Today's Schedule

05.15 Gym to ride
06.40 Black venti bold (recovery)
06.45 Work
08.30 Kids to MST Christmas Race Camp (drop)
09.50 Work
14.00 Pick up kids
15.30 Work
18.00 Home
18.30 Eat/read paper
19.45 Rough house with dogs/lrs
21.00 Down

Tomorrow, repeat... please snow (weatherman wrong again)!

Getting Psyched!

Went over to Pete's today and got a look at the beast. The 2010 f/s race machine (well it's an '09). She's red, aluminum and I removed the hydraulic brakes first thing (and no carbon handlebar). I'm pumped! The last time I raced a full suspension bike was in the very beginning (starting with the Bowl's Hot Laps when they still had cross country events) on Alice. As a matter of fact, I think Alice is going to be jealous of Red, but we'll still get in a few rides on Alice; or, maybe the LR will race on Alice, who knows? At any rate, 2006 was a great year and I think a little extra suspension will help out on the long ones.

Speaking of long ones, I'm getting closer to figuring out the fun in 2010. Max is pulling hard for the Park City Point to Point, so that is definitely on the radar - going to have to ski SLC first. Also, seeing something is cooking down in Galena this year that looks like fun (love that place ~ need to ski there first as well)! It's been a while since I've returned to Hemingway's grave. There are at least five other events that are looking interesting as well and we will try to determine how to blend disciplines with some XC's for the whole crew. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking over Friel's work to put together my ATP. Also, will be reviewing the pros and cons of '09 shortly as well, what to work on for '10. By the way, what is a rando race? Hm? Seeing one in Bridger coming up about the same time we're there for other activities. Can one of those be done on the heavy stuff? Hm? Maybe just for fun in the recreational division? Hm? Have to get clearance from the boss.

A+ Day Today

Today was excellent. The LR's decided that it was the perfect day to stay home and deal with Santa's surprises. That meant time for me to head to my favorite hill and play as well.

The first stop was the Last Run to change shoes. As I was booting up I visited with Dick, a patrol bud who was wrapping up the lunch hour. We were set to load up on the Griz chair when he was abruptly pulled away on the radio for an accident. Prior to loading up, I asked if the Beacon site was set up and turned on. He said he though it was ready to go.

I spent quite a bit of time there getting to know Pieps. I located four beacons which were placed in the practice area graciously set up by MslaAvalanche. It was an interesting lesson which I was glad I took the time to walk myself through. Quite a few skiers came by and thought to themselves he must be taking a wee or something... This little Beacon Training Park is just below the Point Six access road, just off of Lavelle Lift north of White Bark in the saddle. After this session, I decided to skin up the road to Point 6. However, after seeing the level of wind blown-in snow on the road route [below], I said nope and decided to turn around and to take it straight up the ridge. Not sure why, but the west face made me nervous given the level snow above and along the road. It's a cliff [below to the left (west) of the below photo] pretty much. I love mtb riding up this road and as regular readers know, I spend a significant level of time up here doing intervals and finding myself during the spring and summer days. It is most peaceful during the weekday nights during the summer in Missoula - ie., no man's land. Today it was me and the ravens for part of the jaunt. During the winter, it's a bit busier.

After turning around, I quickly skinned up the face of Point Six just west of the tree line along the ridge. There was a man and his son who decided to boot it up and I passed them with the skis on. I quickly closed in on another fellow who had his snow board on his back and was wearing snow shoes. I backed off and left him alone, following him at the end to the peak.

That turned out to be the polite move as he visited with me on top below the antennas and took my photo [below]. After visiting, he decided to go off above the little lake. I felt it was too early season to go b/c in this area with little coverage and other issues.

The below photo is looking east from Point Six - towards Stuart. The above is looking north into the Flathead and Murphy with the west smog/cloud covered. Missoula was totally socked in but as usual the bowl was beautiful - a perfectly sunny day.

It's nice to get out of the city and experience the mountains away from the smog. I decided to take a few photos and as today was a gear check day, I sent a Spot OK signal to Molly from Point Six. It actually worked fine. It gave me time to pull the skins off and take a few shots of the hills while it was getting its signal. Perhaps I've been too critical of this device as it actually does work if one is patient enough to allow it to get a signal in an open area. It takes time.

The highlight of the day was catching the last chair, or close to it at four, going up the Griz to take one more. I put a significant amount of pressure on the a/t setup today. The Mt. Bakers can hold an edge pretty well. Also today, the adjustment from free heel to downhill was quicker as I banged the snow out of them this time. That can be a pain in the tail, taking off the skis and then making the change. However, the Dukes seem to be pretty strong. I spent the day in the Typhoons and the feet are still in one piece with some circulation. Actually, compared to my Lange's, they are feeling pretty good.

I spent part of the late afternoon catching up briefly with friends in the Last Run who I have not seen since the spring of '09. The mountain has new signs coming up and down the road. I took a photo on the way out! See you tomorrow.

Feliz Navidad

Joyeux Noel Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun

Merry Christmas!

Jeff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend Sox just e-mailed me over the lunch hour a photo too funny not to post. This was mile 73 coming back during Leadville. This was the class reunion stop. I was going to blow through this station, then I heard my (middle) name and slammed on the brakes. It was one of those moments in my life I'll never forget, catching up with friends from the CMA Class of '87 & '86 - Priceless! Thanks for sending it up Bob! Glad to hear the Griz will have some cheering tonight from Colorado! Go Griz!

It Was the Battery

I could not figure out the odd ball drops in the h/r on some of the recent sessions. So I decided to replace the battery in the strap and things are functioning properly again. Good deal. The h/r is coming down relative to this same hourly session on the 9th. Happy to see that too.

Crazy how I can get eight inches of new snow at the house and the Bowl gets 3 and surrounding ski runs about the same. I think my friend Bedrock got it right going to Lolo Pass. Oh, and Max says they are having avalanches all over where he is in UT. Stay safe Max man!

2010 Early Schedule Bummers

The regional ergomania conflicts with the Bridger race this year and Trash Can Man's CMA ski reunion in Denver conflicts with Showdown. I was hoping to catch that erg fest in Seattle this year as I've never been to one of those events. John, sorry again this year buddy! Kids are racing with the MST again and going to have a ball (I hope)!

Post Edited

I had to edit that post. Sorry Mike, I forgot I did have a V02 test with you bud!!! I also got some great help when I had a partial patella rupture a while back too from the folks at N. Rockies! Thanks guys!

Coin Landed Disco

Should have studied things a bit further prior to heading out this morning. The coin landed Discovery and that's where we went. The interstate and roads getting there were a bit touchy this morning, especially during the snow cloud when the guys driving large trucks with the lights that lit up the stadium last night passed going east on 90. I was hopeful the snow would have hit the Georgetown area as well, but as we passed the Maxville turnoff, I realized it was not going to be.

We had a good time regardless. A couple of the lifts were running and the tickets were only $15. I visited with a few Missoula folks who were there who we knew, and a guy came up and introduced himself as a regular TNRer who recognized me and today was skiing at Disco with his daughter. There were maybe 30 or so cars in the p-lot. It turned out to be a really good time, and great for testing the gear (hand-me-down rock skis that are longer for each of the LRs). We played around skiing on one ski. I also did a few runs with the typhoons and the a/t set up and things felt surprising great. Certainly excited for that! I love the back side of this family friendly hill. Lots to do back there and when the snow falls in this area it will be great as always.

Way to Go Grizzlies!

Still recovering from that game last night. Glued to the game until the last second! Missoula is on the moon at the moment. Way to go Grizzlies! Incredible! One more to go in Chattanooga.Additional good news, as seen during the game on ESPN, is that we finally got our snow dump! We stayed up pretty late putting on the red wax last night and I'm now (0500) reviewing the ski and snow reports to decide which local option looks best for the rascals. We have eight new inches on the deck. Coffee's done. Time to shovel for a bit and then head out! East, West or South today? Yeah!

High Intensity Training - Yea or Nay?

I've never used a coach (other than as a kid), trainer (other than knee rehab and a VO2 Test) or joined a formal team preferring to go it alone and learn through reading and doing. Learning through experience, mistakes and otherwise. In '08 I bought an ultra endurance mtb training plan (which I may update in 2010) but that's about it. Competing is really about fun, meeting new friends and finding a way to burn off all of the calories. Not to mention health maintenance and probably stress reduction. Since I started racing mountain bikes in late '06, my cholesterol dropped to 166 w/o drugs or diet change. That kind of thing is nice. I don't know what it is about the erg, but I like that too. If I had the bucks I'd buy a single scull and row on the small lakes in the area too. Mountains and water. We like them both.

This post on High Intensity Training on one of the boards I read got my attention as many folks in Missoula seem to be into the High Intensity method for their clients. Particularly the VO2 Max bit of the post was of interest. I'm not too sure about it. A good debate.

Like The Old Days

Today was a great day. Got together this morning at the GFS with three of my ski bum buddies for a cup of Joe prior to work. Knees, lungs and backs, they assure me, are all ready to go - young bucks these lads! One of them had not shown up in a while and got himself a Sheepheads lid. We shared some funny stories about the hunting season.

Then work went well also. Then, went to the gym to hop on a new erg I had not been on. Funny going to the gym. I visited with a bud about the lack of snow in the area, telling him I ran into one of the parking lot gang (at the Bowl) at a Christmas party who told me he has already "suffered his depression" due to the lack of snow in the area and was getting over it. At any rate, the new concept rowers at this gym actually have little boats on the screen to see how things are going. I could not figure out how to get that to work. But, about half way through the piece, Rup (my old British squash chum) came by and said hello and tightened the strap on my right foot while I rowed along on the machine. Then Jimmy came by too. That was cool as I have not seen these guys since the Court House days. Catching up with friends is nice.

The session went pretty well, but I'm a tad out of shape still. EPOC and h/r too high due to being off for a while. Will bring those down in near term. Getting on the bike helps. I swear rowing that erg is basically about legs, as I've done nothing recently with the upper body and still pulled off a decent effort. Tried to press the last 5k but the earlier bit was not strong enough. Heck, the H/R strap [needs new battery] almost worked through the whole thing today too! Work to do.

PS. Snow coming shortly. May have to go ski Sunday! Be nice tomorrow Thaddy!

Last Night

Pretty disappointed I ended this year with a poor cyclocross effort, but decided to do so knowing I enjoy playing in the woods too much and LR was chomping at the bit to learn to hunt after WDL's excellent Antelope adventure. Hunting this year did not work out too well though. Ending the season on a thumping usually promotes greater effort going into the next mountain bike season, however, and I am excited for that! I ordered up a new F/S ride yesterday. Not a fancy or expensive job, and I usually buy bikes the same way I buy cars, a few years old with little or no use. More on this later.

I still can't figure out why the h/r drops out in the few spots above. Maybe I need a new chest strap, as the present one has some gunk in parts of it. Maybe a new strap battery. The Life Fitness machines at the gym are pretty funny, saying in one hour I climbed 16,000 feet last night. Guess that must be a road estimate :~). I am starting to be able to maintain level 17 [300-316w] on the machine at 90 cad for longer periods, dropping down to 16 in between. The h/r should start to come down as I regain general fitness, which with all of the goodies going down during the holidays is always easier said than done. I'm going to have to throw a few ergs in shortly. Found a couple of machines in town I've not yet been on. Come on snow!

For My Snowbird Friends

The machine at the house says snow is in today's forecast. We are getting a skiff at the moment. The Clark Fork still has a few open areas west of the Higgins Avenue bridge this morning.

Truck's Ready

It's amazing what can get done when hunting season comes to an end. Waterfowl and steelheading are still on, but I took this weekend off. It feels like it's been a five day weekend staying home for two days in a row. Got the lights on the outside trees. This year however the snow is not yet there. It's plenty cold, however! Three degrees Fahrenheit right now. I also got the garage set up for tuning skis and today installed a portable ski/gear section in the bed of the truck. It should work pretty well for the long hauls ahead which this year are going to include more than the kid's race trips. Wood products are pretty reasonable recently at the local stores! The edges should make out a little better resting on some carpet and not the cold steel bed in the ski bags. At some point I need to mail the two shocks in the box to get refurbed. Still have not done that.

Let's Go Grizzlies!

We'll be pulling for the home team today! It should be cold. Last week's game shocked everyone! That's probably putting it lightly.

Selling Trees

Early in the '90s a friend of mine asked if I would go to lunch with him at one of the local Lions weekly meetings. After attending a few lunches and learning more, I decided to join the organization. However, it was not until my first year selling trees that I realized the local importance of Lions. While her mother was paying for their tree, a small girl came up to me and said "You guys bought me my glasses." That moment cemented my relationship with Lions. Lions come from all walks of life, and truly support local community needs. I've since made friends through Lions as far away as Peru. [Friends Jack and Kathy above.] I highly recommend the organization. Explore your local chapter. Come on by and buy a tree! We are at the fair grounds and will put the money to good use.