Race to the sky week 4...Time to keep moving.

Well, here it is, New years eve (morning) just having finished up my last run of the year. Needless to say, it went out roaring like a lion with 40/50 mph wind gusts and some precipitation. All good none the less. Though Abbey might have other thoughts.

And as I shift my thoughts forward, I do have to look back on a pretty amazing year both travel and running/race wise. After putting it on the back burner for over twenty years, I finally boarded that plane to Nepal. This had been one that I'd planned on and kept putting off in favor of other destinations. And while I really can't sum it up in few lines, the wait was certainly worth it. From Kathmandu to Everest Base camp. One of these days if there is enough interest I'll have a slide show.

My goal this year run, race wise was an ultra marathon. "A" race was to be Leadville 50 miler with a couple other bears leading up to it. Those other two being Big Horn 50k and Leadville marathon all within a few weeks span of each other. What was I thinking? I guess when you are sitting on the couch in the dead of winter it sounds easy. But truth be told, easy was not what I was looking for when I signed up for them. This was also a year in which after 30 plus years of running and racing that I had more firsts than any other placing! Not that my age bracket is any less competitive than the rest, because as anyone will argue, they are all tough!! from 5k's to 200 miles (WWR, thanks Stumblers) it truly was a stellar year.

This coming year...well, I guess it's time. Leadville 100 foot race. And while I always said "never" to those who know me, well...never say never. And those that have read the prior Blogs know that this is what I'm shooting for. A - finish, B- be it a positive journey and experience and finally, if it all falls into place, and this is the toughest one... C -under 25 hours. This weeks total: 56 miles. Total total: 211. Happy New year all. Runstrong,

~Eddie

Nobody should cry on Christmas...

Christmas Day, 2011;

You may be wondering about today's title. Well, sometimes we wish for something and when we get it...in my case, I received a message from someone who while I don't see and talk to these days, doesn't mean things have changed how I feel. Needless to say, tough start to Christmas. I miss her. But, enough of the self pity party.

Today marked the 3rd annual Bob V & Abbey Christmas run. This is the third year - obviously, since Bob had surgery and began his journey back

to the running scene. Needless to say, to this day I remind him that there was a time I whooped up on him. Today Dan Jones joined in on the run as well, which consisted of some Horsetooth hills followed by a few miles with Abbey. After all, this is her run as well. Temperatures were clear, cool to start but as soon as we headed up the first hill it warmed up fast! Dan has done the Leadville 100 (I actually paced him the last 13.5) in 2010, and have asked if he would return the favor this Summer. Though I'll most likely give him a tougher leg. However, I value his experience and glad he accepted the offer. Merry Christmas, run strong,

~Eddie.

Race Across The Sky. Week 3

Christmas Eve, 2011...
Hi all! well, here we are again. Christmas. Where has the year gone? and yes, I know, we still have one week left but...

This week started off with a run up Towers Rd this past Sunday as it's been a while since I've been there and know that if one really want's to climb...this is the place. Of course, I didn't tell Abbey that but being the trooper she is she didn't complain. Only wish she understood when I told her to save her energy as she'll need it for later! oh well, can't say I didn't try.

This being December is usually the time and month when I tell myself that I need to back of somewhat and give it a break yet, here it is and have put in another 50 mile week. However, with the temperatures being what they have been, it's been to damn cold to ride. So, I run. Needless to say I only got in one ride (last Sunday). But things will change as we have officially hit Winter, woohoo, which means the sun has gone as far South as it will and is now on it's way back North.

Today I, we, headed down to North Boulder Park to do some Cross Country Skiing and test out snow shoes as well. Needless to say, the price was right - free! and the city of Boulder grooms the trails as well. Can't beat that. And the fact that the sun was out made it all that much better. This coming week I don't plan to keep the "streak" of 50 mile weeks up as I know my enthusiasm for Leadville has gotten the best of me and know it's a long road ahead of me and no need to kill myself at this stage. Weekly total: 50. Total, total...155. for the year....dunno, need to add up.


Merry Christmas everybody.

~Eddie.

Race to the Sky, week two.

Ok, so the week started off last Sunday with a slog of a run (red red wine...) that also included a much better ride on a gorgeous day, and ended yesterday at Rudolph's Revenge 10k. And while not a steller time, still managed to place (1st), which caps off the racing season.

I also signed up for a few runs/races leading up to Leadville which I hope will help - obviously cant hurt except the bottom line ($) these days! man they are getting pricey. But, had to shell out sooner or later. Starting with Collegiate Peaks 50 in April, then Big Horn 50 in June.

I've not decided on May as of yet but will find something and if not...the dreaded 50 solo. Solo as in me and me alone. We'll see. On another note, I did get some commitments from friends that will crew and pace. Though the list is not complete, not so much worried that I'll get a team together. With that said and done, Miles for the week: 50, Total:105 with a bike ride tossed in. Runstrong,

~Eddie.

Red Red Wine...

...goes to my head -UB40.

And while I did have a few at Danny's annual MEXmas party it didn't stop me from taking Abbey out for her usual morning jog. And while it wasn't steller (for obvious reasons) I still slogged it out for eight miles.

Later that morning when the temp's finally made it over "freezing" I took Jezabel out for a spin. Needless to say a beautiful morning. On another

note, I finally won a "lottery" selection. I spaced signing up for Canyonlands half but got in the lotto the last day possible and lo-and-behold woke up this morning indicating I got in. Hmm, aren't you supposed to get money when it comes to lottery's and not have to pay?

~Eddie.

Race Across the Sky Week 1.

While it's dubbed "The Race Across The Sky" I won't be racing anyone come August 19th and 20th. It's just me and the clock and the course. And while I've set a couple of goals the real goal is to finish this beast and not look anything like the picture on the left there.

Week one training as with everyweek ends on a Saturday. This weeks total consisted of 55 miles. Needless to say, this was the week I signed up and no doubt a little "enthusiasm" had somewhat to do with that. I will keep training consistent as this is only December and have been down this road before. I will incorporate bike rides as well as it give me a break of the pounding of the pavement while at the same time keeping the cardio going. As long as the weather is warm of course!

I will also be doing a few snowshoe races and XC skiing (classic) as well this winter again, just to break up the monotony that comes with long distance, ultra training. Anyway, that's it for now, time to eat, change and get ready to ride.

~Eddie.

Project Leadville 100

December 7th, 20011.

Least we forget 70 years ago today...

What is it about this time of year that makes a person, or in this case me, make summer plans which for the most part are half a year away?. Is it the freezing temps?, the fact that I’m eating dinner at 5:30 and ready to call it a day or night at 7:30p.m since it’s been dark for three hours? Can’t be that I’m looking forward to Spring and new beginnings is it? Maybe all of the above.

In Decembers past and I can say with certainty the last three for sure, that I have planned my itinerary for the upcoming year, which included Hawaii, Europe and Nepal. This year however I’m staying home. This year it’ll be Leadville Colorado as in the Leadville Trail 100.

Now, I know when I helped crew two years ago and seeing what this could do to a person I said “never”. Well, never say never. I thought I’d “never” attempt a 50 miler but I did this past Summer. And when asked as of late “what’s your next race?” I haven’t really had an answer as this year by far has been the best on record as I’ve won every distance I’ve entered with the exception of the Leadville 50. Ended up 4^th. But for the record, it was a very positive experience for me.

So, it’s with that, that I plopped down my entry fee before it filled up and I’d regret that I hadn’t and signed on the dotted line. And while it truly won’t be a vacation as the above mentioned destinations, it certainly is a “project” that I’m always looking forward too. And as daunting as this may seem, I truly believe in myself and being able to pull it off. And while I may be the one running the 100 miles I know that I will not be able to pull this off without help. I will try and assemble the best crew and pacers that I call friends to help. Off to train...

~Eddie.