Climb on

Published January 20, 2018

Left one paradise (Hawaii), fast replaced it with another (Colorado). First ice climb in 2 years ❄

First time using Front Range Climbing Company in Lake George CO. Have always hired a climbing guide (twice in Alaska, thrice now in Colorado). They provide the gear (like all winter sports, crazy expensive) PLUS I tend to push harder knowing that if/when I slip, someone experienced has my back/completely covered on belay.

Easy drive south on I-25 to Colorado Springs. Exited west on Highway 24. Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant, Lake George. New roads, new places. ADDED 3 things to my summer wish list: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center & the Mueller Marathon (trail race in Mueller State Park/Divide). If not this year, then 2019 🙂

Met up with climbing guide Dan at Starky’s General Store, then dirt-road travelled another 20 minutes to Elevenmile Canyon. Been a super mild winter this season, wondering if I’d see ice.

Short half-mile walk thru a local Boy Scout Camp (Camp Alexander), frozen river ice cascaded over Rankin Gulch. Boots/crampons, Helmet/goggles, Ice axe/tools & harness. Three different pitches. Would finish on the middle pitch, large ice lip challenge.

[Left Ro curled up in the Jeep. Tired pup. We off-leash hiked an hour before meeting up with Dan.]

On Belay. Belay on. Climbing. Climb on.

First pitch (far right): re-familiarized myself with the equipment, easy climb.

Second pitch (far left): less stable ice. Slipped twice, self-arrested w/ my axe. No panic, on belay. Remembered why I LOVE ice climbing. Polar opposite of road marathoning. It’s a thinking man’s sport. Stop, think, select your path. No set rule – YOUR path, YOUR comfort zone, climb to YOUR personal strengths.

Fast forward 2 hours: Middle pitch, last of the day.

Arms shaking. Could not pull my body over the lip. Backed down, hung for 5 minutes. Attempted again. Mentally spent, not happening. Dan asked if I wanted help. NO! I JUST WANT TO QUIT! Breathe. Better human response: WHAT WHAT should I do? Reach high on your left. Left foot dug in, right foot scrambling. Hanging from a poorly placed strike. I CAN’T DO THIS! Plant your right axe. Strike holds but my arm is burning/shaking like crazy. Pulled off my glove, threw it below. Cold is gonna propel me/Cold is my friend. Reached out & struck, reached out & struck again. Not a graceful finish (pushed up with a knee)…but finish I did.

Dinner in Deckers, overcast & windy, weather’s a changin’. Sunday FUN-day, Colorado holiday ❤

: first climb in 2 years

: Lake George CO

: stop, think, select your path

: day’s WOW shot!

: Not a graceful finish (pushed up with a knee)…but finish I did.

: climbing guide, Dan

: weather’s a changin’, Colorado holiday ❤

Lake George Ice Climb

UK Run Challenge (Jan edition)

Published January 15, 2018

Be stubborn about your goals, and flexible about your methods

January 2018 update: Tough to start a new Challenge 10 days BEFORE the holidays – but that’s when this year’s Bighorn training program began, 6 months before RUN day: June 16, 2018.

Packed on 21 pounds between June & December 2017. Ideal to be REVEL Rockies weight again this June. Month’s food distractions: Christmas, New Year’s & Hawaii. Not really much of a dieter. Dropped .2 pounds first Month – yep, ZERO.2 🙁

Milestones:

January 1st – entry confirmed in Antarctica’s White Continent 50K (January 2019)
January 5th – Bighorn 2018 Registration (signed-up while in Hawaii, 100M distance sold-out)
January Week 2 – new Personal Best: 74.7 miles (most miles recorded in a single week EVER)

February MANTRA: Stay CALM – it’s a journey, not a Sprint

Hawaii/beginning of January (Ash), Disney World/end of month (Michaela/David). End-of-year reporting/Annual Budget due at work. On-call jury duty/U.S. District Court: February 5 thru March 2^nd. THREE pre-registered out-of-state marathons: 50 States x2 Goal.

Breathe, Life happens. Remember: it’s a 6-month Challenge.

Race ReCap: Hilo to Volcano 50K (sea level to 4000ft), Hawaii 🌺

Marathoning Streak: 50 months

Mileage ReCap: ended January at 157 miles (24 miles short of GOAL)

: ended January at 157 miles

: Pup & his shadow

Lands End to John O’Groats

1083 miles, the length of Britain

GOAL: 15 June 2018

Ended Month 1 in Farringdon, a village in county Devon.

The manor of Farringdon was long held by the “de Farringdon” family, whose pedigree from the early 13th century to the late 16th century is given in the Heraldic Visitations of Devon. Lancelot Farringdon (d.1598) “a proper and discret gentleman in outward show” was the last in the male line and committed suicide, was “found hanged in his bedchamber by his garter to the bedstead”. His estates passed to his two sisters, Abigail Farringdon, the elder, married to John Drake of Peter Tavy in Devon, and Mary Farringdon, the younger sister whose share of the inheritance included Farringdon, married to William Cooper.

: Mile 157: Farringdon

: new PERSONAL BEST

: my postcard journey

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Aloha & Goodbye

Published January 10, 2018

While Sis & Paul, Ash & Tom vacationed on thru Friday, woke Wednesday morning to MY last Big Island sunrise.

UP & out – headed to the ocean. Jogged/hiked/walked nearby trails, trekked alongside the ocean, stopped & watched paid dolphin encounters in the Bay, ran thru a Japanese garden. Waikoloa walkabout. GREAT day start!

‘Last day’ plans? Lazy pool day 🌺

Sis (& Paul) joined us poolside with a deck of cards (after birthday breakfast & paddleboard yoga). Game of the day (new to me): Kings in the Corner, a Greco family tradition. ADD guac PLUS coladas – bestest end to an active Island vacation.

Food, FAMILY, FUN & a whole lotta LAUGHS.

Listened to the community conch shell – blown long & steady, recording the day’s end. Sun burned pink, dipped into the ocean, completing its rotation ’til morning next. Aloha & Goodbye, Hawaii. Whatta holiday!

Red-eye flight back to Denver, play time over. Well, almost – shared an hour of LOVEs with my Ro (aka. the World’s GREATEST Pup) before reclaiming the previous nite’s sleep. GOOD to be HOME. LOVE LOVE my Colorado life ❤