Tilapia Ontopia

With our original intent to carry ropes and climbing gear, a forecast of 60% rain, persuaded us to trade up for tarps, more beverages and gourmet food. And so with sun peaking over our shoulders, we headed down to Thompson Creek Trailhead.

Camp was set atop of a 150 ft bluff overlooking the confluence of Thompson Ck and Sipsey Fork. Evening activities included an night run through the woods and then chanting round the fire.

Walk About

As I continue to focus on my Ironman, now less than 10 months away, I have asked a lot of questions and talked to a lot of people. The repeat theme has been to get a plan. And so now I must.

As I have begun this preparation it has become obvious that there are may areas of training. Of course there is the physical, both in strength and endurance, and here is where the plan and activities will build the body. Running, Riding, Spin classes, Swimming....all go the making the body strong.

Second is nutrition. It is one thing to carbo load the night before the race, any race, so that you have the fuel to finish. There is another aspect, teaching the body how to refuel during the race. To be able to absorb and digest while pushing and stressing the body. This will take education and experience.

Third is mental. Learning that I can do it. Something like a Century Ride, once seamed insurmountable, once accomplished, becomes part of the mental achievable. And thus was my reason for my day long walk about.

So on Sunday January 7 at 7:00 am, my friend Duke and I set out on a one way walk, no destination, just a direction and the will to walk for the next 10 hours. And while there was nutritional and physical preparation, it was the mental to be challenged. Without going into all the details, I was able to complete my first Marathon, partially in the rain, at a walking pace, found a new running pace during a short 5K after 28 miles, and ultimately completed 37 miles in 10+ hours. Blisters on the toes and a few aches in the hips were the extent of the pains. Text messages and fone calls and the support of my friends made the challenge a success. Thank you all for being my friend.

Ship Rock

Ronnie, Gracie and I loaded our packs and hiked back into the Thompson Creek Trailhead at Sipsey and camped at the base of Ship Rock. The weather was warm and moon clear in the sky. We ventured out on a 1.5 hour hike/run though the woods where Gracie spooked an amadillo and chased it down the trail.
Back at camp we practiced a few 3 move climbs which begged us to come back with more gear.


The next day Ronnie and I discovered the path that leads to the top of Ship Rock were we found our next camp spot for the whole gang.

Christmas Vacation

The girls and I had a wonderful oppurtunity to spend time in Florida on Cocoa Beach two weeks before Christmas. Along with their boyfriends, we spent 6 days hanging on the beach, shopping, riding airboats through the marshes, visiting Grandparents and playing at Islands of Adventure.

The weather and timing was excellant. The amusment park was empty and we were able to ride the Hulk no less than 6 times with hardly a wait in line. The boys, determined to master the boogie board on the beach, ended up with more sand rashes than distance long the surf.

With a short visit to Great Grandparents and then Grandparents, we were all ready to get back home.