Training is coming along for the Flagstaff 50k and Grand Canyon R2R2R. Each week, I've added on about an hour to my long runs. The runs haven't gotten much longer each time in distance, but they have in difficulty (i.e. more hiking uphill). Everything is feeling pretty good. I'm trying to be smart this time.
Time for a double Wrightson! I've only done this twice and it is hard. Starts around 5,400 feet and goes up to 9,400 feet.
To Josephine Saddle: 47 minutes
To Baldy Saddle: 1:37
To the top: 1:59
Total time: 3:26
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| Coming down after 1st summit |
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| Wildflowers everywhere! We've had so much rain this Summer |
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Dallas was getting over a foot injury, so he hiked up and back and brought the Elvis dog along for his first long hike. He did great.
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| Elvis at the summit of Wrightson |
Took a 15 minute break at the car to resupply water, drink a Coke zero, down some Perpetuem, and eat a turkey/avocado wrap.
Second round trip:
To Josephine Saddle: 55 minutes
To Baldy Saddle: 1:45
To the top: 2:07
Total time: 3:28
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| On my way back up as Elvis and Dallas are coming down |
Took me a little longer to get to the top, but I was faster on the way down the 2nd time. My downhill running is definitely getting better.
Total for both: 6:54 (excluding break time)
Total miles: 21.5
Total elevation gain: About 8,000 feet.
Other friends out today - Tom, Chris, Mike, Benedict, Betsy and Sion. There were reports from other hikers of increased drug smuggling in the area. Wrightson is close to the border of Mexico. Why they would come up towards Wrightson and up and over Baldy saddle, I do not know. Men have been spotted with very large backpacks and there has been increased Border Patrol in the area.
I wasn't too worried - they don't want you to see them anymore than you want to see them. One fellow reported someone with a pack quickly stepping off trail on an upper switchback when spotted. I never saw him, so either he scaled down the side somewhere or was hiding pretty good.
My quads were pretty trashed after Esperero the week before, but they appeared to be stronger this week as a result. After running 8,000 feet of elevation downhill, I was hardly sore the following week.
I am not sure if anyone is still reading my blog, but I almost let it go this summer after I started my new job. I decided that I really enjoy having my blog as a log more than anything else. Looking back at the things I've done has been fun.
So, onward with the blog I go. Not done with it yet. It has been tough and joyful to blog for 5+ years. I can see myself aging, but I can also see the ups and downs with the running and my life in general. Loss, disappointments, victory, friends, new adventures and being in the outdoors with God. I love this life.
