The Rut (plus a bonus track)

I sort of trailed off... the Dolomites had me fully and when I returned to the US, wham bam, "real" life (sort of) hit. Before I backtrack too far however I must acknowledge my present emotions of genuine happiness as I realize possibilities. This brings me to: THE RUT

On Saturday morning I woke up in the parking lot of Big Sky Resort near Bozeman, MT. Josey was confused with our 4:30 alarm but I lay there instantly awake staring at the ceiling of my Subaru. Somehow there is dog hair up there.

After waking up to 20 degree temps and snow the previous morning at rest stop parking lot near Sheridan, WY this morning's crisp 35 seemed balmy. Still, I fully changed into my running clothes within the warm confines of my sleeping bag before exiting. Josey stayed huddled under her blanket for a few moments longer, making sure my rousal wasn't merely a midnight pee break.

Joes ran a couple hot laps of the parking lot to warm up while I got things organized for the days big event - the biggest, most competitive race I'd ever competed in - a 50km running race up, down and around Lone Peak called The Rut.

Coffee, hot water and a heated room to eat in was generously offered to me by people that had been complete strangers just a day prior. So thankful to Rob, Erika, David and Ana for welcoming me into their hotel room to share warmth and pre-race excitement.

Before I know it I was at the start line, off and running. With a 6am start it was pitch dark the first 30-45min so you really had no idea where you were or what was going on. The intial uphill was a bit of a slog attempting to physically wake up but by the time we hit the first descent the sun began to rise and I heard the first hoots and hollers of the day as people began to have fun going down.

Stole this from the @iRunFar Twitter Feed - Lone Peak

Still not knowing a thing about positioning in the race, I was just happy running along. I knew I was fit and ready for the race but with some of the best female ultra runners in the world on the start list I didn't set any expectations for my self; my goal was to enjoy the trip up Headwater Ridge and Lone Peak - scrambling up scree and loose earth on all fours and then bombing the descents like a maniac. So, with these expectations in mind you can imagine my surprise when I realized I was in 4th place after the decent off Headwater Ridge.

I can't really go into the details and blow by blow of the race because the experience was mine and that's about all I can make of it right now. But let me say this: it was awesome. I was so incredibly psyched to be running well and the technical secitions of the course were insanely fun. I realized that I live and breathe mountain running. Its like a drug to me; the kind that sets the world in slow motion and makes you savor every second. I could go up steep slopes with false summits forever and if I could run down scree fields for all time I imagine I'd find heaven at the bottom.

Lone Peak - from The Rut website

My stomach was a bit iffy after the Lone Peak descent and I think I didn't eat enough the final couple hours of the race so as a result I floundered a bit at the end but, meh. I had been swapping out between 4th and 6th postition all day long with two girls named Ellie Greenwood and Hillary Allen and after the last aid station the wheels kind of came off. Another woman, Kristina Pattison passed me at this point as well but whatever, 7th place finish was fine by me especially considering the last time I did a race like this (Standhope 60K in early August - see below) the wheels feel off aproximately 3hrs earlier so I'm pretty darn pleased with the progress. Best of all was Ana was at the finish line with Josey - god do I love that dog.

In short: I had a ball in Montana and mountain running, sky running - whatever you want to call it - its the shit. Yes, the shit. I can't wait to do more of it. The mountains are calling more than ever and I really must go now with out hesitation.

Damn, you know what? You know why I'm so excited? Its because I love sport. I love challenges. I love mountains, being outside, wild animals and wild things and for the first time since I was 18 I feel like sport - my vehicle for all these wonderful things - is truly on my own terms again. Its a beautiful thing. BEAUTIFUL.

Ok, now for a bit of backtracking. Please rewind to August 6th at this juncture:

I got off a plane from Italy and on to a shuttle bus Fort Collins bound. Upon arriving to the final destination of my car parked in the Greely Walmart lot at 1:20am I proceed to pull out my sleeping bag and immediately fall asleep. Home sweet home.

The next morning I picked Joesy up at Mike and Stacey's where Bagel had kindly tollerated Joesy's precense the past 2 weeks. The pup and I hopped in the car and headed north, then west, and then north again to Idaho for one last trip before some semblance responsibility had to set in. We were off to do a race called Standhope 60K in the Pioneer Mountains near Ketchum, ID. I'd never been to the infamous Sun Valley and I was excited to check the area out. Josey and I took our time getting to ID, sleeping somewhere in UT along the way - its amazing how well I sleep in my car. Without sounding like I'm trying to make something mediocere great because of the novelty, my car is really surprisingly cozy and I feel safe as ever with my guard dog curled up in the passenger seat.

The Mug

I arrived in Ketchum and was immediately welcomed to Sun Valley in the best way possible: Standing in line for a coffee at the Starbucks downtown I was fidgeting looking at the array of coffee mugs offered. I've been on a quest for the perfect coffee mug that would keep beverages scalding hot and never leak in my backpack... and didn't cost an arm and a leg. An older gentelman behind me asked me what I was looking for and I explained my deliemma. He told me about a great mug he had gotten at the kitchen store across the street and I took note, thinking maybe I'd check the store out if I remembered.

Anyway, I sat down with my coffee and immediately forgot about mugs as I'd say this mug shopping had been a hobby of mine for a few months now... sometimes I go on such an arduous quest for the perfect specimen of my desired object that I end up never actually buying the item or buy some poor excuse for the ideal on impulse because I can't stand the search anymore. Despite forgetting, what do I know not 15min later the man appeared by my side and handed me a bag from the kitchen store with an exact replica of his perfect mug. Its does not leak, keeps my beverages hot, and is indeed perfect. In fact, I'm drinking coffee from my mug right now.

People are really amazing sometimes (this reminds me - the aforementioned Ana and David of Bozeman, MT were perhaps the nicest people ever - gave me and Josey their guest bed room after The Rut and fed me a delicious dinner along with the best kind of company). Is it possible to be this lucky all the time?

As for the race: Standhope was fun. I was for sure a bit wiped out from travel but it was so cool to run throught the Pioneers and challenge my self with 11,000+ feet of elevation gain in a day - a first for me. Althoght I was basically incapible of running the last ~13miles due to a simple complete physical inability to do so (regardless of will) I enjoyed the crap out of the day - avoiding thunder and lightening, climbing over passes, and again - bombing the downhills. After the race I again met two awesome individuals, Joe and Dan, of Park City, UT. In exchange for a ride to their car they bought me dinner and beers back in Ketchum where we discussed starting a new ultra running event that includes bow hunting. Ultra Mountain Biathalon - or something like that. Stay tuned.

I headed home through Park City, Utah and got to meet the Hillary Nitka, my friend Katie's mom. I'd been wanting to meet Mrs. Nitka for ages after collaborating with her on the beginnings of a former work project in Park City the previous year. From Park City, I slowly made my way home through Vernal and Steamboat, over Cameron Pass and into Fort Collins where I was able to establish a permanent residence once again with Lee and Marie. Love my new basement room.

School has been off to a hectic start getting the TWS Camera Project going at full tilt with our first school visits at Boltz and black-footed ferret release up at Soapstone. Class are fun and I'm working on a cool new coyote behavior study using some fancy software at the National Wildlife Research Center. Its all the awesome kind of stuff that keeps me psyched about getting through school.

Snowmass Lake/Mtn along the 4 Pass Trail.
I didn't take this picture.
You can buy it here:
http://www.mountainphotography.com/photo/snowmass-lake/

Don't worry thought - the chaos of school didn't slow Claire and I down over Labor day as we headed to Aspen to run the Maroon Bells 4 Pass Loop (I set the Fastest Known Time on the loop! whooop!) with our friend Daryl and then meet up with Katie and Erick to do some siiiccckkkkk (whaaaat?!?!) car camping in Buena Vista and hikes/runs up to Cathedral Lakes and Mt Princeton (got one 14er this year... check). Claire was a trooper battleing the flu of sorts - still doing the whole 4 Pass Loop and then making a solid comeback after looking deathly ill for 24hrs or so. Damn.

Ok, thats enough for now. What next you ask? Wednesday night fly to Seattle. Meet up with Claire and some people I don't yet know. Drive to Mt Rainer Thursday morning.

RUN THE WONDERLAND TRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life sucks.

P.S. I lost my camera. Sorry for the lack of pictures/stolen pictures. I'm working on a solution before Wonderland.