Summit junkie!

I went to the gym after the kids were in bed. I spent 30 minutes lifting (biceps, triceps, chest, lats). I was pretty worked after 30 minutes, so I decided to run a few miles on the track. I didn't have a lot of time, so I had to run fast to get in two. First mile was 6:55 and the second was 7:10. I was so tired after, and don't know how some of you keep up a pace like that for several miles. It just shows me how far I have to go if I ever want to be a fast runner.

I had a terrible nights sleep and woke up at 3:30 AM with a really bad stomachache, and I couldn't fall back asleep. I felt crappy al day with very little energy, and my stomach wasn't 'right' the whole day. I didn't feel like working out at all, but I made myself go do 5 on the TM. 9 min miles, and after I actually felt much better.

Went to the Jazz game tonight for work, and I ate about two days worth of food during dinner. It was a great game and a lot of fun, but by time I got home and got everyone to bed it was too late to hit the gym, so I did a 30 minute ab workout.

Climbing a peak tomorrow morning before work, so I better get to bed.

I needed to get back into the mountains, so I climbed Mount Van Cott above the U this morning before work. It was a perfect short hike and had about 1200 feet of elevation gain in about a mile and a half. This is a perfect training hike, especially if there is high avalanche danger on the higher peaks. I didn’t know where the trail was, so I went up a gulch that had a faint trail, and ended up busting my hump up to the ridge through some sugary snow. Once I was on the ridge it was quick and easy, although it was a little steep.

I got to enjoy the sunrise from the top over the Wasatch and the entire Salt Lake Valley. I can’t think of a better way to start a day.

It took me a lot of work to finally bag such a little mountain. I took my dog and kids up there on one of the hottest days in the summer of 2009. We had some bad directions, and it took us about an hour of hiking before we ended up in Cepnalopod Gulch. After about 15 minutes heading up the dog wouldn't walk anymore and the kids were crying, so we had to turn back. My kids still call this mountain Mt. Van Hot.

*** PM update: Church ball. Played a good portion of the game and my calves were sore by the end. Fun workout and no injuries.

I got up early this morning to lift at the gym. Lifted (upper body) for 35 minutes and then I did a mile on the TM because my calves were still sore and I wanted to loosen them up.

Had a very busy day and didn't get out into the moutnains for a trail run like I had hoped. I was able to find some time for 10 on the TM. Total time 1:24. Not speedy, but it was a great workout and I was dripping with sweat when I was done.

I wanted to stretch my legs and also get in a few miles because I knew I was going to eat way too much while watching the Super Bowl. I think I ate more last week than any previous week I can remember. I will check the damage on the scale at the gym tonight.

I think I am coming down with a cold. My throat is killing me and I'm starting to cough. I hate getting sick because I lose my energy. I'm hoping it is nothing serious and I'll be over it in a few days.

I went to the gym to lift after I got the kids to bed. Did upper body and some core work. Everything felt really good, and after my workout I wanted to get in a few miles, so I ran two on the track in16:38. I got a stitch in my side after about a mile, and I just pushed through the second one. That usually happens if I run after I lift.

After the kids were in bed I went to the gym to sweat all over the TM. I also did 5 miles in just under 45 minutes. This cold has really taken my energy. I better get some sleep and some Emergen C. Everyone seems to be recommending it.

What a day! We had a Jazz event at work today, so I went to the arena early and worked a 13 hour day. I actually left the game (Jazz/Lakers) after the 3rd quarter because my head/throat/nose/lungs were all telling me I am sick. I did eat plenty of good food though, so I knew I better hit the TM. I was able to squeeze 3 in on the TM, but I am not sure it was a good thing. I felt so crappy after, and I was slow (10+ min miles). When I got home my wife had bought me some Emergen C (Thanks Smooth and Leslie) and I drank that up and took some Nyquil, so I should be getting to my happy place soon.

My nose is sore and I keep thinking about Kelli and cheap TP :) Good thing my wife buys the good stuff, but the TP at Energy Solutions Arena is CHEAP!!

The Nyquil worked last night and I slept really well. I'm still not feeling great, although it hasn't gotten any worse either. I was very tired after work and I fell asleep while playing with my son and took a 30 minute nap.

After the kids were in bed I went to the gym and my wife did homework. I ran 4 miles on the TM at 8:40, and then I was feeling really tired, so I did one more at 10:00. That last mile was hard because my energy was gone. I hate getting sick.

Time for Nyquil.

45 minute ab/core workout on my ball while watching the winter Olympics opening ceremonies. I also spent about 15 minutes stretching.

Went with Jun to run/climb Lake Mountain by Utah Lake. It was drizzling on the way out there and the mountain was enveloped in clouds, so I wasn't exactly sure what the weather was going to do, but it ended up being pretty nice. The run didn't turn out so well. We got lost trying to find the right road/trail to the top, and ended up running on several muddy, snowy roads/trails. Eventually we came to a steep gully, and we new that we were not in the right place, and it was obvious we were not going to get to the top without a serious bushwhack, and neither of us had any desire for that, so we decided to just get a few miles in on the dirt roads/trails around the mountain.

There were a few sections that were a lot of fun, and others that were tedious with all of the mud and snow. It was very disappointing to see all of the garbage and debris left my rednecks and shooters out there. We saw endless amounts of beer cans, shot gun shells, exploded clay pidgins, and various other discarded items. We also passed a few parties that were shooting, and that always makes me a little nervous.

Even though we didn't get to the top, we had a great time, and the views of the calley below were fantastic. We will be back to bag this baby.

 This was the first time I ran in my new trail shoes and they felt really good, although they sure got dirty.

I went to the gym and lifted for 45 minutes (Upper body). I had 25 minutes before closing time, so I ran on the TM at a 9:00 pace. Everything feels really good, except for my nose that is constantly running. I can't shake this cold.

Another boring night on the TM trying not to watch mens figure skating. Wow, some of those outfits were just... wow! 9:20 min miles.

Wife was doing homework, so I hit the TM for 5 miles while watching basketball (9:20 min miles). I was still feeling really good, so I did a 50 minute ab/core workout on my ball while watching the Olympics.

I played 1:30 of full court basketball with guys from work. We are going to start playing every Thursday, and it will be a great way to get some cardio. I forgot my clothes, so I ended up playing in jeans and my trail runners. Other than that it was a great time.

I had a church ball game at 10:00 tonight, but I fell asleep watching the Olympics, so I missed it. I guess the guy with the feathers took the gold in the figure skating. I had a hard time getting back to sleep after I woke up, so I took some benadryl, and had the weirdest dreams ever.

I woke up early this morning to lift, and it was tough getting out of bed. I took a Benadryl last night, and it definitely made it harder to find my motor. It seemed like it took at least 30 minutes to shake the cobwebs off. I had a great workout for 40 minutes (upper body/core). I decided that I wasn't going to run, so I can save my legs for tomorrow because Jun and I are planning to climb something and I want to be fresh. As I went upstairs to weigh myself I just couldn't help myself and I ended up on one of the TM's doing a mile (8:30). I'm not quite sure why, but I just couldn't pass it up. I was late or I would have done more.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Had the best run/hike of the year so far this morning with Jun. My son came into my room last night at 1:30 am barfing all over the carpet, my bed and himself. I had only been asleep for about 30 minutes and with the alarm set for 6:00 I was worried I wouldn't be feeling it today, but I felt great the whole time. We met my friend Matt at the trailhead to Big Beacon (Mt. Wire) at 7:00 this morning and it was COLD. Matt was taking a break from work, and wasn't dressed for hiking, but he is pretty hardcore, so he just came up in his jeans and leather shoes.

The first mile was really cold and the hose on my Camelbak froze and I couldn't get any water. We made good time to the summit hiking fast. We could have run, but we didn't want to leave Matt. We made it to the top in about an hour, and Matt bailed to get back to work. We took a few summit shots, and then decided to go down a different way that would take us over a minor summit and then take us over to the Red Butte summit ridge. The run over to Red Butte was so fun in the well packed snow.

The Red Butte ridge is a little scrambly (not bad) so it slowed us down some and we were soon on the summit while spying several deer (I think we saw at least 50 today). The run down from Red Butte is pretty steep and technical, but a lot of fun. We had a great time and moved really fast down to the saddle, where we decided to take the switchbacks down to the BST.

Once we got back down to the BST it was another couple of miles to the car and by this time it was really hot. My Camelbak finally started working again, and I sucked down some water.

This was an amazing day and I would go back and do that again anytime. The only bad part of the whole hike/run was my nose ran constantly, and I had to keep farmer blowing. Jun was incredibly strong, and considering he ran a marathon+ two days ago it was pretty amazing that he did so well. I will post up some pics and a little video later today.

I just put up a video from our run:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Utah13ers#p/a/u/0/powTZ4q-krs

 Here are some photos:

My quads were very sore, so I decided to do some work on the elliptical. Did 35 minutes and worked up a good sweat, and it seemed to loosen everything up.

Weights tonight at the gym. Lifted for 40 minutes (upper body) and then I had time, so I did 6 on the TM.

First 3 at 8:30

Second 3 at 9:30

My quads were still kind of sore, but actually feel better after the run. Everything else feels great.

I went to the gym and ran the TM. At first I wasn't really excited about it at all, and decided I would do some nice and easy 9:30 miles. After 2.7 I was feeling a lot better, so I decided to pick up the pace for fun. I did the last 1.3 at a 6:38 pace. I was really tired at the end, but probably could have kept pushing if I wanted to.

4 nice and easy miles. I also did a core/abs workout after the kids were in bed. My daughter complained though because she said I was grunting and making too much noise. haha. Those ab workouts hurt. I guess that means I was getting some 'burn'.

Got at call at 8:05 begging me to come to the church for a game that was supposed to start at 8:00. They only had 4 players. I made it over there and we got worked. It was a very physical game, and I noticed in the second half that I was dehydrated and since I hadn't stretched, my calves were bothering me too. I played most of the game and I was pretty tired when we finished. My calves are still sore and I stretched them for 15 min when I got home. Off to bed because I'm hitting the gym in 5 hours.

Got up early before work to lift at the gym. Lifted (biceps, triceps, lats, delts, chest) for 40 minutes. It was dead in there this morning. Question for the group: Why do overweight old guys love to walk around naked in locker rooms? Every Friday morning I get hit with two or three terrible visual horror episodes.

I had a really busy day attending a baptism and family parties, so I had to sneak in 4 on the TM. I was hoping to get out and do something fun today, but it just didn't happen. I really want to get out on a trail or climb a peak in the next few days.

9:10 pace

5 nice and easy. 9:15 pace.