It’s been quite some time since I wrote a blog, and with the end of 2014 nearing its probably a good time to sit back and reflect on all the awesome experiences, all the tough moments, and everything in between. I also will be writing up a recap of November’s trip to New Zealand, but there is so much to tell that will need it own space and time.

Unlike 2013, 2014 started off healthy, and with the exciting news that I’d be running the Hardrock 100 for the first time ever! Training started off in full, snow be damned, and included a little trip to Seattle to visit Ben and Amanda with a chance to explore the Cascades.

For the first time in many years I did not race the Moab Red Hot, opting instead to explore some of the other trails in the surrounding areas and to do a little scrambling with Buzz and Tressa on some super secret routes…shhhh. In March I headed back to Mississippi 50 to try and defend my title, falling just short on a hot and humid day, taking 2^nd overall, oh well, you win some and you lose some. But most importantly I got to meet my nephew for the first time (born January 2014), I like the sounds of Uncle Eric 🙂

 

After Mississippi my life became focused on one main goal, Hardrock, and getting my legs and lungs are ready for the challenge as I possibly could. Trail miles with tons of vertical, backcountry skiing at high elevations, and a whole host of shenanigans from Boulder to the mountains to deserts of Fruita.

On May 1^st I hopped a plane back to CA bound for the Marin Headlands and the starting line of the Miwok 100k. A beautiful race that winds through the redwoods, across open grassy hillsides, and above steep ocean side cliffs. Despite a rough patch around mm50 I hung in there for a 34^th place finish in 11h28min. Definitely a must do for those ultrarunners looking for some hard but incredibly scenic and varied trail miles. I continued my racing by entering the Dirty Thirty 50k in Golden for the first time since its inaugural running in 2008, treating it as more of a training run for Hardrock.

As summer began to settle in to the high country I found my way to higher and higher elevations, exploring new trails and hitting up some old favorites in the process. As July rolled around and Hardrock neared I had one other piece of unfinished business, the summit of my 58^th and final 14er, El Diente, had eluded me last year. On July 4^th I met Ben, Bruce and Tressa and summited my 58^th and final 14er, closing up one chapter of my journey through the mountains, just as the next was opening up. The Hardrock 100 is arguably the US’s most difficult 100mile foot race, traversing the rugged San Juan Mts, crossing a dozen high passes, requiring off trail travel, sleep deprivation, and one to put up with inclement weather it proved a worthy test. After many high and lows, aided by my parents (crewing) and good friends Andy and Stephanie (pacers) I kissed the Hardrock for the first time, 34h38min after starting. It’s such an amazing event, one that can not be fully understood or felt until you toe the line along side 150 others, all unified under the goal of kissing the rock. One of these days (lottery gods willing) I’ll return.

After Hardrock things did not slow down, and the mountain adventures just kept on coming, I couldn’t say no. Aspen Four Pass Loop, Maroon Bells Traverse, Niwot Ridge, Ten Mile Range Traverse, East Ridge of Pacific Peak, a snowy through hike across the ElkRange, winning the inaugural Kite Lake Triple-Triple, the Little Bear Blanca traverse, pacing the Bear 100 in a downpour and finally capping off the season at the Bluesky Marathon. October brought a month of rest and recovery, something I like to give my body every year so that it can heal all the damage.

 

 

Early in 2014 I’d decided to give myself a birthday present, so on November 7^th I hopped on the first of several flights that would eventually land me in Australia/New Zealand. After a short visit with my Uncle, who lives just outside Sydney, it was off to New Zealand for 3+ weeks of adventuring with my parents. We saw glowworms, beaches, mountains, rain forest, glaciers, waterfalls, dolphins, penguins, our share of rainy days and more on our whirlwind tour of New Zealand. The more indepth story will come later, with photos and videos. In short it’s a beautifully varied country where you can find a multitude of ecosystems all within a days drive. While no one thing alone sticks out as unique in the world, the sum total of all its beauty (different and varied) is what makes it so amazing.

In total I’d have to say this year was a pretty awesome year, full of new experiences, great friends and tons of adventure. 2015 looks like another fantastic year with a return to the Mississippi 50 and Miwok 100k already planned, some big mountain projects during the summer and possibly a return to UTMB for redemption (lottery gods willing). Hope everyone has a happy and safe new year and a fantastic 2015! Run fast, run healthy, but mostly run happy.

Special thanks to Vfuel Endurance for powering my year of adventure and to Hind Performance clothing for keeping me warm and comfortable during the journeys.

2015 Stats

2,842	miles run/climbed/skied (new Best year)
656,000	feet of elevation climbed (2nd Best year)
42,900	minutes spent on my feet (715 hours or 29.8days)
32, 31, 17	Summits of Mt Sanitas, Green Mt, Bear Peak respectively
58	# of Colorado 14ers climbed (list completed)
6	Races run and completed in 2014 (marathon to 100mi)
6	US States visited
2	Countries visited