Salida Marathon - Post lube (pub crawl)

No rest for the wicked they say. :D after cleaning up we headed over to Moonlight Pizza for some of the most awesome pizza ever. A Large Caveman pizza later, and we are set to start drinking. We walked over to the start at the 1st St. Cafe. A tiny bar in the back was perfect for the hashers. There were a few pikes peak hashers already their waiting for us. Let the drinks flow. We took a couple of group photos along the way. Brownie and I were the hares, and we planned on hitting every bar in the tiny historic downtown of Salida, Co. :D


After watching Kerri (AWF), get absolutely hammered on a "delicious and delightful" drink that she got the bartender to concoct, we headed over to our second beer stop...sans Kerri. LOL she had to go to bed, and fight her own demons. :D more importantly, the headache. Some microbrews later, and we were gone, on to the next bar. The names escape me, but it was a whiskey bar. The owners were very cool, so we had 2 drinks at this bar.

Next stop, a country bar. hahahaha gotta have a country bar in the mix. This was fun, and the ladies were out on the dance floor dancing, along with Gordo and BLOS. :D


At some point, at the 5th bar, Bill shouted out that he'd never had Tehuaca (sp?), so Gordo promptly ordered us all a round. bleh!!! but, being non-whining hashers, we obliged, pounded it, and moved on to Jager Bombs. : LOL

Gordon was exceptionally gracious in his beer purchases. hahaha and it was a blast to meet some new people/hashers from Colorado. We managed to spend so much time at this bar, that the last 2 bars, were closed. So we decided to just close this bar down. Later, passed out in my bunk bed at the hostel, I couldn't help but smile as I realized how epic this weekend had been. The following day, we would drive back to Colorado Springs, and do a brewery tour on the way back.

on a side note: While running the last few miles of the marathon, I noticed some very grey and ominous looking clouds coming in. Sure enough, that night, the storm blew in, and by the next morning, it was cloudy, overcast, and snowing hard....for like 20 hours...all the way back to Colorado Springs. If this would have happened on race day, I'm remisce to say that I would have turned left at the stop sign, and run the 2 mile fun run, with the 10 year old kid that was out solo. HAHAHAHA

Salida Marathon - D-Day. March 13, 2010

After crashing out about 10pm the night before at the hostel we were staying at, I woke up about 30 min before everyone, and was just running things through my brain, making sure I didn't forget anything in the prep before the race. yes, I know, anal, but hell, it was going to be a long 26.2 miles. :D

We got dressed, camelback ready, gear ready, time for a bit of food. Peanut butter, banana sandwich, some coffee and some light fun in the morning, as we made our way to the start, packet pick up, about 4 blocks away. After securing our numbers, we made our way across the railroad tracks for the start. Today was amazing, sunny, fresh, crisp air....good friends, good fun to be had, and I had a smile on my face as the race start was announced and we all started moving forward. the first few miles would be a straight climb, gradual, but noticeable.

My plan was to not check my gps until the first aid station. I ran with Nacheux and we kept each other company, as I got used to the thinner air, and the uphill battle. Spirits were high, and this is what I was expecting. So we pulled forward, lightly talking, but making forward progress all the time.

Some stats, before I go further.

Start elevation: 7,400 feet above sea level.

Peak: 9,100 feet above sea level.

Terrain: trail, rocky, uneven, snow, mud, water. :D

Finish time: 6 hour 47 min.

The group photo before the race started: myself, Nacheux, Kerri, Matt, Katie, Brownie and Gordon. Couldn't have asked for a more spectacular day to run in.

We climbed further and further, on the fire roads, so the going was good. Just making tracks on smooth even surface. We hit the first aid station, and it was about mile 3.9 or so. no biggie, 22 miles to go. :D got some water, and remembered to get some salt in me, as I tend to sweat out a lot of salt on my runs. lesson learned in Thailand where I bonked hard. The further up we went past the aid station that had the cut off to the trails, the more mud we encountered. At this point I didn't care what we ran through, I was making tracks. I was not so winded unless I went over my limit, so I kept an even and steady pace throughout.

I noticed I was able to recover quite easily, so I had that going for me. The nervouseness had worn off, and now it was about accomplishment. I would finish this race. No matter what.

I can't say enough good things about the trail, it was really cool. I do prefer to run trail races, as they present more of a challenge, and this race was proving to be the most difficult challenge I had to date. Even more so than my first Ultra marathon. Nacheux and I kept each others spirits high, snapping pics, and moving along. I don't think I stopped but 2 times, briefly, for photos, the rest of the time, it was non-stop movement forward. Otherwise, I would have gotten too comfortable and probably stopped for too long. With the sun out, a lot of the snow was turning to slush and mud. And with roughly 90 people trudging through here before me, it was messy.

Nacheux and I made it to Turret, Co. for the turnaround, and downed some much needed gatorade and some snacks. The way back was a climb out of Turret. When we made the aid station at about mile 18, they had PBR, so what did we do? We drank a PBR of course. hahaha

It was at this aid station that we were cutting off onto a rather small trail, which had thankfully been run with snow cats to get the snow packed and make it easier to traverse. I was using a lot of energy to stay upright in the thin ruts. And it was taking it's toll. I was tired, legs were burning, but surprisingly, I was not out of breath. I had to motivate hard to run the downhills, and then I would let gravity take over, and run at a good clip down the trail. The last 4 miles or so were almost all downhill, so Nacheux and I started to run a lot. I do well on the downhills, and that's usually where I make up time. I have to work on the uphills, hence a lot more hill repeats, as I want better movement up the trails.

About 1.5 miles from the end, one of the race coordinators was on his mtn bike and told us that we were 1.5 miles from the end, and had 17 minutes to finish, so we would have to run the last 1.5 miles. WTF?!?! for real? this was a blow to me, even though I knew I had to do it, it was going to be hard. I would run the downhills, and walk hard on the flats, but kept making myself run as much as I could, with the help of Nacheux encouraging me, and both of us helping each other.

When we finally hit the flat spot along the rail road tracks, I could see the end, and was just making time. Feeling like puking, I figured it was now or never. Run mofo, run!!!! I could faintly hear the others yelling at us from the other side of the river to run!!!! Trust me, I was doing the most running I could. hahahaha

We went over the tracks, and I think I yelled at Nacheux "where the f*ck is the finish line?"

hahahaha because we had to go under this bridge (below) and then around to the finish line.

I hear brownie yelling to power up and run it in, and so I did. I had just enough to sprint (I think) across the finish line. I forgot to click off my gps, but when I did, it said 6:58. hahahaha beat the cutoff by 2 minutes. The time would later be ammended to reflect where we actually came in, at 6:47, I think I was one stride in front of Nacheux at the finish line.

This was us running it in, and the photo finish at the line. I was beat, breathing hard, and about ready to collapse. and I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! It was the greatest event I've done so far, and absolutely the hardest so far. I needed it, it has recharged me, and reminded me what it's like to push my body and to have fun along the way. I don't take these events so seriously, that I lose sight of the fun to be had. I don't have aspirations of being competitive, but hell, I love that I can finish it, spend time with friends and drink a ton of PBR. :D

Congrats to Brownie for his 12 place finish. And congrats to Katie for thrashing me, and yes, I paid up on our bet, and bought her a beer.

A much deserved PBR at the end. My appetite was shot, and I couldn't stomach food. It took me about 40 min to be able to eat some of the soup that they had. The hot food felt really good going into my stomach. After recooping a bit, I was able to walk back to the hostel with the rest of the group, to get cleaned up, as we had a pub crawl to go to....matter of fact, I was the hare. LOL

Taking a breather after the run, mud caked shoes are no longer new. haha

The course map outlined via gps and google earth. Take a look and let me know what y'all think.


My one and only special and most favorite of photos. HAHAHAHA Me running in front of Brownie. Yes, it happened, and yes, there is photographic proof. I think I'll have this one enlarged and framed and put in the center of the "Gaylord is awesome" Room. :D

Overall thoughts:

I need to log more miles. I have worked out a good plan to get more strength in my hill climbs, and am working on that. I have made the decision to sign up for the Avalon 50 miler in January 2011, and that is my goal at the moment.

I have signed up for some other races, including the New Orleans marathon in February 2011. It will be a good recovery run.

I have also decided I will run another 30 miler, or two in the bay area. Unfortunately the skyline 50k which would be a great run, falls on the dates that I am out of town in Texas.

I need to schedule 2 50km races before the end of the year. That is the short term goal.

on on

thank you Colorado.

Salida marathon - prelube March 11-12, 2010

Well, the day finally arrived and I jetted off to Colorado Springs to meet up with a few hashers and get ready for the Salida "Run through time" Marathon, in...where else, Salida, Co.

Nacheux was there to pick me up, PBR in hand, righteous. After downing it, we stopped by her place to grab some stuff, and then we were off to Knob Hill (if I remember correctly) for some beers and to meet the rest of the PPH3 guys.


1st pic: myself, Meatgazer, Tonka Butt & Brownie.
Lots of PBR was drank here. I think we cleared 26 tall boys (24oz) of PBR. :D at the 1st bar, hahaha
3rd pic: The hashers in front of the wall of fame!

After which we rolled over to the Black Sheep to watch a band, that never arrived. We figure, as much as we can remember, that we left there about 11pm to the next bar. I think. :D maybe the Irish #4 bar?! who knows. I know I passed out in the truck, and then passed out at Katies, after stopping at the Kings Chef for dinner, passing out in the booth and telling Nacheux that we should leave.

Everyone had a blast at the Black Sheep, even though we didn't get to see the band.
The next day, I needed to get my legs loose, as I hadn't really run...in a while. haha
So Katie, Nacheux and myself went over to the Garden of the Gods, for a quick run, and to feel the altitude.


This is a pretty scenic section, where everyone comes to get a photo, so I obliged as well. You can see Pikes Peak (snow capped) in the background, and the small line going diagnoally to the right, is "the incline".

This was a good day to be out. We waited for wanker to be done with work so we could drive out to Salida.

I have to admit, I was getting a little nervous about the run. It had been weighing on my brain for a few weeks now. Especially since I didn't have the miles under me that I should have. Nonetheless, tenacity, stubborness and the will to keep moving forward would have to carry me through.

The Wall, Oakland Hills, Ca. 3-20-10

So this past weekend was great. 3 days off, the weather was sunny and mid 60's to low 70's all weekend long. What better than to spend a few days exploring and getting outside. With a few runs over the weekend, I put in some miles and was happy about that. Saturday we rode out to "The Wall" in the Oakland Hills for some scenery and to run into a few friends.

Ran into Ben, Katia, Kurt and Jeff up there, as 2 of them were out riding and stopped in, and the other 2 were riding home from work, the long way. Good times, I enjoyed a nice chelada, great conversation, weather, and scenery. The ride home was spirited, as well as the jaunt across the bay bridge. :D as per usual.

A shot of the bike, right off the edge of "the wall", overlooking Oakland, the bay and SF.

Sunset in SF. (spring has returned)

Friday night, last week, I had the day off and spent it with a good friend. We ran around town on the motorcycle and seeing the fog coming in, we went to Treasure Island to watch the sunset, and down a couple 40's on the rocks. Pretty cool site.
After a while, we got bored, and I decided we should try and make it to the other side of town and see what the sunset looked like from Ocean Beach. A quick ride across the city breaking minimum traffic laws and we were here. as seen in photo.

great time. great sunset, and so glad to see that Spring is back in the bay. :D

Snoop-a-loop, at the Fillmore, 3/3/10

Went to see Snoop Dogg at the Fillmore in SF. He was 2 1/2 hours late for his start, and had a bunch of music and rappers jumping on and off stage before he came on. They played his movie "Malice in Wonderland", and I guess it was to make it seem like the concert was long, when in reality, he just played 50 minutes worth of a show when he finally came on.

Don't get me wrong, once he played, he rocked it...or is that rapped it...but damn, if I'd known that was his schtick, I woulda shown up 2 hours later. cool poster though, and at least I can say I saw Snoop D.O. double G.

Austin fun. Feb 27th, 2010

What happens when you go out for drinks with co-workers on your last night in Austin? Well, for one, I realize that I went to a bbq truck on the corner of Red River and 7th st. mostly because I woke up with an empty plate of BBQ in my bed with me, and this picture in my phone. LOL

What's even better, is that I looked over on my mantel and saw this beautiful and probably priceless painting sitting there. wtf?! oh yeah, I remembered later, that I apparently bought this painting off the wall at Mugshots bar. HAHAHAHAHA I love Star Wars and this just looked right. The bartender made it so easy when he said he could just add it to my bartab. heh. how easy is that. :D 50 bucks later, this gem is now a part of my collection. LOL

what a great night out in Austin, with a fun crowd of co-workers. I think I have more pics somewhere about it too. I think I miss the going away parties and the welcome back parties the most.

The Tank!

Doing his best Zoolander impression. hahahahaha This kid is getting huge. Hadn't seen my nephew since the day he was born. He's huge now. :D spent a good evening with them on the 2nd of March, right before flying back to SF, and right after finishing up my contract in Austin, Tx.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

.....enjoying a free day off in SF today. It's a bit overcast with haze, but hell, still warm enough to go out and ride.

Having a blast the last 3 days off. Riding about the city. hit the wall yesterday in Oakland, and some lane splitting fun, chasing down bikes. :D

time to explore the city some more.

what neighborhood?!
(keep your mouth shut about the Castro, Brownie. Already checked it.) LOL

coffee is good.

New Orleans Marathon

Registered for the New Orleans Marathon, February 2011. hahaha
no turning back.

this will be a good "recovery" run, as I am planning on signing up for the
Catalina 50miler....better known as the "Avalon 50", right around January 15-16, 2011. :D Which will be my first 50 miler.

Salida Marathon - Check

Start time 9am, in Salida, Colorado

Running through time...and SNOW! wtf?! hahaha

Finish line pic, with our obligatory PBR. and a google earth gps mapping of our run.

That was the hardest race I've run...yet. :D But it was worth every bit of the pain, hangover, soreness.

I'll have a proper race report in a day or two. Have to get back to work, but feeling really good despite the race stats.

Start at: 7400 feet

Peak at: 9100 feet

Finished in: 6:47

Distance 26.3 miles

Between the altitude and minimal miles run, it all worked against me. But it was a perfect way to test myself and see what I can do. For now, I've decided to set my eyes on my first 50 miler in January 2011. Yes, I plan on doing some 30's before that, and another couple of marathons, but that will be my biggest leap in miles.

I think the biggest reason it was so fun and tolerable this weekend is that I did it with a good bunch of friends/retards. We drank a lot, we laughed a lot, and we ran a lot. Eating at Moonlight Pizza was phenomenal.

Earning 2 "Clean Plate Stickers" at Kings Chef in Colorado Springs was also a highlight of the visit.

Running through Red Rock Canyon and the Garden of the Gods was simply breathtaking. Especially with the fresh snow and sunny skies contrasted with the red canyon walls.

be back soon. with even more photos. :D

To Pop or not to Pop...it....

stupid blister on the heel of my left foot. pretty good one too. got it, breaking in some new runners on a walk. bah. not what I want right before flying out to Colorado to trapse around in the snow and mountains for the Salida Marathon. hahaha

Flight leaves this morning, hoping to get out of work early for a couple hours of zzzz's.

looking forward to visiting Colorado again, it's been too long.

dammit, I promise to get pictures up soon. when I get back, I have a few days off, and I will sit down and post up from the trip to California, then Salt Lake City, back to Austin and some fun here in San Francisco...and and and.....then the Colorado pics. haha

be back in few days. ciao

Snowboarding the weekend away.

Spent the weekend in Reno, and went up to Squaw Valley Olympic Mountain resort for some fun with my brother in law, while my sister is laid up resting. We had a great day and ran into some friends from the bay area. We were in line prior to the lifts opening, and kicked it over some crazy stuff. It's definitely more intense here than at, say, Northstar or Mt. Rose mountains.

A week ago C.R. Johnson was killed coming off one of the faces, and fell and hit his head on a rock. Breaking his helmet. He was a local, a pro, and X-games medalist, and seemed to be wearing all of his protection possible. Sometimes, shit just happens.

Nonetheless, we had a great time, and the weather was very cooperative.

Spent the weekend catching up with family, and Chris and I are signing up for two triathlons this year. the Graeagle Tri and the Donner Lake Triathlon. The first one is a repeat of what we did last year, after camping on the lake near Susanville last July 4th weekend. This year the plan is to actually swim properly (with training LOL) and also to bring road bikes. :D

The Donner Tri is about twice as long, but I think we can knock it out. We'll see. haha
The plan is also to sign up for the SF marathon and actually be sober enough to make it to the start. haha

as well as another ultra. we'll see if I go to 50 miles this year.

packing up to hit the road.

It's strange, but anytime I know I'm coming to an end of a contract, I seem to get more accelerated in my purposes and in getting things done. The thing I have a hard time doing, is packing up. haha not cause there is a lot to do, but because it takes me a fairly short time to do, and I can be in and out of a residence I have in roughly 2 hours. so, I guess I procrastinate. But then again, if I had packed things up days ago, I'd be sitting around bored, and with nothing to do. get it? haha

but now I'm awake and nearly 4am, and thinking of what I can load up now in the truck, I'll load the motorcycle early this morning, get some coffee and start the arduous journey to McAllen, where I'll leave my stuff before flying to SF tomorrow morning super early.

I'm so used to going through larce city airports, that I need to remember, that going through security in McAllen, might take all of 10 minutes or less. haha

anyway, I'll be in Colorado in about 2 weeks for some running and beer. and apparently I'm haring a run. which is even cooler.

on on

BLAST OFF!!!

Well, that rounds out a 4 month contract at Dell Childrens MC in Austin. I can't say enough good things about this hospital and it's staff in the Peds e.r. They are the most fun I've had in a job in more than 5 years. We worked hard, saw some crazy shit and partied harder, together, as a cohesive group from the same unit.
Most I have in California was random people getting to know each other, as the unit there tends to more isolation between staff, due to the nature of the childrens illness. (Usually, 1 RN per patient)

It's sunny outside this morning, as I took a deep breath and walked out of the hosp. We had a blast last night, loads of fun, with the wide range of patients. Lots of food on accountant of it being my last day, which was great. And a bunch of us went over to Amaya's Cafe for breakfast and beer.
The girls gave me a box of Frosted Flakes cereal, in honor of our conversation earlier that night about what breast milk tasted like, and since they had both nursed, they said they'd both tasted their own breast milk. hahaha in and of itself awesomely hot!!!! hahahha So I asked what it tasted like, and they said, mildly sweet milk.....kinda like the milk in a bowl of Frosted Flakes. hahahaha

The days are gonna fly over the next week. A supposed Full Moon Hash tonight in Austin, the regular AH3 tomorrow, and the guys from work wanna get some beers tonight, probably after the full moon H3.

it's going to be nice out, in Austin today. Gonna wake up early and see what's going on.

Dear Leuk,

Skin so soft on her head
color is blue
vomit on bed
meds are given
no more twitching
just another day
working in the kitchin


bleh night at work.

countdown continues: 1