Cloud splitter Training Run

Recall, last year Mark and I ran the 25k of the inaugural Cloudsplitter along the Pine Mountain Trail in KY and VA.   So, this year, I'm running a 100k in Oct...yes, that's 62 miles.  So this will be my farthest run undertaken to date.  I found out that a few other locals (well, local being relative...Dayton and Columbus) are going to run this as well.  One of the ladies wanted to do a training run along the trail, so we set out.  In addition, we picked up a few others, that weren't running the race, but wanted to experience the trails.

To give you an idea of the Cloudplitter 100k elevation:

you start out with a hike up a rocky/rutty road...not running but hiking.  We ended up in the fog.  Finally, we broke out to views of this:

Got lost a few times near Gold Fish Pond, but finally figured out how to use a gps unit we had with our course on it.  Meanwhile we found an old cemetery:

Finally, it was up some more to the ridgeline:

In my recon of the trail, I found that there were limited water sources, the one being Goldfish pond, the other Jenny Falls.  That was a hike back up, but much worth the cold water and rest.

Finally, a short climb to the fire tower for some great views:

Then it was time to turn around and head back the way we came...down.  The quads are feeling that today.

All and all a good weekend.  My new UD HardRock pack worked like a charm and had plenty of room for food and even extra water I decided to bring back from the falls in the filter pack.  The Tailwind worked like a charm, preventing me from bonking and allowing me to eat as i felt like it, not having to force myself.  That's been a problem in some of my other longer races.  I'm excited about the 100k.

Weekend Fun!

Some pics from our visit to MI...

(make note...no remote control on this photo ;-) )

Darn ducks, showing us their best side....

some kayaking fun

a swan (and a goose)

now the duck turns our way...when the sky is grey.

Trip Back to UT

Some photos from my trip last week:


Antelope Island:

I found two pairs of Burrowing Owls:

Out to Bear River, I found a short-eared owl waiting patiently for me...

The grebes are dancing in the distance...this was the best I could do with what I had and the lake

Swans

Tracy Aviary

It was fun to watch the flamingos bathe...they would drop down on knees to be at water level

2015 -- Welcome the New Year

This year I'm not starting a new blog.  I plan to continue the one I started last year.  This should make it easier on me and everyone else (those few who follow me).

I didn't make any resolutions this year.  I hope I can find more time to think creatively and find subjects that jump out at me to photograph.  I have other plans this year as well...I signed up for my first 50 mile run in March.  I'm excited to go back to UT for the Buffalo Run on Antelope Island.  I know those trails well, so that helps.

A few from my walk in Grant Park this afternoon.

Bryce Caynon

Memorial Day weekend I went down to Bryce Canyon (and big surprise, went running):

After I finished, it started to snow!  At the time, it was my third run in a National Park and the third time it started to snow after I left the trail...

Trip Across Country

It's been hard to process photos.  I really don't want to spend the evening on the computer, when it seems my new job has me in front of one all day.  I took today off to play golf with the Ladies Team at NCR, however mother nature intervened, so I am working on photos.

Trip Across WY:  I already posted some of these when the laptop decided to work, but here area  few more.

From there I stopped by Devil's Tower and did a run on the trails around it:

Stopped by Mt Rushmore:

Finally, I started east...but only after a quick run through the Badlands:

then around the shores of Lake Michigan (no running):

It was a long trip, but I made it enjoyable by stopping and seeing the sights.