Category Archives: Training Diary

By The Pool

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Al

  Snowmass has always been Aspen’s striving but failing little sibling. Overshadowed in almost every aspect except for the size of its ski area, Snowmass has long tried imitation, usually coming up short in comparison. Decades ago, long before they … Continue reading →

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Camp Week #1

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Al

Totals: Swim 3 hr 45 minutes, 9600 meters; Bike 12:15/190 miles (a lot of hill climbing!); Run: 4:45/32 miles. Totals: 21 hours, TSS 1165>>165/day. Seems doable with a rest day the following Monday. Fired Up, Ready to Go! Continue reading →

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Boston Marathon (Friday)

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Al

The Boston Marathon is intoxicating. For a long weekend, an entire region merges with a sporting culture, the two intermingling into en experience like no other. Sure, you’ve done a big city marathon before, and, sure, you’ve been to many … Continue reading →

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… peaceably to assemble

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Al

Easter Sunday, before Patriot’s Day, in Boston, MA. People are assembling freely, in peace, all over this crooked cradle of America. Today, in Old South for the Blessing of the Athletes, a scant block from where the first bomb went … Continue reading →

Posted in Races, Training Diary | 1 Comment

But It’s a Dry Heat

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Al

Casa Tierra Adobe B&B snuggles into the delta fanning out below the Rincon Mountains west of Tucson. These rugged hills are home to Arizona’s best preserved Saguaro forest, in the eponymous National Park, and Pinal County’s Tucson Mountain Park. Also … Continue reading →

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I Never Get Injured

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Al

The older I get, the more I’m looking for longevity in my athletic endeavors, hoping to fade away, not burn out. Continue reading →

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Chairlift Chatter

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Al

It hasn’t snowed here in over a week. The runs are slick, shimmery, and slippery, basically soft ice rinks. The undersides of the moguls shine, the tops are like knife edges. The sun and warm temperatures have conspired to bring … Continue reading →

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Long Run Redux

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Al

For some reason, baseball and distance running attract romantic writers who rhapsodize about the spiritual purity of these two athletic endevours. Maybe because both are so inherently boring that watching or doing them inspires a lot of inner dialogue? Anyway, … Continue reading →

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Perfect Moments

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Al

(Or: “Epic Storm, Day Four”) “Leigh! Cheryl!” My sister and wife were standing, fussing, at the entrance to the final loading chute of the Elk Camp lift. I’d called earlier, while riding the gondola up the hill. We’d planned to … Continue reading →

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Epic Storm: Day Three

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Al

I’ve been pacing myself, holding back from the urge to do 27-30,000 vertical feet a day, getting only 23-24, so that I can go the distance on this storm. Continue reading →

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