Ironman Arizona 2011 Training Report

First off, thanks to Kirsten for giving me so much support over the past 12 months. She's endured hundreds of mornings alone (some to her delight I'm sure:) while I was out playing on the bike, Rillito running path, and mountain trails. Also, many thanks to all our friends who have posted such wonderful comments about the event. Training for and finishing an Ironman triathlon was very much an individual experience for me, but being able to share the outcome with friends and family makes it all the more meaningful.

Training for this event really started a year ago today. After signing up online a day after last years event the clock started ticking, and the countdown was on. Training consisted of doing what I love; riding my bike, running, swimming and cross training. I trained 6-7 days a week, rode about 4,550 miles, ran over 1,400 miles and swam 94 miles. I trained from 30 minutes t0 7 hours per session. Cross training consisted mostly of rock climbing, tennis, hiking, and bicycle commuting to work.

I burned a lot of calories. These numbers are a bit exaggerated because they are calculated by my watch or bike computer but it's the best estimate I've got. I burned around 220,000 calories biking, 174,000 running, and 28,000 swimming, and 103,000 cross-training.

I spent a lot of time training in each discipline. I spent 275 hours biking, 210 running, 58 swimming, and 190 cross-training. Most of these hours were spent alone, without music. Yes, I had plenty of time to think and learn about myself. It was time well spent and I encourage others to try it.

The key to high volume training for me was to keep it fresh and interesting. Maybe I could have trained smarter and finished faster but I can truly say I never burned out and never over-trained. I logged all my athletic activities this last year and spent 37.5% biking, 28.7% running, 13% hiking/climbing (mostly on rock climbing approach and descents...thanks Dave!), 12% tennis, 8% swimming, and 10% in the gym.

And now it's over and another year begins....

Ironman Arizona: A video

Adrian outdid himself this weekend by finishing the Ironman Arizona - his first - in 10 hours and 41 minutes. He completed the 2.4-mile swim in 1:10; the 112-mile bike in 5:21 and the 26.2-mile run in 3:58. I put together a brief video of photos from the event.

I'll let Adrian write about what it was like to start and finish an Ironman event. On my end, I saw what seemed like every possible emotion expressed on the faces of the 2,800-odd participants. Relief and pride; fear, doubt and frustration; and of course, elation. I wasn't just watching an event. I felt like a voyeur.

Goblin Valley 50K: Details and photos

Adrian and friends Billy and Gar all participated last month in the Goblin Valley Ultra Marathon. The 50K race - as well as the 25K and 10K running events - is held in Goblin Valley State Park, a hodgepodge of mesas and sandstone formations located in the San Rafael Swell about 32 miles north of Hanksville.

Adrian and I drove up from Tucson and arrived a day before the race. We camped with Gar and Nicole and Billy outside of the state park off between county road 1013 and a small wash tucked alongside a steep cliff. We set up our tent and gear among desert scrub and juniper and dozens -- and I mean, dozens - of old fire rings.

The following morning, the boys were up before sunrise to prepare for the race. The sub-35 degree temps encourage me to stayed in the tent as long as possible. We all piled into the Subaru and drove to race start, just a few miles down the road.

The race began at 8 a.m. Adrian finished the 50K course in four hours, 20 minutes and came in second place overall. He was the first man to finish. The woman who won finished in three hours, 55 minutes. Gar and Billy stuck it out together for the entire race and finished in five hours, 50 minutes.

Below are a few photos from the day. 

Cold start.

Sunrise at Goblin Valley State Park.

Heading back through the wash.

The final mile is through the hoodoos.

Lost among the hoodoos.

Adrian approaches the finish line.

Adrian cheers on Billy and Gar.

Coming up the road and then a final push through the hoodoos.

Billy and Gar approach the final pumpkin

Finish!

The first man across the finish line ...

First man to cross. Meaning, the race winner was a woman.

Adrian and I left the warm temps of the Sonoran desert last week for the much cooler -- OK cold -- environs of Utah for a 50k run at Goblin Valley State Park. We met our friends Billy from Colorado as well as soon-to-be-from Montana friends Gar and Nicole. The run, which Adrian, Billy and Gar all participated in, began at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. 

Adrian came in second place and was the first man across the finish line. Billy and Gar completed their first ultra marathon in good style and within their time goal despite a niggling leg injury and a stomach issue. Stay tuned for more information on the race, and the rest of our travels through Utah, including Bryce and Zion national parks.

Photos: Mount Rainer summit bid

Our three-person team -- Adrian, our friend Robert, and me -- began our Mount Rainier summit bid around noon. We decided to take some extra time and spent two nights on the mountain. The first day we hiked up the Muir snowfield and camped below the hut. The next day we hiked to Ingraham Flats. At midnight, we began our climb to the summit. We reached the summit by sunrise and were back at our tent by 8 a.m. After a nap, we packed up and headed all the way down to the car -- and later pizza and beer.

Here are a few photos of our summertime adventure.

Ready to begin our climb.

View at sunset looking south. That's Mount Hood in the background.

Another sunset shot from the Muir snowfield. 

Hiking up Muir snowfield.

Approaching Ingraham Flats, the last camp before the summit. We set up our tents here and then started our summit climb at midnight that same day.

About 50 feet from the summit. Winds were consistently above 30 mph and gusting above 45 mph. Check out the lenticular cloud behind us. That cloud would eventually hover over the summit and would close the door on any climbers hoping to make it to the top later that day.

Adrian and me on the summit.

The official summit is behind me. We were the second group to summit that morning, right at sunrise.

On our way down the mountain. Our friend, Robert, is in the back. I'm in the middle and Adrian was the leader. Check the rope for an indication of how windy it was.

A morning view to the south as we descended.

Adrian finishing the Boston Marathon

I have the video, but .... I can't seem to figure out how to turn it right side up. So here are some photos of Adrian pre- and post-marathon.

At the exhibition, picking up his number.

Trying on the official 2011 Boston Marathon shirt.

At the finish.

It's over! Not a PR, but at 3 hours, 29 minutes, Adrian was able to enjoy the race.
He even sampled a beer en route, courtesy of some Boston College students.

A marathon and some chowda in beantown

I'll let Adrian give a rundown of what it was like to participate in the Boston Marathon (back in April). Here's what I can tell you: People from every station in life were geeking out about the event. Every where I went, I overheard people talking about race strategy or saw folks running. I don't care if you're a runner or not, it was hard not to get excited about the marathon.

I noticed a difference when we changed planes in Philadelphia. There were people all over the airport donning gear from previous marathons. Our connection to Boston had a dozen of other marathon qualifiers on board. Once we arrived in the cradle of liberty, the anticipation for the marathon was palpable.

The city itself exceeded my expectations. And the rainy day that followed the marathon didn't dampen our enthusiasm for the city. We bought tickets for a trolley tour and jumped on and off at various stops, walking between points of interests as the weather allowed.

Watch out for another post with video of Adrian's finish and photos around town.

And we're back.

We've been busy adventuring (also working), and not very busy blogging about it. A few friendly email reminders and some suggestions to 'update your blog already' have inspired me to provide some much-needed updates.

Stay tuned for photos and some brief descriptions from a few climbing, hiking and running outings, including Mount Rainier and the Boston Marathon.

Things you may find on a backcountry climb in Arizona

You might find a torquoise mine. All the big juicy specimens have been harvested but you could find rocks with bright trace minerals to take home. A great reminder of the adventure.

You may find inscriptions dating pretty far back from the miners that worked this claim.

If you looked really closely, you could find little creatures. Careful where you step and reach. Some of these creatures could be very dangerous if they get upset while others use camouflage as a form of defense.

If you dare venture into the mines, do so with caution and a good headlamp or two. Listen for creatures that dwell deep within the depths. Play the video below for an example of what you might see or hear. Thanks for reading the blog! Happy New Year!!

One of my fine climbing partners, Robert, joined me on a great climb called KR Goes To Vallhala. We completed what we think was the second or third ascent of this 5.8+, 700 foot climb up the northwest face of Pontatoc Ridge near famous Finger Rock Canyon.

Looking down pitch 2 about 1/4 the way up. Note vegetation that would clean up with traffic. But don't expect that anytime soon. No queues on this route, even though I thought it was great.
Robert climbing the upper portion of pitch 2.

Looking up the crux 5.9- exciting corner. It looks loose, but it's actually pretty solid.

Climb up past agave to roof and turn it on the right with little protection. I thought this was the mental crux, if not the physical one as well. The roof move was done 20' out from protection with potential of a ledgy fall if you blow it. I didn't blow it.

Robert on the summit ridge with a great view of Tucson. A quick one hour hike down and we were homeward bound, which is only a 10 minute drive. Gotta love 10 minute commutes to 700 foot 2nd ascents. Oh, did I mention the 1 hour bushwack to the base of the climb?

A little out of order but I wanted to show the vegetation. I see agave, shin daggers, and other fine desert flora. A great two bolt anchor thanks to the 1st ascentionsists Kevin Mayhew and company.

New Routes in Cochise Stronghold

Been spending as much time as possible putting up new rock climbing routes in Cochise Stronghold as well as 2nd ascents of recently climbed towers here. In keeping with local tradition, I've sworn that I would not publish said routes on the Internet. We believe that this sacred land is one of adventure and should so remain.

We bolt on lead, from the ground up, and only when absolutely necessary. No sport routes.

Hoping for one of these for Christmas :)

2011 Boston Marathon: ON!

The 2011 Boston Marathon opened for registration yesertday at 9 a.m. and closed at 5:30 p.m. Last year it took 2 months to fill, this year 8.5 hours!

Luckily I was on it and signed up early. After missing out last year, and having already arranged frequent flyer tickets and a hotel for 2011, I was going to leave nothing to chance.

Training starts in earnest November 11, about the same time I start tapering for the El Tour de Tucson bike race.

This blog will follow my journey to Boston.

The Colors of New Hamsphire

The rarely traversed route from "Toe Crack" to "Thin Air'.


Sugar Hill. Yes, we procured local boiled maple syrup.



Reminded me of home and made me homesick. I miss my family and friends in Wisconsin.



A geeky pic of a geeky guy:)



Many covered bridges adorn the scenic highways. They were covered to protect them from the elements.


This is our Chevy Aveo rental. A nice car.



A wonderful bridge and a wonderful woman.

Book of Solemnity: Cathedral Ledge

A short post on a great climb. I'll quote Ed Webster again, "A great line and an all-time New Hampshire classic, with a famous 1st pitch and a spacious belay ledge...Make increasingly difficult moves up the dihedral to the first roof, face climbing past three pitons around the roof's right edge to a large and comfortable belay ledge."

The pitch was first graded 5.9+, the traditional rating of the day. Today the rating is 5.10a.