First challenge of 2014

I can deal with brutally tough runs, rides and climbs, but a simple cold is a real struggle.  I hate staying in the house and resting and usually end up wearing myself down worse than I already am.  Three days into 2014, I caught a cold and am already feeling behind in my training.  The bitterly cold weather that hit at the same time did not help matters.  Ugh.

GEAR REVIEW: Armada ARVti skis

I just had the chance to demo some skis at Loveland Ski Area.  The first ski I tried was the Icelantic Nomad RKR.  This is a fun, light, quick ski that is a blast in powder, steeps and off piste terrain.  It was ok on the groomers but not as stable as I like.  I also tried the K2 Shredditor which was lightning quick and also great in powder, steeps and off piste terrain but did not have as large a sweet spot as the Nomads.  I'm sure I'd get into a grove if I skied it all the time, but the ski can get away from you a little bit if you are not right on top of it.  

My favorite was the ARMADA ARVti.  This ski was amazing.  It was a little heavier than the Nomad and Shredditor but was still a beast is all terrain types and snow conditions that I took it into.  Even some of my ski patrol colleague noticed the easy with which I ripped up even the steepest and most demanding terrain.  Moreover, this ski carves like a dream on the groomers.  I always felt like I was in complete control.  These skis are at the very top of my wish list.

"After 10 years spent largely unchanged, our original all-mountain tool got a new chassis, a top and bottom layer of Titanal, and the new AR Nose Rocker profile. The ARVti combines a Comp Series Base and a burly core, creating an on-piste charger that can still hold its own, and its edge, when the going gets bumpy." - ARMADA website

Committed

I just signed up for the Leadville Silver King. I'd better get myself ready!

2014 Preview

It will be tough to top 2013, but I have a couple events that I am very excited about.

• May 17 The L'Eroica Junction to Glenwood Vintage Bicycle Race-  This event recreates a 1899-1915 Grand Junction 102 mile bicycle race from Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs, CO. The organizers have researched the history of the ride and included as many of the original elements of the race as possible.

•  July 4 Firecracker 50 MTB-  Each 25 mile lap has 4000′ of climbing. The first 6 miles of that is on the climb out of Breckenridge on the old narrow gauge Railroad grade. The race starts the 4th of July Parade in a neutral start format by start wave. From there the odyssey sends you into the Backcountry. There are a couple of grunty little climbs, a couple of long lungbusters, some absolutely rippin’ descents and plenty of contouring flume and singletrack.

• July 12-13- Leadville Silver King-  Two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you'll forever be known as a Silver King.

• July 19-21 Courage Classic- Three days of spectacular family riding in the mountains of Colorado.  Proceeds support Children's Hospital Colorado.
  

• August 9 Leadville 100 MTB- One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you'll be challenged to catch your breath- while the views try to take it away.

• August 31 West Elk Bicycle Classic- The Dave Wiens West Elk Bicycle Classic is a demanding 134 mile timed tour climbing 9,300ft (209 km, 2700m) from Gunnison to Crested Butte, CO circumnavigating the West Elk Mountains held Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The crux of the ride is a 25 mile 5400' climb over the dirt Kebler pass to Crested Butte starting at the 100 mile mark. The top of Kebler is where your time will stop for this timed event. You then will coast neutrally down to Crested Butte for the official finish and party.

• October 4 Tour of the Moon- The Icon LASIK TOUR of the MOON is a 62-mile (metric century) ride through the unique landscape of the American West.  Cyclists will start and finish at Two Rivers Convention Center in downtown Grand Junction, Colorado. Participants will depart the Convention Center in the same manner as 2012 but will ride toward Fruita (instead of entering the east entrance of the Monument) and then may choose to ride the metric century through the beautiful farm country surrounding areas of Fruita and finishing with the spectacular ride through the Colorado National Monument, a unit of the National Park System (entering the west entrance) to the Convention Center.

• November 2 New York City Marathon- The TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon.
  
  he TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon. - See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/about-the-race#sthash.6maDfwjL.dpuf
  he TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon. - See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/about-the-race#sthash.6maDfwjL.dpuf
  he TCS New York City Marathon has grown from a Central Park race with 55 finishers to the world's biggest and most popular marathon. - See more at: http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/about-the-race#sthash.6maDfwjL.dpuf
  
  
  One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away. - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-100-mile-mtb-race#sthash.UrndadB7.dpuf
  One hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, this event was created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away. - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/315773-100-mile-mtb-race#sthash.UrndadB7.dpuf
  two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
  two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
  two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
  two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf
  two days of exhilarating challenges. First, spend Saturday riding the Silver Rush 50 MTB, and follow it up on Sunday with the Silver Rush 50 Run. Finish both and you'll earn respect from everyone. Finish both events within the allotted time and you’ll forever be known as a Silver King - See more at: http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/page/show/431570-silver-king-and-queen#sthash.983tYUv3.dpuf

2013 Year in Review

2013 was a year of great personal accomplishments.  As the sun rose on January 1, 2013, I reached the 19,341 ft. summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.  This feat was a mountaineering best for me as I had never previously summited a mountain over 14,500 feet nor had I ever been above 16,500 in elevation.  I felt surprisingly strong and am now eager to take on even greater mountaineering challenges.  Closer to home, I was able to reach the summit of six more Colorado 14ers (Snowmass Mountain, North Maroon Peak, Maroon Peak, Wilson Peak, Mount Wilson and El Diente Peak), leaving only Capitol Peak, Sunlight Peak, Windom Peak, Mount Eolus and North Eolus Peak for me to complete all of the state's 14ers.

I trained through the winter of 2014 for my first ultra distance event, the Greenland (CO) 50K Trail Race on May 4. My goal was to break six hours and I did it (barely!) in a time of 5:51:09.  My next big running challenge was the Bear Chase 50 Mile Trail Race on September 29.  This was by far the greatest distance I had ever attempted and had no idea how my body would respond to the last dozen or so miles.  My goal was pretty much just to finish before the 15 hours cutoff and a I happily finished in a time of 12:47.11, leaving plenty of time before the cutoff.  While I wasn't running for time, I also managed to complete the Colfax and Denver marathons to round out my running year.

My first cycling challenge of 2013 was the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, Colorado on May 25th. While not terrible long (50 miles), it does have 8,000 feet of climbing along the way and gives a rider the chance to race an old, steam-powered narrow-gauge train from Durango to Silverton through the San Juan Mountains.  I felt great and the weather was perfect and I was able to complete the event in a time of 3:03:31.9.  The next cycling event I rode was the biggest disappointment of the year for me.  On July 4, I rode the Firecracker 50 mile MTB race in Breckenridge.  The was my first ever mountain bike event and I was unaware when I signed up that this is one of the most challenging MTB events in the state.  Not only did this race include 10,000 feet of climbing, but it is also incredible technical.  I had a wreck, a few mechanicals and missed the 37.5 mile/6 hour cut off by 2 MINUTES!!  I was crushed not to have finished.  Fortunately, I did not have long to dwell on it as I rode the Double Triple Bypass less than 10 days later.  This demanding event goes 240 miles over 3 mountain passes and 20,000 vertical feet from Bergen Park to Avon and then back over two days.  I was not riding for time and simple wanted to complete the two legs of the ride.  My next big ride was the Vuelta a Salida on August 17, a 100 mile ride from Salida to the top of  12,126 foot Cottonwood Pass.  The biggest thrill with this ride was the chance to ride the first 30 miles with the riders from Jely Belly Cycling Team, who were preparing for the upcoming USA Pro Challenge.  My last ride of the year was relatively gentle but always spectacular Tour of the Moon on October 5.  It is a nice change from the usual mountain scenery I get to experience, as this ride winds through the spectacular red sandstone canyons of Colorado National Monument.  Watch the the movie American Fliers to get a taste of the terrain.

My final, and perhaps greatest accomplishment of 2013 was the completion of  my first Ironman event.  On September 8, I competed in Ironman Wisconsin held in Madison.  Again, my primary goal was just to finish in the allotted 17 hours.  I can happily saw that I am now an Ironman.  I completed my first ever Ironman in a time of 13:42:18 (Swim 2.4 miles-1:31:41, Bike 112 miles- 6:17:45, Run 26.2 miles- 5:29:29). I was really tired by the end but still managed to run (not walk) the last several miles to the finish.  It was an amazing experience, but I'm not sure when I'll do another.  It takes a lot of time and commitment in three different disciplines, and I think I'll want to do too many other things.  I'm sure I'll do other triathlons, but this may be it for Ironman triathlons.

 I am keeping busy this winter after having joined the Loveland Ski Patrol.  This was also quite a challenge as I had to pass both a ski test and EMT-equivalent certification in outdoor emergency care. It will be tough top 2013 but I will certainly try in 2014.  Not entirely sure what I'll do, but I'll find out soon.

Summer event season warming up

With the Greenland 50K in the rearview mirror, several more events are now on the horizon. The summer event season is now getting into full gear. I will be running the Colfax Marathon this Sunday, will ride the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic next Saturday, and the Longmont Sprint Triathlon the weekend after that.  The events will get progressively more difficult as the summer rolls along. I am excited about the Colfax Marathon. I will be running in a relay with my family but will actually the the whole thing so that I can pace with (I was graciously granted permission from the organizers).  It is a very pleasant event and take you into different parts of Denver than the Denver Marathon in the fall. I really enjoyed this course when I ran it in 2011. I've also run the half marathon twice, but they seem to change that course fairly regularly. We will be embracing our Scottish heritage this year and the would family will be running in Clan Fraser shirts and kilts. Should be sweet.

First ultra completed

Greenland 50k

Larkspur, CO

My first ultra marathon is now in the books. It actually was not as difficult as I had expected.  The weather could not have been better.  It started out sunny and in the upper 30's and quickly warmed into the mid-50's.  Despite several inches of snow earlier in the week, the trail was dry and in excellent condition.  

The race started promptly at 7am and headed south on a wide dirt path.  I don't now why, but I had trouble regulating my breathing and had a tight chest for the first mile.  I don't usually get nervous at the start of events, but it sure felt that way this time.  By Mile 2, we reached the point where our looping course would eventually intersect with the path we were on.  I was
feeling good by now and had finally gotten into a rhythm.  Our first aid station (one of only two) was at around Mile 3.  It was also at this point that the course began its 400 climb east to the top of the route's main hill.  From the top, the course turns north and rolls along the ridge line until dropping down a gentle northeast slope.  The trail briefly climbed a smaller hill before skirting along the west side end then dropping down into the wide flat expanse near the turn around.  When I reached the turn around, I was about 8 miles in and felt pretty good.  I now have three more circuits of the course to go. The trail leading south to intersect with the original trail paralleled the original trail before climbing up a small hill which the original trail had skirted to the west.  I now knew that I had a small, medium and large hill to climb as I made my loops and I wanted to be sure I had gas in the tank when I started the last lap.  The next two loops were pretty uneventful.  I continued to feel
strong and never had to stop and walk.  The biggest excitement was a large coyote the crossed

my path about 20 feet ahead of me.  As I started my fourth and final loop of the course, I was starting to feel a bit tired.  Just prior to reaching the aid station at the base of the large hill, I noted that I'd just past the 26.2 mile point (marathon distance) and was now, with each step, was runner further than I had ever run before.  I finally had to walk most of the big hill on this final ascent.  Fortunately, once I began the descent, I was able to runner rather swiftly down the trail, maintaining the pace almost all the way to the finish.  It was a great feeling to cross the finish line.  A personal best in distance and I was able to complete the

50K(31 miles) in less than 6 hours.  You can see my data here.

My next runner event will be the Colfax Marathon.  At this, it should seem like a piece of cake.  The next big challenge will be in September when I attempt my first 50 mile trail run.  Can't wait!

Place	Bib	Name	Hometown	Age	Sex	Time	Pace	Time	In Sex	Division	In Div
85.	127	James S.	Denver CO	37	M	5:51:12	11:19	5:51:09	69th	30 to 39	24th