For the first time in many years, I’m mostly injury-free in the off season.  Other than some perpetual calf tightness in my right leg, I’m feeling better than I have in quite a while.  Training is going well and I intend to keep it that way.  I’ve missed doing weekly training updates on my blog because it is a great way for me to reflect on things at a little higher level vs. just one day at a time.

I’m not following any plan right now, just running how I feel and finally mixing in some solid bike efforts like I have been meaning to do for a very long time.  Feeling optimistic about 2014 and ready to put in the work to make it my best year yet.

Monday – 7 run

Rare weeknight run from home. Was going to head up to state park visitor center, but the gates closed 6pm so headed back and did a loop of west village. Pushed for sub-8 pace and felt pretty good doing it despite a good bit of climbing.

Tuesday – 7 run

Steady lunch run.

Wednesday – 31 bike

Dropped the kids off for school and pointed the car west to Moab.  The family was gathering for the weekend, and I was going two days early to get some quality dirt time.

Checked in at KOA and headed up to ride Porcupine Rim.  A long-time favorite that I had not been on in this century.

I packed an extra 64oz of water, 2 cokes, and some other stuff to leave as a cache for the run I was planning on doing the next day.  My pack was huge and heavy, but the bike responded well and I made short work of the long grind out of town.

When I made it to the high point of my ride, I found a place to stash my loot and made a stick arrow just off the side of the trail so I wouldn’t forget where I had hidden it.

Thursday – 24 run

Started raining at midnight and was super soggy all morning.  I waited it out for a while and then ran the Porcupine Rim trail up from the Colorado River.

Nice little aid station at the top…

Friday – 66 bike

Met up with my brother and a couple of friends to spend the day riding all over the place.  Our original White Rim plan had to be scrapped due to the park closures as a result of the gov’t shutdown.  Those guys were bike fit and I struggled all day hanging off the back, despite putting in a big effort.  Fun day, though – and glad we were able to do it.

Saturday – 7 run, 3 hike

Heard the parks had opened due to a last-minute deal with the Utah governor sending a $1.7 million dollar wire to Washington to buy 10 day’s worth of operation for the 5 National Parks in Utah.  I got up early and ran from our hotel in town to the entrance of Arches via the nice bike path. My legs were tired, but responded better than I thought they would.

The park was open and we ended up spending the whole day there hiking around and seeing the sights.

Sunday – 0

No run. Headed back to Arches with family and had another great day checking out the park.

Total – 48 run, 97 bike, 19:11