MyCOLORADOLife.net

an Adventurer’s heart

Published February 1, 2014

Happy February!

Maybe it’s the daily snow showers, maybe it’s my consistent/constant Ironman training – either way, gotta get O-U-T. Climb, hike, snowshoe, cross country ski, snow camp – itching to get outdoors.

I have an Adventurer’s heart.

Recently purchased “The Endurance” – a documentary detailing Ernest Shackleton’s 18-month journey to & escape from Antarctica. 27 men signed up for this epic adventure via a newspaper ‘Men Wanted’ ad.

: Ernest Shackleton

: constant danger, safe return doubtful

: “The Endurance”

Where are these advertisements today? Who doesn’t want to challenge their mind, their heart, their body, their spirit – to the brink of saying ‘No Mas’. I can’t do this anymore.

I have an Adventurer’s heart.

Forward your favourite clips my way – email: keenan@mycoloradolife.net, Facebook, Google +, Twitter.

Hoping to bring an Adventurer’s heart to Texas & bang out my 4^th FULL marathon — only two weeks away 🙂

UPDATE:

Facebook post from Ft Collins hiker, Cammy – summiting an 18,400ft volcano in Mexico. SPECTACULAR!

18,400ft hike

Posted in Antarctica, MOVE; Stay INSPIRED! | Leave a comment

Breck Snow & Ice

Published January 25, 2014

Between Ironman training (running marathons & 2 hour lap swimming), work, church & family (acclimating to life with Ash, Tom & pets), have experienced a mighty full 2014. What’s missing? Need to get outside & enjoy our Colorado winter!

Bought tickets (via Groupon) to Ice Castles – an elaborate castle carved from ice, open from late December to February in Breckinridge (CO), Utah & New Hampshire. Cool, huh?

Wait, wait, it gets better.

Timed my trip to Breck on the same weekend as the International Snow Sculpture Championships. Teams from the US, Europe & Mongolia worked for a week on their masterpiece(s) – judging scheduled for Saturday. Excellent luck!

Left Boulder County in 50 degrees & sunshine. Arrived in Breckinridge, overcast & 20 degrees. Same state yet divided by the mighty Rocky Mountains = very different weather.

Busy ski day on Breck but secured parking & walked a short mile to Riverwalk Center & the International Snow Sculpture Championships. What a find! FAVES: Italy’s simple entry ‘Looking Up’ & both bold sculptures crafted by Mongolia. DISLIKE: France’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ – seriously, kinda creepy.

Devoured a package of elk jerky & entered Ice Castles. SPECTACULAR! Inspired to climb – but probably not the right setting 🙂 Anything better? How ‘bout returning at 6pm & walking thru the Castle under lights. WOW, WOW, WOW!

Crazy cold return walk under the most stunning, illuminated sky (ok, 2^nd best – hard to beat October’s outdoor soak in Steamboat).

Have enjoyed touring the US during my 50 state marathon challenge but Colorado – man, this is home.

: International Snow Sculpture Championships — with Ashton Haga and Tom Wilpiszeski

: Winner: Breckinridge

: 2nd Place: Germany

: 3rd Place: Wisconsin

: Russia

: France

: Mongolia

: Mongolia (small country, 2 entries)

: Colorado

: Italy under lights – simple but probably my favourite

: Welcome to Ice Castles!

: LOVED this place! AMAZING!

: today’s WOW shot! (pic credit Tom)

: mighty tight tunnel – claustrophobics beware!

: tasty snack

: Ice Castles under lights

: toss up whether green or purple were my fave

: Goodnite Breckinridge – super fun day!

Posted in Continental Divide | Tagged festivals, snowpocalypse | Leave a comment

Louisiana Marathon

Published January 19, 2014

Woke early & jetted to Louisiana’s State Capitol – 7am start time for my 3^rd full marathon (only 47 states to go).

After enduring snow last month in Tucson, wore a blue running suit this go-around. Had a lotta competing colours going on this day (crazy look)…but gotta say, [the running suit] did the trick. Awesome Christmas gift – many thanks!

National Anthem, starting gun blast by Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor & off we went – my largest marathon to date (or at least it seemed that way – both marathon & half-marathon races started concurrently.)

Sunshine poked out early in the run. Still smiling at mile 10, enjoyed running lakeside through LSU campus.

Started dragging just past mile 15 – kept thinking how much I needed a potty break. Unfortunately all outdoor johns were lined with female participants. And no aim-n-shoot opportunities available on today’s course, race principally meandered throughout Baton Rouge suburbia. Argh – new thought.

Saw M at mile 17 & then again at mile 20. Re-energized. I can do this thing…only 6 more miles.

Hill at mile 24, not pretty but kept running whereas other marathoners chose to walk up the I-10 overpass.

LOVE LOVED the many residents cheering us on – helped boost my energy level. Thanks Baton Rouge!

Last mile – tired, but no excuses. And still felt fairly good — even picked up pace at the end. 7 minutes slower than last month’s run in Tucson but finished so much stronger. I-EEE!

Next month – Austin 🙂

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