost Wonder Hut</a>, our approach followed the same road for about 2 miles of slushy mess before coming to the base of the couloir.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806506754?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508154?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>"Why this couloir on some mountain I've never heard of?" you may be asking. Well...#1, Aetna is a "Bicentennial", meaning it is one of Colorado's 200 highest peaks. Just like the Fourteeners, <a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Content/customlists.php?lid=305" target="_blank">the Bicentennials</a> is a list of peaks that some people choose to go after. #2 - the picture above shows something you can't find anywhere else in the state of Colorado - an uninterrupted 3,000' vertical line of snow. There's a reason it's called the Grand Couloir!</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508401?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508401?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Brandon had never worn crampons or used an ice axe before. The Grand proved to be a perfect snow climb for a first-timer. The slope never exceeded 45 degrees. After a few practice self-arrests, we were off and up, up, up.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508632?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806508632?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509249?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509249?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>The forecast called for overcast skies, with rain or snow likely by 10AM. Must've been for some other mountain; the sun was out and softening up our line from the moment it rose. While we weren't overly concerned about wet slides on our way up, it did keep us hustling so we could get down before the whole line turned to mush.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509406?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="500" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806509406?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="500" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>As expected, our time spent on the summit was relaxing. The view of the Shavano group to our northeast kept us on top for about fifteen minutes before we began the trip back to the car...a trip that only took about that long because it was spent entirely on our butts!</p>
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<p><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?pid=6017579735062058002&oid=117989907580097802719">https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?pid=6017579735062058002&oid=117989907580097802719</a></p>
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<p>Some of my best Pikes Peak Ascents have come during summers where I put more of a priority on climbing mountains than on running. The high altitude piece of Pikes is such a major aspect of that race. This is convenient for me and my continued foot rehabilitation, as 70-mile weeks would likely cause me to re-injure myself. Mixing longer hiking days with my runs will help with getting back my lateral mobility and strength. </p>
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<p>This was a Grand way to open up the summer!</p>Adventure Tourismtag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-05-18:5021591:BlogPost:5592542014-05-18T18:27:47.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the Garden of the Gods. Before I had ever set foot in the great state of Colorado, I knew the following about Colorado Springs.</p>
<p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/CC_COSPRINGS.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/CC_COSPRINGS.jpg?width=400" width="400"></img></a></p>
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<li>Pikes Peak is the most extreme mountain in the continental United States. <a href="http://yookreview.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/cliffhanger.jpg" target="_blank">Cliffhanger</a> may have…</li>
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<p>I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the Garden of the Gods. Before I had ever set foot in the great state of Colorado, I knew the following about Colorado Springs.</p>
<p><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/CC_COSPRINGS.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/CC_COSPRINGS.jpg?width=400" width="400" class="align-left"/></a></p>
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<li>Pikes Peak is the most extreme mountain in the continental United States. <a href="http://yookreview.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/cliffhanger.jpg" target="_blank">Cliffhanger</a> may have actually been filmed here.</li>
<li><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/2012_Summer_Olympics_Parade_of_Nations,_Team_GB.jpg" target="_blank">Every Olympic athlete</a> in the country lives and trains in Colorado Springs.</li>
<li>Colorado Springs is a suburb of Denver.</li>
<li>The Garden of the Gods is a National Park just outside of Colorado Springs <a href="http://cdn.naturalhighsafaris.com/cdn/made/cdn/uploads/country_images/Tanzania/Serengeti/serengeti-nomad-gol_940_529_80_s_c1.jpg" target="_blank">full of buffalo, antelope, and maybe even a sasquatch or two</a>.</li>
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<p>I've now been in the Springs for over a decade. Quickly I uncovered my misconceptions, which was a bit disappointing. Pikes does offer some fun snow climbs, such as the Y and Railroad couliors, but compared to many other high peaks in the state, its a gentle giant. I've occasionally run into guys like Apollo Ohno and Hunter Kemper on the trails, but the ratio of elite athletes to everyday joes here is still pretty thin. And while it only takes 15 minutes to get from Monument to Castle Rock, the cultural divide between 303 and 719 is not trivial.</p>
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<p>Perhaps the greatest disillusionment for me, however, has been accepting the Garden for what it is: a pretty cool geological phenomena that is usually overrun by gawkers and rubberneckers from Sioux City. Anyone who has moved to Colorado knows it's pretty darn easy to convince people from "back home" to come visit. Once they learn that we're many hours from most of the ski resorts, they usually become transfixed on being taken to the Garden. I oblige, but hold out hope that I can make them fall in love with one of our town's hidden gems - North Cheyenne Canyon, Red Rocks, Rampart Reservoir. </p>
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<p><a href="http://videogamecritic.com/images/coleco/donkey_kong.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://videogamecritic.com/images/coleco/donkey_kong.gif?width=200" width="200" class="align-right"/></a>Why the disdain? It probably stems from my days as a cyclist. I'm not sure what's more dangerous - trying to do a Garden loop in the summer, or riding against traffic on I-25. No matter how much signage is put up telling them not to, drivers constantly pull into the bike lane to park. Some, I'm convinced, do so simply because they await the opportunity to "door" me. It's like a game of Donkey Kong or something for them. Even when you get off the roads, your best view is usually of people viewing people viewing people viewing the rocks. </p>
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<p>Don't get me wrong. It's pretty. The park's trails are well maintained. The roads are immaculate. The <a href="http://www.glamrock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/whitelion.jpg" target="_blank">White Lyons</a>, Red Lyons, and Fountain Formation rock layers fascinate anyone trying to wrap their head around what that means.</p>
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<p><em><span class="font-size-5">In order to alleviate my frustration, I propose this. On June 8th, let's move the start time of the Garden 10 miler from 7AM to 2PM. Let's alter the course so that all 1,500 of us get to do multiple clockwise loops. Equip us all with lances - charred stumps from the nearby Waldo fire will do. Give the tourists no warning. Sweet revenge. With numbers, we can overwhelm them. Victory will be OURS!</span></em></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-5"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/jji8c.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/jji8c.png?width=600" width="600" class="align-center"/></a></span></p>
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<p>Maybe this is a bit extreme. Maybe I should hit the Garden early in the morning instead of mid-day. Maybe I should acknowledge my good fortune, living less than a mile away from some of the more beautiful urban backdrops in the entire country.</p>
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<p>Maybe, just maybe though, the idea of a 1,500 runner free-for-all cutting through the Garden at high tourist time might give you the satisfaction it gives me. </p>
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<p></p>Sanitytag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-05-13:5021591:BlogPost:5581912014-05-13T04:03:29.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>So there I was, just putting one foot in front of the other, minding my own business on some trail when BAM it hits me - THE MOST AMAZING THOUGHT EVER. Suddenly, life made sense. Or at least, whatever it was I was trying to figure out suddenly made sense. So, I put the thought just behind the forefront of my other thoughts, cataloged for later use.</p>
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<p>Whaddyaknow...up and over and around a few more bends, hills, nooks, crannies, and suddenly I have yet ANOTHER revelation. I'M…</p>
<p>So there I was, just putting one foot in front of the other, minding my own business on some trail when BAM it hits me - THE MOST AMAZING THOUGHT EVER. Suddenly, life made sense. Or at least, whatever it was I was trying to figure out suddenly made sense. So, I put the thought just behind the forefront of my other thoughts, cataloged for later use.</p>
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<p>Whaddyaknow...up and over and around a few more bends, hills, nooks, crannies, and suddenly I have yet ANOTHER revelation. I'M GENIUS!</p>
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<p>Of course, I have completely forgotten my first thought. I've even forgotten that I've forgotten it.</p>
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<p>When I get home, I feel amazing. Refreshed. Recharged. High on endorphins - what a run! So excited to share my newfound knowledge, insights, wisdom with anyone who will listen. And then it hits me...</p>
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<p>I have NO idea what I wanted to say. But I know it was awesome. It must have been, because I still feel the buzz from the run. No worries; I'm ready to take on the world now.</p>
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<p>And so it goes nearly every time we hit the trails. It's not about the solutions that come to us while we run. It's about the process of thinking while we're in our "good places". I suppose many people run for health or appearance or vanity. I run for sanity. </p>Crazylandtag:pikespeaksports.us,2014-05-04:5021591:BlogPost:5567252014-05-04T14:00:00.000ZSean O'Dayhttp://pikespeaksports.us/profile/SeanODay
<p>Like about 2,000 other people out there in crazyland, I hope to complete the <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Ascent</a> on August 16th. If things go well, I also hope to do the <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Marathon</a> the next morning. Nothing unique there - there are <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/regstats/2014/double_alf.htm" target="_blank">159 of us</a> signed up for…</p>
<p>Like about 2,000 other people out there in crazyland, I hope to complete the <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Ascent</a> on August 16th. If things go well, I also hope to do the <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Pikes Peak Marathon</a> the next morning. Nothing unique there - there are <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/regstats/2014/double_alf.htm" target="_blank">159 of us</a> signed up for <a href="http://www.skyrunner.com/ppresults/ppdouble.htm" target="_blank">both races</a>.</p>
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<p>I doubled <a href="http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/race_results/2011_pikes_peak_doublers.htm" target="_blank">once before</a> - in 2011. I always thought it was a silly idea. Still do, in fact. I'm not used to the idea of not racing when I'm not at my best. You could say that one way to ensure you're not at your best for a marathon is to do a 13 mile race up 7,800' of mountain the day before. On that weekend, I endured both the lows and highs one would expect from such a challenge. My Ascent goals were dashed by that evil spirit also known as treeline, yet the Marathon, which I had already given up on, went better than any expectation I could have ever had for it.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806505460?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806505460?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="252" class="align-center" height="175"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806524585?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806524585?profile=original" width="230" class="align-left" height="298"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806524908?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2806524908?profile=original" width="220" class="align-right" height="293"/></a>Since just doubling obviously wasn't hard enough, I thought I would throw in a wrinkle this year. I broke my fifth metatarsal back in October and am still on the long road to regaining my health and fitness. By now, I'm sick of talking about it, but the fact remains that it happened. A year ago at this time, I was running 70-mile weeks and not thinking twice about it. Earlier this week, I went for my first 60-minute run since I broke my foot. Needless to say, I have my work cut out for me this summer. </p>
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<p>There will be no PRs this year. No overall or age group placing. If things go well, I will finish both races with a smile and no further injury. Heck, if I'm lucky I may end up 1st in the screw-in-his-foot division.</p>
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<p>The story I will be sharing this summer is the one of my recovery. Humility. Self-reflection. Perspective. Maybe a little self-degradation peppered in there for good measure. Regardless, I believe my journey is worth sharing. I hope you will agree.</p>