Two aggregately moderate, but high intensity weeks of 74 miles with 18900' of gain, and 79 miles with 21100' of gain.  08.13.13 Lolo Peak from Mill Creek Trhd., 19mi, 6500', 3h34m11s:I've found that I spend too much time driving up the Mormon Peak road when I go to Lolo peak, and that doing this is … Continue reading Getting esoteric.

Managed a few enjoyable long runs in three different ranges this past week, as well as some shorter high-intensity outings close to home.  Total mileage for the week was 97 miles with 29800' of gain.  Done in around 19h30m.  08.05.13 Sentinel Hill Climb + Etc. 12mi, 3300', 1h45m:Did the M to Ridge Trail to the … Continue reading Narrowly avoiding big round numbers.

A trip to Austin for work necessitated a fairly mellow week of training, simply due to time constraints.  Totals of 50 miles with 6900' of gain.  07.30.13 Double Dip Course, 13mi, 3000', 1h57m:Ran this depletion style, imbibing no calories or water before or during.  I took a solid tumble while descending Smokejumper, skinning both knees, … Continue reading An uncomfortable recovery week 7.29-8.4

Had a fairly eventful week, completing two longer outings which I've been interested in for a while, both of which ended up more exciting expected.Summary statistics:Distance: 94 milesVertical: 20900'Hours: ~2107.23.13 Double Dip Course, 13 miles, 3000', 1h50m:Similar time for this course as last week, but with no cramp breaks.  Felt like I was doing good, … Continue reading Being frightened of heights and bears.

Closed out the week with three more outings for a weekly total of ~90 miles and ~27000' vertical. I was quite tired from Pyramid Buttes Sweeney on Thursday, and just did a short run to the top of Sentinel on Friday with Louie.  He really has a hard time with the heat.  Even in the … Continue reading In the Missions and the Swans.

After my brush laden, deadfall jumping, gendarme frustrated voyage of 30 miles through the backcountry of Idaho and Montana on Saturday, I took a day off on Sunday to collect firewood, and had a 6 mile, 1400' run up and over Sentinel on Monday.07.16.13 Double Dip, 13 miles, 3000', 1h50m:  On Tuesday I opted to … Continue reading Running race courses and continued gendarmigans.

I finished out my week with two long runs with very different characters.Cumulative weekly stats: 90 miles, 22hrs, 25000' of gain.7.11 Stuart Peak, 19 miles, 4600', 3:05:Morning cruise to the top of Stuart Peak and back.  This trail is really perfect for moving quickly.  There are no rocks, the grade is pretty uniform, minimal deadfall, … Continue reading Long runs in the Snakes and the Roots.

I've now officially registered to run The Rut 50k on September 15th at Big Sky, which means that I have to stop having fun and start training.  Whatever that means.I've started trying to incorporate some Fartlek into my week, particularly on mornings when I don't have time for a long run.  In particular I'm trying to … Continue reading Official training.

7.7 Castle Crag - 15 miles, 4900', 4:30:On Sunday I ran to the summit of Castle Crag via Sheafman Creek northwest of Hamilton.  The run to the lakes at the head of Sheafman was straightforward, albeit with several creek crossings, some serious bogs, and many roots and downed trees.  Those are the things that make … Continue reading Two new Bitterroot summits.

For you folks who grew up doing vaguely outdoorsy things, do you have a particular region that imparts a sense of overwhelming nostalgia?  I do, and for me it's the northern part of the Idaho-Wyoming border (including the Tetons and the Yellowstone's cascade corner, to Alpine Canyon and the Big Holes).  In addition to learning … Continue reading The reverse Q continues: A double crossing of the Tetons and fireworks.