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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2013
10
PostsAtacama Crossing (2013) blog posts from Rick Baraff
08 March 2013 03:30 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
I had plenty of time yesterday during the longest stage to work up a few introductions to this final update from the course, but a bit of time (it's now the next morning) and some thought makes me go with something less dramatic. And so... hola from camp 5, mere miles from the real end of the race back in San Pedro. Tomorrow, stage 6 is all but a procession or formality, though I'm sure we'll run it all. It's only about 10km. Then.... what we've all been dreaming of for 6 days - pizza and beer!
I'm sorry that you aren't getting our blog updates in anything close to real time. We did have to pay $50 extra for the privilege of blogging from the field, yet it's essentially in vain as they pack up the computers and must take them back to town each night to connect to the internet and upload - rather than how I thought it would work; in which they would have satellite uplink from out here in the camps so we could be more connected in due time. A few things for the suggestion box....
Backwards, to Stage 5. Billed as approximately 73 km, we'll never quite know the exact distance, but let's go with that. In miles, it's about 45. There were 6 checkpoints and then the finish line. The start was one of the most beautiful and dramatic. From our camp on the shore of a large salt pool, the course flags went INTO the ankle deep pool for the first couple of kilometers! Thus, we would begin the day with wet, salty feet and shoes. No one was really sprinting so early with so much in front, so it was a fun, picture-taking excursion as we trekked along. We actually trekked instead of ran practically to checkpoint 2 as after the wet, salt flat the terrain became simply dry, crusty, pot-holed salt flat. And again, everyone was thinking of the final 50+ km out into the heat, etc. I stayed with a large lead pack through CP 2 and then felt good enough to run with the leaders through checkpoint 3 and towards 4. It started getting quite hot, and we ran into more difficult terrain - a moonscape of cracked earth, white salt-capped rolling hills, loose sand, and rocky jeep tracks. As far as the terrain went overall, it was close to being the most difficult stage if you take the length into consideration, perhaps the most difficult. We then climbed up a 150 meter tall sand dune into a scene from a Martian movie. No real way to describe it other than it would make the perfect setting for another Planet of the Apes film. It was actually different terrain than we'd seen previously. Across this for about 2 km and then down a sand hill to checkpoint 4, about 1/2 way to the finish.
From here, the wheels on my bus started falling off, coming completely off by checkpoint 5. All I'll say is that it was another electrolyte imbalance brought on by simply thinking I probably needed more than I really did out there; thus I possibly over hydrated with electrolytes because my stomach started rebellilng. By checkpoint 5, I was walking more than anything and threw up some plain water - I had nothing else in my stomach. I sat for another minute, went over my condition with the doc on site (they had one at every checkpoint, well organized this way). No worries, I told them, it's unfortunately something I go through a lot in ultraendurance events. From CP 5 to the end - another 20km or so - I was basically reduced to walking. We had one last climb after the last checkpoint, up into the famous Valley of the Moon, and incredible landscape of element-sculpted formations and peaks, similar to Utah, but with salt crusting and a bit more jagged. I had my head down through most and had put my camera in the back of my pack to conserve energy, as the disappointment was quite strong due to my condition. Finally, the last downhill to the finish and a time for the stage of just under 11 hours.
I am still in the top 10 overall which is a great result that I'm happy with. Again, just being out there racing with such great competitors - and more importantly people/friends - is rewarding enough. We'll see the official final results tomorrow after getting back to San Pedro. Today... is simply our agonizingly long 'rest day' - rest for those who crossed the finish line, there are still a few souls out there I believe. All I can think to tell for now. Salud! Adios!
06 March 2013 03:54 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Buenas tardes from camp 4! Stage 4: check! We're officially well over halfway and just about two-thirds of the way 'home.' Whew. Stage 4 was another challenging, vista (and sand and salt flat) filled marathon. We've been slowly descending over the stages and got into the real white-capped salt flats today; it looks like a light dusting of snow on an unplowed field somewhere in the midwest - and feels similar underfoot. Crunchy, sometimes tricky going. We started with a bunch of rolling sand dunes for about 10km before turning sharply downhill into and through the little town of Tonopa (I believe that's the name, could be incorrect). Either way, it was a brief pass through as the town was only a few dozen structures. Then out across a long, slightly downhill sand plain towards today's featured section - the aforementioned salt flats. We hit CP 2 just before the salt, a bit over halfway the day's finish line. Of course the heat turned up and we were required to take extra water for the 13 or so kilometers across. I assumed the same game plan as yesterday - just drink until the body really really says eat. And it worked again! I felt pretty great through CP 2 (about 20km) and well into the salt flats. I had a bit of gel in one water bottle to CP 2, then gulped down a helping of my patented rocket fuel (a handmade, mad scientist mix of a bunch of available sports and supplement products) and jetted out into the flats. I was able to maintain a pretty high position throughout the stage, jostling between 5th and 8th. After coming out of running in the salt flats (CP 3), we then turned onto a jeep track through the flats for another 8-10km (though they told us it was only 6.5 km... none of us came close to believing that number after tackling the last section). As with yesterday's stage, they again teased us because we could see the finish line from a few kilometers away... but had to make a huge circle around a salt pool in the exact opposite direction before turning for the finishing straight. This was not nearly as bad as the final 4km of yesterday's stage where we the finish-camp came into and out of view nearly a dozen times as wound up and over dunes, down into canyons, and generally anywhere but straight in.
I don't wish to jinx anything, but must say that I've run myself into the top 10 overall! I finished in 6th for today's stage, just getting nipped for 5th place by a young, energetic Korean guy who's been slowly getting stronger over the stages as well. Sometimes we pick our battles, and while he almost certainly would have outrun me if I decided to sprint against him, I have quite a fair amount of time on him overall.
We are camped again on the edge of a body of water which we can't go in because we have no means of getting the salt off. Surrounding us in all directions is 'snow capped' salt flats. The peaks of the Andes jut up over the salt pool. Unfortunately the sun sets in the opposite direction but should be dramatic light on the pool and mountains. The night's stars have been jaw dropping. One of the world's top observatories is in the area because of the altitude, clear air, and darkness. We get an amazing show every night.
Tomorrow... the long march. Estimated at 75ish kilometers, we're expecting a few more. Certainly an all day affair. We start out through the salt flats and climb over a ridge before it gets relatively flat throughout the remaining. Plan is to gut it out. Stop at every checkpoint, regroup, move on.
Adios for now. Look forward to catching up with everyone from San Pedro in a few days... there's going to be quite a big fiesta on Saturday.
Comments: Total (5) comments
Michael Laukert
Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 07:50 pm
I feel like I there, minus the heat of course!! Great to read the daily blog - trials and tribulations of your time in the Chilean High Desert. You're doing GREAT, keep up the hard work. Cheering you on big time All the best buddy See you back in Napa soon
Sean Clancy
Posted On: 08 Mar 2013 04:52 am
you are executing on your plan! Hope you are enjoying it too...
Carol Staitman
Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 05:27 am
Wow...another fantastic day in the sun and salt! Unreal how you keep the pace and enjoy the run. You keep moving up the ranking which is grand at #7. To us rooting back home- you're a winner for sure. Maybe you should market that special Rick's Rocket Fuel. I can already see the commercial possibilities! Love you, Mom
Nancy Felz
Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 04:05 am
Go Ricky Go! It is so exciting to follow your progress and I am extremely happy your Rick's Rocket Fuel is up to the task. When you get home I will have a nice big margarita waiting for you- hold the salt, maybe... xoxo
jeff felz
Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 04:04 am
Professional wonderer! Ok!
05 March 2013 03:16 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Buenos dias from Camp 3! Someone wearing the #8 jersey had a great stage 3 today (me!). Yes, despite tampering with the in-race food plan, I felt pretty strong - considering the conditions of running miles 45-70 (approximately) of a 150 mile race... in the Chilean desert... in extreme heat... with a big backpack... and some sunburn on the legs... - and finished in 8th place on the day. Very happy. Racers are succumbing to all the maladies you can think of out here: dehyradtion, blisters, injuries, extreme weight loss, sore muscles, blisters, and blisters. I'll admit to a healthy amount of that list, but for some reason, just came around well today. And the plan was.... don't eat. Brilliant, eh?! After 2 back to back marathons in two days, go out and run another the next day... without eating anything! Well, it worked. With the requisite stomach issues I too often incur, I thought maybe 'just drink until you're hungry and then eat' instead of 'you must eat even if you're not hungry' - the standard ultra distance mantra. Well I had about 300-400 calories (about the equivalent of a Snickers bar) in the 5 hrs, 20 minutes of running today and despite just the fatigue of hauling up and down sand dunes and more (see next paragraph) and it went okay. Power of positive thinking was my fuel today. ;)
So, after departing the beaches of the salt pools (where we all had to watch tourists flop about all day), we almost immediately jumped into miles of crusty salt marshes. You know that bit when you're walking on the beach and the sand is hard and crunchy in some parts and you can crack through it with your foot and sink in? Yes, we ran through that stuff for a while on the first section. After the first checkpoint (about 1/4 of the stage) we had a nice flat dirt/sand road for several kilometers before... you guessed it, turning into more salt crusted marsh lands where we also ran through some shoulder high vegetation. I went out at a decent, but comfortable clip with the lead group from the outset and held on til near CP 1. Our two neck and neck leaders started running away with two others and I ended up in a small pack of 3-5 racers for a while, just a few minutes back. It was nice to have some comraderie; been fairly racing alone the first few stages. Not complaining, it's nice to commiserate - or crack jokes - with others too. Ran into checkpoint 2 with a few of the guys, in about 5th thru 9th spot, refilled with as much as they'll give us (basically 2 water bottles full) and then tried to hang with the group, but things just spread out sometimes. We ended up coming out of the salt crusted flats into raw sandy desert where it was a slow walk/jog to checkpoint 3... and this is where it all went uphill into the most difficult section of the entire race, including all days. We ran/walked across some open desert slowly going uphill for about 8 km out into the blazing sun and across flaky rocky ground interspersed with plenty of sand. They told us that we'd climb up a steep short sand dune and the camp/finish would be there... and after crawling hands and knees up the short dune with another American competitor, Kyle from Seattle, we shook hands, congratulated each other on going along well, and walked towards two cameramen perched on a large rock outcropping with a volunteer in a Jeep, expecting that they were the first party we'd see at the finish. Well, they proceeded to tell us we were still ab out 4 km from the finish! Not a lot if you're out in the park going for a stroll (about 2.5 miles), but when you look out after 20-some miles of running and all you see is sand and rocky terrain going uphill, it's not the most welcome words. So Kyle and I put our heads down and trudged forward...
Thankfully we were somewhat warned that oft times in this race you can see the camp/finish line in the distance... but the course jogs and turns and climbs and dives quite a bit en route.. and that was our lot today. After a few more large sand dunes, a river canyon, being routed around some structures, and generally being teased away from the finish line, we stumbled up the last sand dune to the finish. As mentioned, 5 hours, 20 minutes today. As I also mentioned, 8th place on the day! And only 30 minutes behind the leaders, for the day. Overall... I won't be catching up unless I hop in a sports car. We're camped on the edge of a small river valley, volcanoes and peaks still everpresent around us. Temps: well into the 90s and probably at 100, thankfully there's a considerable breeze that picks up in the early afternoon and turns into heavy gusts in the early evening, dying down around 9pm. We're basically relegated to our stuffy canvas tents or the cyber tent (where we send these missives) as there's no shade around... so there's lots of idle chatter and getting to know folks from around the globe. A great bunch all together.
Only another marathon tomorrow, but terrain gets progressively easier from today (if anyone can believe that). Then, the long march on Thurs, about 73 km....
Comments: Total (6) comments
Ben Parker
Posted On: 07 Mar 2013 02:53 am
Okay blog. Can you be a little more... inspirational? Kidding, of course. Good stuff! Don't know how you do it, man? Sounds like the race is going great and you're enjoying yourself. Hang tough and keep on keeping on.
Dalene Barnard
Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 08:13 pm
Hi Rick I am a South African following Amanda and love reading your version of evnts as well. You are doing great hang in there for the last one. And remember to enjoy it its a once in a life time moment.
Josh Wozman
Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 06:43 pm
Rico! My man, keep it up! Any Terrible Towels down the way?!
jeff felz
Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 07:01 am
great recap...whew!
Ricks Mom
Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 04:16 am
I'm exhausted just reading the blog! As usual, you boggle my mind with your endurance and fortitude!
Proud of your goals and achievements . You are already a winner to me. Hugs, Mom
Nancy Felz
Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 03:32 am
happy to hear the breatharian lifestyle is working for you! i figured that as the race continued we would see your finishing times creep up...keep it up babe!
04 March 2013 03:53 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Hola from a very hot camp 2! Stage 2: complete. A lot longer than yesterday, about 6-7 miles longer, but also much slower overall. There's an amazing race right at the front of the pack - two guys literally going toe to toe. They had a sprint finish today and were 1 second apart. Crazy for such a race as this. I tried to "take it easy"(tm) today and it went okay. Felt great through about 1/2 the stage, then slightly downhill to the end, but no dehydration.... it's just a loooong, slow race.
We are all raving about the first two legs of today's excursion. After "go" we ran about 10 minutes on a road before plunging into a flowing river canyon for several kilometers. We crossed and re-crossed the water, and traveled in a slot canyon for a bit. beautiful and welcome coolness. Shady the whole way. After CP 1 (each checkpoint was about 11 km apart today) we ran down the same river canyon as it opened up into incredible rock formations, then we turned up a road and climbed out of the river gorge, and then through an old mining (?) tunnel about 250 meters long, before twisting back on ourselves above the tunnel and onto a breathtaking ridge overlooking the river canyon. We 'ran' along the ridge for a few km before hitting one of the highlights of this race -- the giant soft sand dunes, which we proceeded to run/skate down with abandon. Certainly a lot of pictures on the website to check out. We hit CP2 at the bottom (about halfway for the day) and then, tortuously, had to skirt the town of San Pedro where we enjoyed our hotels, great restaurants, and food/drink/etc, barely 48 hours prior. From here it was mostly running in shallow sandy/muddy stream beds, and then out into our first taste of some salt flats. Hard and crusty on top, slow going along the way.
At this point I was cruising along okay, just tired from two days of running long distances at altitude I'm just not accustomed to. So, as today I wanted not to push too hard, I alternated running and hiking with my Chilean tentmate, a younger guy named Nelson, with whom I crossed the finish line on Stage 1. He melted back after several kilometers, and I stumbled into CP3 to refill the water bottles... and head out for the final 11 or so kilometers, which took well over an hour... just slow and go in the rocketing heat. When I crossed the finish line --- 5 hours, and 45 minutes after beginning -- the temp was about 39 Celsius which is around 100 F! Thankfully the breeze made it not so bad.... but now we've all had to sit around in it recovering for hours.
I just about held my place in the rankings I believe, finished in just about the same position as yesterday 11th or 12th. We covered about 26 miles today, so we're just under 1/3 of the way back to San Pedro and the famous finish line pizza and soda fanfare. Not thinking about that though, just recovering for practically another marathon tomorrow... and the day after.... all before nearly a double marathon the day following!
Camp is agonizingly right next to two beautiful pools of water, however they are higher salt concentrations than the Dead Sea, so getting in them is incredibly unadvisable as we can't shower and don't have enough water to wash.... just part of the adventure.
Cheers from Atacama! I spent much of the Stage taking lots of photos, so much to share later. Adios!
Comments: Total (0) comments
03 March 2013 03:35 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Stage 1 in the bag! Whew... Probably the shortest day at a mere 20 point something miles. Aside from pulling my rather usual dehydration routine, I got along pretty well. Thankfully it's a loooooong race, so I was able to staunch the dehydration by taking it slow at the end of the stage and making it to the finish without much incident. Its now a few hours later, and pretty much back to 'good'... though we're hanging out at Camp 2 in roughly 100 degree heat at nearly 9000 feet, no A/C, only amenities.... hot water! Yes, but only for your freeze dried food or drink, not bathing. We have an allotment of water otherwise, but that's it - this is adventure! If you didnt carry it, it ain't here.
So, how'd I do in Stage 1?? Not a shabby 11th place. Practically everyone who finished ahead of me has either done this race before and/or other 4Deserts races. One guy's just a madman... new pal from Perth, Australia who came in 2nd.
Camp is.... just like campin'. Everyone sitting around chit chatting, eating, trying to stay cool, checking gear, meeting and greeting.
Stage 1 started in very nice cool weather and was overall downhill, but no one really believed it much because of the long 3-4 mile uphill just before the finish. As I write, last coompetitors straggling across the line in big heat. I also stare out at the omnipresent, snow covered volcanoes and peaks surrounding us.... awesome. Keeps it all in perspective.
More from Stage 2....
Comments: Total (8) comments
jeff felz
Posted On: 06 Mar 2013 01:07 am
I guess you must be too tired to blog anymore. You must be having the time of your life...photos are super. Keep it up!
Scott Simon
Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 04:32 pm
I am looking forward to your pictures... Did you leave out some water to bring good photo equipment? If so, a little risky but not a bad idea. That region offers some of the most majestic landscapes i have ever seen. I hope you continue to appreciate your experience.
Evan Hyde
Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 03:59 pm
Stay strong, Sasquatch is coming for you.....
Simona Hadjigeorgalis
Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 12:07 pm
Wooohoooo!! Go Rick! The Simon, Wright, Marks, Hadjigeorgalis crew are all cheering for you. Wishes for abundant energy and wellness!!! Keep on rocking it!!!
Nancy Felz
Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 05:22 am
Hey babe- What's up with our Daily Adventure Diary?! We're all waiting with bated breath!
Also, I want to make sure you are getting the emails I have sent you through the website...
Keep strong. It's about the war not the battle, so push yourself but save a little juice. That's enough cliches for now. XO
Brian Kaplan
Posted On: 05 Mar 2013 01:47 am
Nothing like a casual stroll through the desert for my friend Rick! Good luck and stay hydrated.
Ben Mahoney
Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 05:42 pm
Yeah Rick! Session proper and stay hydrated. If you see me on top of that snow covered volcano waving down at you, that means hydrate yourself, I'm not really there.
Great start, we are keeping track and routing for you!
Nancy Felz
Posted On: 04 Mar 2013 03:44 am
good thing you have pounds of the patent-pending Rick's Rocket Fuel!!! xo
02 March 2013 02:55 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Hola from the start line of the 2013 Atacama race! We arrived here about an hour ago but have to wait until tomorrow morning to officially cross over it... we're at camp, and it's pretty awesome. All the racers hanging around, getting sorted in their tents, eating pizza and sandwiches from town, chatting, and trying to keep everything from blowing away in the afternoon wind!
All around us is open high desert, sand cliffs, volcanoes and mountains in the distance. Stark beauty. It will probably get a bit chilly tonite, but we shall survive, I'm sure. Race weather looks to be cool and perhaps breezy. Stage 1 is approx 30k/20m with an overall drop of about 500 meters, so the inline skates would have been good to bring! Looking forward to finally getting underway in the morning. Pack weighed in about 9.5 kg at checkin, trying to eat some food before running off tomorrow. Decided to go "light" because a number of other competitors are forgoing a bunch of luxury items.. and heck, I figure the adventure racing background should have me going gear-minimum too... the only problem is that we get to loll around in camp each day for several hours, so a few luxury items were in order (like comfy shorts to mill about in). Didn't bring the flip flops, puff jacket, or blow up mattress. Have two blowup pillows and a thin pad from the backpack that will have to suffice in place.
Cheers from Day 0! More from the course...
Comments: Total (2) comments
Jamie Rogers
Posted On: 03 Mar 2013 07:35 pm
Love you RJB! Be safe
Mom Staitman
Posted On: 03 Mar 2013 03:55 pm
We believe in you and know that what ever gear, food or training, your big heart will carry you far. I'm so proud of all the challenges you have taken on and wish you a good safe race. Know we are rooting from afar and sending love up into your clouds. Hugs, Mom
26 February 2013 06:41 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana
Really? After some (online) recon, I've uncovered that some competitors have been down in Chile for a month (two?... more?!) training? Does that mean this is going to be a serious run? Not just a novel waltz across a beautiful high plain? Okay. Fine. I'll pack the oxygen tank. Ready to go. Feeling better than my last post, thankfully. Gear all sorted (for the most part), but don't bring a knife to a gunfight... or a 30 liter pack to a run where others might well be carrying only 15. (What?! 15 liters? Are you eating sand and lizards, Matt M?). Training has consisted of... a friend's bachelor party last weekend. Oh, and a little bit of running. I'm on a plane to San Pedro in just about 24 hours. Can't wait. Time to rethink the coffee grinder, tea kettle, downhill skiis (who wants to run down a sand dune?), inline skates (actually a decent thought since the overall race profile is down!), and hammock. Got one more backpack arriving today to suss out (yes, right, don't forget to test run ALL your gear). Hope there's some good sushi in Atacama. ;)
Comments: Total (0) comments
14 February 2013 11:23 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana
Never fails... the part where the training turns painful and you're sore and tired only weeks before the big event. That's me now. Always hate it, but been pushing a lot lately. Was both bolstered and potentially thrown out of whack with a recent whirlwind trip to Europe for 9 days to film some adventure sports for a friend's TV program (or 'programme' if you speak the King's English!) in Brazil. Did some amazing canyoneering on the island of Mallorca and some winter mountaineering in Switzerland/Italy. The 12 hour plane rides are crap for training! And the mild frostbite is a far cry from what's in store in the high, superheated desert. Oh well. Shock the system! Did a bunch of shorter, harder runs upon return plus a quite fast, roughly 18-miler with about 1/2 the anticipated weight for Atacama.... and just about everything hurts from calves to shoulders. Off for some yoga and massage. Anyway, the real challenge will be - and always has been - the mental one. Staying calm and realizing I signed up for this! Therefore, I look forward with great anticipation to sharing the camaraderie, misery, suffering, sand - and now it appears great quantities of MUD - with everyone from around the world. The shared stories and conversations and friendships are worth more than any prize or medal. See you all out there! Train hard. P.S. Gear stories... thought I had it all dialed in, but now perusing several packs and really trying to figure out how much food will be necessary. Are the lizards edible in Chile?
Comments: Total (1) comments
Megan Lay
Posted On: 15 Feb 2013 03:24 am
Hi Rick
Im a bit wary of posting on those who sound super fit and fully prepared for what lies ahead - sounds like you have trained very hard in such a short time. I can say, that while I thnk you will be well and truly rested at the camp each day while I trudge on in, I agree its the meeting of new people, and sharing such an amazing and unique experience with them that will make it worthwhile - although I still want that medal! Looking forward to seeing you in Chile in 2 short weeks.
Cheers
Megan
21 January 2013 07:30 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana
Holy @$%&, 41 days to blast off. With nightly temps basically pinned at 0
Comments: Total (0) comments
11 January 2013 06:58 am (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana
In late 2012, after sitting too long in my first floor office - looking out of windows that actually do not open (it's a crazy local fire code, don't ask) - I decided to get back to adventure when a co-worker told me about her relative who was/is on the 4Deserts medical crew (and can safely watch from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle, I'm sure). So, without much thought (or too much) I immediately signed up! ... And then I realized it was only 74 days away. So I immediately started 'working out' 2-3 times per day to make up for lost time. I look forward to the challenge of simply running in this race. I am usually partial to adventure racing where, as soon as you have had your fill of an activity (ie. running) and are completely spent physically, emotionally, and spiritually... you then switch to another activity (ie. mountain biking) until you are once again spent physically, emotionally, and spiritually. :)
Due to the complexity of adventure racing, I do have a number of packing, gear, etc tips if anyone would like to ask. I don't claim to be a hero - and I'm sure the altitude in the Atacama will make me look like a broken weakling, but such is life.
I hereby submit a recent training log for 2013, to date:
10 Jan: MTB (on road) 40 miles (20 one way) to work/home. Crossfit evening - 7x 400m Run/10 Burpees/90 jump ropes //
9 Jan: Morning - Easy run to gym (2+ mi). 4 sets of 20x box step ups (20lb each hand)/KB thrusters (20lb)/KB swings (35lb)/burpees/10 pull-ups/8 dips/20 walking lunges. Evening - 30 min elliptical trainer/foam roller work/extra bits //
8 Jan: 16 mile run, Napa Valley (with 12-15lb pack) - 2:15 / MTB (on road) 20 miles //
7 Jan: MTB (on road) 40 miles (20 one way) to work/home //
6 Jan: Beach/sand run, Santa Monica, CA (with 15lb pack) - 1:30 //
5 Jan: Lite hike/run, Joshua Tree, CA (15lb pack) - 45 min //
4 Jan: Hard run, Phoenix, CA (w/ 15lb pack) - 1:20, 120 burpees //
3 Jan: Hike and run steps, Bisbee, AZ (w/ 15lb pack), Sunset run, Tucson, AZ - 45 min (w/ 12-15lb pack) //
2 Jan: Easy run/hike, Silver City, NM (w/ 12-15lb pack) - 1:00 //
1 Jan: Easy run, Santa Fe, NM - 40 min (no pack)
Comments: Total (2) comments
Alina B
Posted On: 15 Jan 2013 09:04 am
I'm very much looking forward to seeing you in Chile, Rick. Looks like training is coming along well. 74 days is MORE than enough time for a pro!
Sam F
Posted On: 11 Jan 2013 11:56 pm
That's quite a training plan you've got going on! I would be interested in your adventure race tips and also hearing how you have enjoyed (or not) the switch to ultrarunning - although this can wait for a moment in th desert. Good luck with the final weeks.
Comments: Total (3) comments
Mom Staitman
Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 01:39 pm
judy felz
Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 05:18 am
nancy felz
Posted On: 09 Mar 2013 03:38 am