Race Across the Sky Week 13

Hi all, and sorry for the week off but with the house selling, me buying, then my buyers loan doesn't get approved it's been hectic times to say the least. House is back no the market so all I can do is keep my fingers crossed.

Though I have to admit the morning after I was told that my buyer didn't get their loan was the hardest run as it felt like someone had taken a 2 x 4 and wham! However, I've done all I can and will take this as far as I can.

With that said, runs have been good! as I write this I'm about a week away from 100 day's in a row! woohoo!! don't ask why as it just started and I kept going. There will be no day 101 if you know what I mean...

Yesterday, the 26th was my first "real" long run of the year. The plan was 30 miles. I met Michelle M by my house and was fortunate to have her for 5 miles from the start as I was heading up to the Bud plant to meet some peeps for what was supposed to be 20. Needless to say in all the 30 plus years I've been running have only come close once to the conditions that we encountered. There was a point running (crawling would best describe it) that I looked down at my Garmin and we were clocking a whomping 13:30 minute mile! Just Crazy!!

We only ended up doing 17 and high tailed it back to the car and home. It truly was brutal!! however, once home, I ate a little bit and took Abbey out to finish what I had started as I've tried not to let anything get in the way when I've a long day like this planned. This was huge for the "bank" if you know what I mean. RunStrong all!

~Eddie

Race Across the Sky Week 11

This past week started off with a run up in one of my favorite spots in the world. Dillon, CO. Now, I've been somewhat around the world but this truly is a gem with the lake and mountains surrounding it. The week was one of firsts as well as I ended up with a total of 85 miles.

Now, I know for a fact that I've never done that much in one week but it just sort of fell in place. And am glad to say that nothing is broken, damaged etc! woo hoo...and while there were a couple of days that I took my time getting out the front door, I got out! and as usual, it got better as the run went on.

Have had a lot of showings at the house but still nothing. Will keep fingers crossed that it will sell and I can keep moving forward in this project as well. This coming weekend, will be my first two races of the year. Though I did the snow shoe one, these will be a 5 and 10 milers run back to back. And while I'm not worried about either one as both combined are just over a half marathon. I would like to think I can go top 3 in each one and that is the goal.

So, that is about it for now. I will back off to 70 miles give or take this week as well. That 85miler was purely experimental for now. I know they'll be coming up more often than not. RunStrong.

~Eddie

Race Across the Sky, Week 10.

Ok, ok, so I'm a couple day's late. No excuse, just somewhat busy the last couple of days. And with that, another good week. Though I wanted to cut it short of the 70 milers I put in the last couple of weeks. Just didn't feel it was time to keep any streaks going other than the one I have for consecutive days which now stands at about seventy something! WooHoo...

After so many years of saying "I want to do that" Abbey and I made our way up to Frisco CO for the 42nd annual Frisco Gold Rush which has both snow shoeing and cross country skiing. That, and a lecture by a local historian, author on some of the facts of mining of an era gone bye. Pretty cool to combine a couple of my favorite subjects on one day!

Now, while I have been in the back country plenty of time with snow shoes, I've never raced in them! however, how difficult can it be right? just like running but with wider shoes. And with that, they lined us up at 5:00 p.m. and off we went and OMG, it had been a while since I'd raced at 9000' and felt it right from the get go! Everything hurts at that altitude. But, I also knew that once I got going and backed it off a bit I would be ok. The first couple of guys just bolted from the gun. Obviously locals and that was fine as I had no idea of the course other than to "follow the pink flags" that were out there. Well, needless to say, about a 1/4 or so in even the two leaders made a wrong turn which when we discovered the mistake had to back track which meant what distance we put on the rest (I was in 3rd at the time) we gave back. Once back on track, trail, it was the two locals that just bolted away and that was fine by me as it gave me a reference point so to speak. Needless to say, I was still hurting big time due to the altitude, at which point, one other person caught up to me. Now, I could have kept him somewhat behind me as the trail was narrow but waved him by first chance and decided I'd ride his coat tails to the finish and get him there. Well, needless to say, again, local knowledge beat me to the finish!! 4th overall, 2nd in age group. Hey, I'll take it! and thank God it was only a 5k!!

I contemplated doing the cross country (ski) the following day but choose to get my long run in up there and watch the sunrise over lake Dillon. Truly a million dollar run!! Week total: 62

RunStrong,

~Eddie

Race Across the Sky, Week 9

Sunday January 29th.

"Somehow it happened... Hard to say when. But one look in the mirror and it was obvious. Life had caught up to you. So you did the only thing any self-respecting adult could do. You ran away. Only this time it worked. And the farther you ran, the better it worked. So you've never stopped running. And you've never seen that person in your mirror again."

Today, or shall I say yesterday as I'm a day behind I headed down to Boulder to help out at the Fast and Furry-est race. Though I would have love to have done it as the course was a true Cross Country course, my help was needed as a pacer for the races. Pacers as in on a bike as there was no way I was about to hang with either of the womans or mens race leaders. The kids race...maybe. The morning dawned cool but clear and beautiful. Needless to say some of the course consisted of a couple inches of "thick" grass which I have to say kicked my ass (and I'm in pretty good cycling shape folks) but it was like riding through sand!! it certainly worked me over and then some!

And after almost getting "chicked" the girl who took it out right from the start (Lauren?) I definitely made sure I had a gap for the guys if you know what I mean! none the less, it was good to see some of the Boulder peeps which I hope to be joining soon. My house went up and on the market (finally) this week. Now, if I can get a buyer...stay tuned.

This week also marked week number two at 70 miles. Needless to say, I don't know what hit me yesterday but I slept 10 hours last night and struggled to get out the door (2 hours) but once out, I got going. 11 miles on foot, 48 on bike and not a damn thing around the house with the exception of ironing some things for the week! Oh well, that's why I'm looking to downsize so I don't have to do anything!

All in all, a good week and a pretty good month to start the year! week total: 70 Total total: 259 for the month. Still seems like a small amount...RunStrong,

~Eddie

Race Across the Sky. Week 8

This week marked a first. In the 30 years that I've been running I don't ever recall going 50 day's straight with out a break from running. And while I know a couple years ago I went three months straight that was either a run ride or swim. And while I never set out to do this...oh well!

This morning Abbey and I did a jaunt up Tower Rd at O'dark thirty (actually 6:00a.m.). For some reason, though it would have been lighter out there but it took a good 30 min's before I could make out the trail! On the way down I ran (no pun intended) into a group of the FC women trail runners, as well as a phenomenal sunrise (pic to the left). Still one of my favorite things in the world. This coupled with 3 miles before gave me 70 for the week as well. Again, don't think I've ever pushed that number at this time of year! but, I'll take it. Everything so far feels good. Woohoo! Afterwards I hooked up with my friend Carlos and his peeps for a good solid 52 miles on the bike. I have to say that the first hour or so was sooo miserable as I froze my A** of and cursing the damn clouds blocking the sun. Needless to say, the sun did peek out every now and then which felt soooo nice!

Ok, well, guess I need to get something done around the house as it's listed to sell. Weekly total: 70. Total, total: 400. doesn't seem much does it? RunStrong,

~Eddie

Winter wonderland....

Leadville, Colorado.

Hi all! I came across this picture of Leadville as it appears in the winter time. Truly beautiful stuff, but don't kid yourself as they have long ones. This mid-week report with 213 (if my math is right) days to go!

Monday marked somewhat of a "milestone" of sorts as it was my 50th day straight of running! Now, not that I haven't had longer streaks but...they consisted of either riding or running or some sort of calorie burning endeavor. How much longer will it go? No idea. However, as long as I'm feeling good and nothing is busted, we shall see. That is all for today folks. Runstrong,

~Eddie

Race Across the Sky; week 7

The other day that I wrote I'd been somewhat mentally beaten down by the weather. Cold, grey, overcast. Today (or, yesterday as I write this Sunday morning) you could not have asked for a nicer day from sunrise to sunset. One word. Perfect.

This morning as with every morning the first few miles were with Abbey. After dropping her off at the house I know I only needed ten for the day to put me at 60 for the week. But as the sun was coming up and I kept going it just felt better and better. The thought of Thursday was but a distant memory. I've learned throughout 30 plus years that not every day will be 'great' but if somehow you can just grind through them the sun as it has for millions of years will come up tomorrow, and with that, another chance.

And today was truly it. I ended the morning with a total of 12 Great miles! everything clicked. After a quick breakfast, it was off to ride with the group from Peloton. Today's route was counter clockwise of what we normally do, i.e. we'd hit the hills first instead of at the end, but that was ok, I was warmed up, pumped up so either way worked for me. A few hours in the saddle under some of the nicest conditions (at least on the bike) capped off a great morning! so good that I didn't take my usual nap as the Olympic Marathon trials were on t.v.

From there, it was over to Shannon & Megs to pick up "Unbreakable" (Western States 100) followed by a couple glasses of vino with Danny & Diane. Great day. Week total-62 Total-330.

Runstrong,

~Eddie