I love Montana

Pictures like those posted below, taken yesterday during a hike with friends in Glacier National Park, make it easy to see why I love Montana.  Glacier National Park represents a small section of the state, however.  Much of the state is beautiful and doesn't get enough praise in our blog.

 Late last week I had to travel to Billings for work, which is never my favorite trip to make but offers an opportunity to check in with co-workers on the other side of the state (well, Billings is actually in the middle but it feels like the other side of the state being a 7 hour drive and all).  While talking to coworkers/friends, the topic of our "sweet spots" or favorite places came up.  It was then that I realized I do find other parts of the state beautiful in their own special and different ways.

In fact, on a run Friday morning I myself thought about how underrated the area surrounding Billings is.  It has its own beauty with rimrock, desert-like dirt and expansive views.  It's truly "big sky" country.  The morning light had a color unlike the morning light over here on the west side, and I actually felt mildly euphoric enjoying the understated beauty Billings has to offer.  I'm willing to admit that Billings has beauty too.

Driving home from Billings I passed through the east side of the Rocky Mountains, again in the early morning orangey light, and made my way through the Bozeman area, Butte, the Seeley-Swan valley and back to Kalispell.  The entire drive was characteristically pleasant.  A drive through a post-card.

 I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but the main thing that drew me to Montana was the fact that my general sense of well-being is boosted dramatically when I'm in beautiful places.  The euphoria that accompanies a great view is something that doesn't seem to fade or wear off.  All of life is more manageable when surrounded by beauty and reminded of the greatness of nature.

Mix in some good friends and what more could a person ask for really.

Summer in the Northern Rockies

I had already made plans to travel with my friend Amber to Banff to visit Keith, and while I was feeling pretty bummed out I decided to go ahead with my plans and head north.

 Saturday we intended to hike near Lake Louise but mudslides prevented our plans.  My newish Banff friends Stormy and her husband Phillip recommended an alternate hike, Bourgeau Lake (I think), and it was lovely (they came too which was super fun).  We had a nice hike though it was pretty cold and rainy.

 I had the opportunity to gear-test my new rain pullover, and I will write a review at some point.  Ultimately I was very pleased.

 Sunday the skies were bluer and the air was warmer and so we went on a 2.5 hour road bike ride around the area.  We did the Minnetonka (I think) Lake loop and around Tunnel Mountain and other places.  It was pretty and pleasant.

I've been on the road far too much and am looking forward to being home at least part of the weekend this weekend.  It's a good diversion I guess.

Eulogy for Zeke (by Ted)

Zeke died yesterday afternoon of an unknown illness. We got him within a year after we married and he accompanied us through several moves from our first apartment together in Chicago all the way to our home in Montana. He made us a family. It may sound strange, but it's fitting somehow that his end has some mystery about it since he was always a little mysterious - we never knew his age and knew very little about his background. He was often a little aloof, inscrutable and vaguely wild which made his obvious affection and gentleness towards us all the more meaningful.

Zeke was a leap of faith. We didn't intend to actually take him home when we set out to see this dog we'd heard needed a home. He rewarded that leap with deep memories of love, joy and amusement over the years that we were his pack. I only wish we had had more time together.

He was a beautiful, gentle and loving being who deserved all the good things that came to him and none of the bad.

We miss you sorely, Zekey.

The Devil's Backbone -- 2011

 I returned to Bozeman/Big Sky for the Devil's Backbone, a laid back and small 50 miler that features some of the most stunning scenery in the world.  Last year I initially planned to run the entire 50 but dropped to the 25 mile distance.  I vowed I'd return this year fit and awesomely ready for the full distance.  I managed to show up even more out-of-shape than last year.  The combination of time off due to my stupid toe and my related weight gain make for a bad combo.  Nonetheless it was all kinds of awesome.

 It took me 7:30 to cover approximately 22-24 miles... I overslept and showed up late to the start, which did nothing to move me along at a remotely respectable pace.  It was actually both relaxing and demoralizing to start the race late.  I managed to catch someone after a couple hours (maybe not that long?) but then she dropped.  After that I just fell further behind and thought it rude to set out for the second half when I'd shown up late AND undertrained.  I could have done the distance but would have been out there quite awhile.  Better to stop while "ahead" so to speak...

I also had a wonderful time in Bozeman.  I stayed with Nikki Kimball, who is a superstar ultrarunner and also one of the coolest chicks ever.  It was fun hanging out and getting to know her a little better.

I'm absolutely convinced that I live in the most beautiful place in the world.  Sure, there are no Ethiopian restaurants, even in Bozeman or Missoula, but Montana is tough to beat. 

On a different and sort of sad note, my puppy Zeke (who is 11-12 or so now...) is having health issues of some kind (possibly Addison's disease) so please send good healing positive vibes out for my buddy.  It's only sort of sad because it sounds like he can probably be treated.  But it's hard not to worry.

our favorite boy Zeke

Glacier Challenge and Missoula Marathon

Saturday my friend Corey and I competed as a duo in an adventurey race called the Glacier Challenge.  This involved me running 6.5 miles, her kayaking a few miles, me road biking 13ish, her mountain biking 8ish, me road biking another 9ish, us canoeing 4ish and me running a final 2.5.  We were "Beer and Bacon" and had so much fun. 

Corey and me holding our paddles backwards

 Dave Chenault was kind enough to crew for us as he leaves tomorrow for the Alaskan Wilderness Classic.  Just google it.  You think I do crazy things -- this guy does REALLY crazy things.   Like, there are no trails where he is going.  And he has to navigate.  That would spell disaster for me.

Team Beer and Bacon

These following photos were taken by our friend Russ who is a real photographer (with a huge camera):



Um, how do I get in?  I don't know how to canoe...

Mmmm beer at last!!!  This is what it's all about.

We wouldn't have been able to do this without Dave Chenault's help

Sunday I ran the Missoula Marathon as a training run and must say that Missoula is a fantastic marathon.  Flawless organization, beautiful and fast course, good aid stations, great finish line, free beer, no complaints.  I "Gallowalked" my way through and remarked that it has earned its title as "best marathon" given by Runners World magazine.  I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smaller but world-class marathon.  Also, I was able to register on Thursday night and one can still register the day before at the expo.  Perfect for last-minute folks like me.

4th of July Weekend

This past weekend I went to Fernie for some mountain biking, and wish I had brought my camera.  The views were amazing and it was pretty awesome.  Oh well.  Ted and I then did a short overnight hiking trip in the Yaak.  First we had a couple beers at the Dirty Shame Saloon in Yaak.  That is always a good thing to do before embarking on a warm weathered hike without a map.  After 7 miles, we found our backcountry site at one of the Fish Lakes 4 miles from the trailhead.

 There is a neat waterfall en route.  The hike is at low elevation in a canyon, which means no snow which is why we chose this hike.  I don't think either of us had been in the Yaak and it's a beautiful area.  Super remote.  So remote I half expected we'd run into that weird anti-government fugitive guy who is somewhere around in the woods.

the view from our campsite

 I brought a Walgreens floatie, my provisional packraft, and floated around on the lake.  I found that to be extremely relaxing and rewarding.  I was able to paddle out to an area of the lake that was loud with bird action and quiet with people noises.  As I laid there on my floatie a bald eagle flew overhead.  (Chanting USA! USA!) (ok kidding about the chanting part).

my "packraft" and oar

the blue blob is me I think

All in all a great weekend and the dogs were sufficiently tired.  We were exhausted too.  Evidently there was something large and loud crashing around camp during the night but the two dogs and I slept right through it (all four of us were crammed in our little tent, which poor Ted up terrified of bears or monsters).

Almost July in Montana -- Makin' Plans!

This has been a "cool Spring" and the snowpack was above normal this winter.  This makes for an interminable shoulder season.  Yet, staying inside and doing nothing isn't an option (unless you want to cry) so you have to make the best with your minimal options.  Right now that means playing at low elevations, doing one of three possible hikes in Glacier National Park (like Avalanche Lake, which I've now done thrice and NO MORE this year...) and bike riding Going to the Sun Road.  OK there are more things to do but these are the things I've been doing.

Near Siyeh Bend

While waiting for the skies to turn blue and for the sun to melt the snow, I've been contemplating my goals (the trivial ones like running anyhow -- I don't have grand life goals or anything... I'm fine without them right now).  I really enjoy goal setting, even if I don't always follow through.  I'm reading a book that encourages the goal-setter to set really agressive dream goals -- that makes them more fun and possibly more worth going for.  I think this is really true.  The times I've agressively pursued goals were when I didn't really know if they were possible.  For example, qualifying for Boston seemed like a stretch since I'm such an unathletic and soft and slow runner.  But, I just worked at it and did it within a couple of years of setting out to achieve.  As a result I'm still faster than I would have been if I had just assumed I'd always be doomed to slowness.  Now I don't even think, in hindsight, that the goal was all that agressive.  It seemed like it though at the time. 

So what the heck are my goals now?  The first and most immediate goal is to really get back into shape by September.  I want to get my running ramped up, weight training ramped up and my eating improved.  I say this a lot so it's sort of boring but you never know, maybe one of these days I'll surprise everyone and actually follow through.

My brother Dave

My most important near goal is finishing Susitna next winter.  Heck, rather than just finish I'd like to (at least try) to finish under 35 hours so as to minimize the time I'm out the second night.  That increases the brutality I think (running two nights). 

Even more immediately I think I am for sure going to sign up for Slickrock 100 and train up for it.  I started my training Monday, which involved turning the alarm clock off... but Tuesday morning I got up and ran my 10 miler and then hiked in the Park with my brother Dave, who was in town visiting.  Yesterday I did some speedwork and weights and tonight I will do a 2 hour mountain bike ride.  I also would like to hike around Mt. Ranier with my friend Dave, who scored me the sweetest uber lightweight gore-tex pullover EVER for my birthday.  I just need to do a gear test.  I LOVE GEAR!  Yay me.  It makes goal setting that much more fun because my goals often require new gear.  See how that works?

My supersweet birthday gift from my friend Dave

I'm going backpacking with my friend Meghan in September and my goal is to already be well trained and fit by then so I can keep up and have the strength to carry all my extra GEAR I will want to bring (just kidding Meghan I will pack light I promise.... I love to buy ultralightweight gear and will bring the above lightweight rain jacket).

So, I have lots of fun things planned and some goals.  My dream goals?  I don't want to share because when I write them down they actually seem pretty reasonable.  I'll just tell you that I have a couple I might work on next year.

Third "Two Bear" Run

 It was a cold rainy muddy run down memory lane last weekend.  I recited my Bear poem for Tom and promised I'd make a You Tube video... I lied I'm going to do no such thing but I will pen my word art for you:

Bear, Oh Bear!
Into my friend Tom's flesh you did tear.
Why?  Oh why?
"because he was there"

Ruth, Mary Ann, me, Allison, Tom, Leanne

The sun has finally come out and I'm hopeful that the snow will melt and it will somday soon be possible to hike in the high country.  This sort of spring is all about patience.

I am thinking about an October 100 -- there's a new race in Utah near Moab called Slickrock or something.  Devil's Backbone is coming up in a few weeks.  I'm anxious to get back into the mix.

Dads Rock

I am my father's daughter, and I sure hope my Dad lives forever because I cannot imagine this world without him.  I must also mention that my father-in-law is one of the smartest, sweetest men I've ever met.  I'm pretty blessed.


Me, my dad and my brother "Doot Doot" (aka David)



A dubious pre-party

It has been two years since my friend Tom was bitten by the teenaged punk grizzly bear.  The anniversary run will be this weekend, a bit later, but Deb Callie and I figured we'd have a pre-party and hit our favorite early season low-elevation spot in the Park.  Of couse, never mind that it's mid-JUNE and it's basically like late April or May.  It is grey, wet and cool here.

Lots of snapped off tree-tops

It appears that there was a fair bit of drama in the woods this winter -- lots of freshly snapped off tree-tops and a delicious woody fragrance everywhere.  This picture is not necessarily newly disturbed trees but the views to the left of the trail are much more open this year than in prior years.

I have nearly identical pictures from at least four years now I think

I hadn't seen Callie since the Salmon Marathon last fall.  This is insane to me.  But I don't feel like we've missed a beat.  Good friends are like that.

didn't eat it but do you know what it is?

expecting an Ewok to jump out

Ewoks are somewhere

I am deperately longing for summer.  I want to go backpacking.  I want to be hot and feel the sun.  The weekend of summer only whet my appetite.  It's not promising to get better this month.  Ugh.

The coolest thing EVER

Today I recieved a box from someone I haven't had the pleasure of meeting.  Inside was this fabulous "Susitna 84 Finisher 2011" mug and a very thoughtful postcard from a blog reader (who is way more articulate than I am by the way).

I feel like I won suddenly :-)

Said blog reader, a Susitna enthusiast, while trying to think of something to make at the make-your-own pottery store after her kid demanded to know "aren't you going to make something?", thought to make this!

happy stars!

She hasn't done Su yet but is "under the spell" after having lived in Alaska.  It's funny because I was trying to describe to my friend this weekend the power that this race (and other similar arctic ultras and Alaska generally) has over people.  There's something other-worldy about Su that's entirely different from your typical dry-trail ultra.

This purple sky is happy!

"Endurance" postcard

I truly think everyone who is thinking about or is interested in Susitna should GO FOR IT. Especially you friend.  Because that way I can meet you in February and say thank you in person.  Don't worry parents, I will send a proper thank-you card.

Happy happy joy joy happy happy joy joy....

Yesterday my Bozeman friend Emily and I did nearly 2.5 hours of hiking/running  and I did take pictures but I don't have a USB cable to download them from my camera.  Today I ran part of the Old Gabe 50k course (and determined that I will drop down to the shorter distance -- 50k of THAT would certainly kill me).  All told I got in more than 4 hours of blissful trail time this beautiful sunny warm weekend.  Boy I've missed running.  And trails.  And sun.  Oh sun. 

 I was completely and utterly blissed out on both runs.  Being able to run again is like being reunited with a good friend.  There is no substitute for the feeling of flying down the trail by foot.

I am so happy to be back.  I just need to be careful and not hurt myself again.  I love you running!  I love you sunshine!  I love you warm air!  I love you Bozeman!