Training Log Archive: kensr

Late sunrise hike to Sunrise Point and then down around Queens Garden trail, back up to rim at Sunset Point and down Navajo Loop to Peekaboo Trail finishing at Bryce Point. Then back along Rim Trail to start and on to visitors center to get maps.

Good thing everything is online since the information services don't open until 8 AM or even 9. And they don't collect fees until then, either (we have a pass so that doesn't matter, but lots of lost revenue). And Arches even said to arrive really early because of limited parking and heat. Bryce was fine all day. They have a free shuttle service to move people around, but that started after we arrived, so we drove and parked right at Sunrise Point.

Have to say this was our favorite park. Very pretty and spread out along the rim and neat down around the hoodoos. Trails in good shape. Never felt crowded. Views just ask for taking beautiful photos. Even iPhone results should be good.

C • favorite 1

50 sit-ups, 10 jackknives, leg stretches

50 sit-ups

Early start hiking in to Delicate Arch, lots of people on the trail, more as we came back out. Then down to Turret Arch, the Windows and Double Arch. Park service rebuilding roads, couldn't get into the area with Landscape Arch, long (300') and skinny. All told probably saw a dozen of the spectacular arches, out of a claimed 2,000 in the entire park. Many are on back trails which are closed from March thru August. But I'm sure the roads take you in to the prime ones.

Noticed half the hikers were in good shape and moving along, and half were overweight and struggling with the heat, altitude and exertion. Also noticed about half spoke a foreign language.

Then across east central Utah on I-70. Very open canyon land, traveling across the crest of the mesas. Noticed one sign warning "No Services for Next 110 Miles". Nice to be cautioned.

Now at Bryce for early start tomorrow.

40 sit-ups, 10 push ups, 30 sumo squats

Morning run to Starbucks for coffee.

Thru the tunnel and west past the ski areas. Stop in Glenwood Springs for a dip in the lukewarm 104F pool and then on to G Jct.

Run along the Colorado River on mud, then concrete, gravel and finally asphalt. No strain flat run to loosen up.

50 sit-ups

Beginning of YETI month 2. Have increased my monthly training load by 50% to 45 hours. Much of the increase is in core exercise work, which I feel continues to build a solid base. More increase this month with added running, too.

At sister Sue's. Out for early Starbucks run.

50 sit-ups, 25 push ups

Afternoon altitude training in Denver after some maintenance tasks. Did some 1/4 mi pickups on the trails around Greenwood Park.

50 sit-ups

50 sit-ups, 30/10 push ups, 15 flying dogs
In Monument Valley to watch the sunrise over the buttes.

Over to Mesa Verde to tour the ruins. Got tickets for a 5:00 tour of the Cliff Palace, so spent the afternoon before that on self guided walks around the mesa rim. All sites were interesting and the many cliff dwellings impressive and fascinating. The Cliff Palace is the big one, with many rooms and layers.

40 sit-ups, 20 push ups
YETI week 4. Works so far. Got to get some running in on this trip.

Wildcat trail around the West Mitten butte. Late afternoon run with Ruthie. Slow on the way back up thru loose sand.

Before that did the Navajo drive thru the valley. Glad we were in a rental car as the dirt road is rough and you have to target the car to clear the rock outcrops.

But the views are worth it. These are the spectacular buttes and mesas from the John Wayne movies and other Westerns. In fact, we get to see one of his movies tonight as part of our hotel stay.