It's all training II

The Bird Ridge workout, 3 miles 3400' elevation gain x2, so a total of 12 miles and qbout 7000' elevation gain. A buddy told me getting it done twice in 3:30 would be a good indicator of my ability to get the Mat-Peak Challenge done. So we got after it a couple of Saturdays ago. Seeing double here as I approach the parking lot, and I am a little pumped about this workout.

Got started way way too fast and felt like quitting and going back to the car after 20 minutes. So many options were going through my head, go up half way twice, go up till I meet my friend comming down then turn around, basically anything to end the pain. All the while the legs kept pumping and before I knew it I was at the top in 58 minutes. I had the camera and had to take a moment to compose myself before the picture was taken (puking was a real option here).

Down took about 37 minutes and 8 minutes at the car refueling, I started my next trip up and tried to go super steady and even take a breather every now and again. The legs were hurting bad and it got a little cold so stopping outright was not an option. Second trip was 1:12 and at the top I was treated to a little stomach discomfort again plus the down was pretty darn painful, 35 minutes. Back at the car I was a quivering mass of jelly legs and a little famished as well. Nice feet here, just happy to be free of the abuse.

Physically and mentally tough workout, all said it was done in about 3:40 and I am pretty confident in my attempt at Mat-Peak. It will be 2 miles longer with an added 2000' elevation gain, this happens on my 40th birthday(nice gift for myself). It took a week to recover so I am pretty much sure I am going to be an invalid for a bit while my mom is in town. Maybe it will be like the old days and she can take care of her baby...probably not. If I had to say what this workout was like in 1000 words or less it would be this.....

Later

Warm and warm = 3x the fun

Another beautiful day at the beach. The water has been incredibly warm this summer and the weather super warm. Here are a few pictures of the crew at play. IM showing the Uncle how to be brave on the knee board, hang on there Uncle and remember to be patient with him IM.

AK on the other hand had no one to train up so she just dominated all on her own, notice the look of concentration.

EI is looking pretty, well pretty. This was as brave as she was going to be this day, we thought.

After the rides it was time for a little beach front activity. AK showing off that lovely swim stroke.

IM building yet another colossal sand structure and EI wondering wondering how do I play with sand and swim like the big kids.....

Here is your answer, walk in the water and bend forward and stick your head into the sand, dirt, mud. Mission accomplished she just one-upped her sibs, it will definitelly be fun as these kids get older.

These pictures are especially nice to look at these days as the rain has finally found us.

Later

Great Jorearb

Here is our nasty cottonwood being large and way too close to the house. One more picture for the memories. Glenn and I (read that as Glenn doing all the hard work) took 2.5 hours the other day and cut that baby down.
Glenn showing no fear as he rips the limbs off with his bear hands.

This is some kind of a way to show off or something, I am not sure. But when Glenn says one Arborist dies every 3 days I have a better idea as to why.

Getting close here as we begin to lower the last sections.

And here is the final look when we were done.

There were a bunch more pictures I took but these pretty much sum up this JORB well done.

Later

It's all training

Skyline traverse was 12.5 miles long and 5500ft of elevation gain. It was a very fun day.

Once one gets past the 2 mile climb it is a lot of ridges with ups and downs.

Down in the valley just as we were starting the 3 mile run out we saw this.

Not a happy hiker here.

I was trying not to fall on my face as I was booking it through the bear country store.

Later

A moment with AK

I needed to get AK a special post to make up for the one I did for IM earlier. She also had a wonderful time on the 3rd of July and here were a few of her activities.
Riding the horse.

A beautiful flower for AK at the country fair.

BUNGEE RUN, GOGOGOGOGO AK. Nice try....

but I think the bungee cord is too strong for the light weighted AK. Obviously we need to beef her up a bit.

We are excited about 'fornia Grandma comming soon.

Later

What just happened?

Running camp ended and we were super busy. It was a great camp and I am now able to set aside more time for the weBLOG. Here we go with the stockpiled pictures.
Like this one of EI in her swimming costume.

AK being brave on the rope swing. Actually I put her on the rope at the bottom and just pushed her until she wanted off and the Pop came to the rescue and walked her to shore when she was done.

The Uncle toke the camera for a swim for its maiden voyage under water.

AK was so brave and let me help her off the blob tower, she wanted to do a little sunning with the Uncle out there. Here she is getting psyched to get in the water to get back to shore.

Later

IM having a great day

I followed IM arounnd the other day and we had the greatest day.

Kayaking....

Riding....

Spider wall....

Driving (yes he has the reins)....

?????.....

Whew what a bundle of energy this guy is.

Later

WOW

Thank you AK, I couldn't have sung it better.

Not anymore anyway

Computers...... need I say any more? Mine has definitely exceeded its shelf life. Problem is there is usually a line to get on computers around here and, okay I'll stop complaining and making excuses. Here is our amazing Alaskan life. AK back from the camp, stole the camera and wouldn't give it back. Wait a minute am I rhyming? Nope, just making sure. Okay do I read the post as I am posting, answer is YES. Is that slow, answer is YES.

IM showing just how much of an obstacle the obstacle course can be. Hang in there bud, YOU CAN DO IT!

And here is a sunny day. Warm...no, but sunny. If half of these kids knew what warm was they wouldn't be in the water. Actually I went in the other night and did a little slalom run, two days later and I am still sore, old man style.

EI is basically fearless at the waterfront and once she discovered the water all she wanted was to be in it. Not very relaxing for the parents but pretty cute overall.

Mom and the two older ones went for a ride on the banana boat. Very brave IM, you so totally rock.

Hey mom, here you go. Play the music and enjoy the pictures.

Later