Author Archives: Al

Second City (Mustang VI)

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Al

From 1380 to 2008, the upper Mustang valley was ruled by a single dynastic line. Six hundred twenty eight years is a long time for political stability; what led to this continuous succession within one family over 24 generations? In the … Continue reading →

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Rocky Road (Mustang V)

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Al

After we freshened up – which consisted of taking off dusty hiking boots – we climbed down to the tea house dining room. Windowed on two sides, it overlooked the town, which slanted below us as it crowded to the … Continue reading →

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Up, Up, and Away

Posted on October 29, 2016 by Al

At 2729 meters (8930’) above sea level, Jomsom is roughly the same elevation as our home in Snowmass, Colorado. As we traveled the next two weeks, every now and then I would give Cheryl a reference of our elevation to … Continue reading →

Posted in Mustang, Travelogues | 1 Comment

Kagbeni

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Al

  The bells seemed distant at first – a faint metallic rattle filtering through the drafty window of our second story room. Just as the planes and airports had been growing progressively smaller and more primitive as we moved out … Continue reading →

Posted in Mustang, Travelogues | 1 Comment

Riverwalk (Mustang Journal II)

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Al

Jomsom Airport sits on a low plateau just west of the Kali Gandaki river. Both north and south, the riverbed spreads out nearly a mile wide, filled with rocks sized between walnuts and melons, brought down from the barren Himalayan … Continue reading →

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Ironman Maryland 2016

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Al

After this race, I’ve got a new coach. No, I’m not replacing EN, but if Rich and/or Patrick aren’t around, I’ve got a great substitute – my wife, Cheryl. She completely turned my race around in the middle of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Triathlon Central | 4 Comments

Ironman Maryland 2016 Race Plan

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Al

INTRODUCTION This is IM # 32 (of which 3 were DNS, and 3 were DNFs); this is the first year since 2007 I will be doing only one IM. I picked Maryland because (a) it’s in the fall, (b) I’ve … Continue reading →

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Ironman Maryland 2016 RR #2

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Al

Today was RR #2. My primary goals were to stand up every 10 min on the bike, and follow my nutrition plan just as I intend on race day. Perfect Fall day in the mtns…My course was a new one, … Continue reading →

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Advanced Class: Pacing The Ironman Marathon

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Al

I posted this today on the Endurance Nation forum. For hard-core triathlon nerds only… This morning, I read Tim Cronk’s comments on Dawn Cass’ IM MT race report, regarding the relative value of pace, HR, and RPE during the IM … Continue reading →

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Jose Can You See?

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Al

I used to think Colin Kaepernick was stupid. I mean, if you only saw him play, as I have,  against the Seattle Seahawks, you might wonder why he was deemed worthy of getting $114,000,000 for playing six years as an … Continue reading →

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