Late last night, as I attempted to unclutter my mind and fall into a slumber, I read some intriguing articles in Trail Runner that I thought were important to share. First off, coming from a multisport background, I have witnessed first hand the importance of leg strength and running. Particularly trail running. Think of all the leg strength it takes to not only haul your body up 14,000 plus foot peaks but to support it when you are hammering downhill. Runner, Paul Dewitt, made a comment in an article on improving running performance by training on the bike. He said “Just because you can run 26, 50, or 100 miles doesn’t mean your legs are strong.” That being said, I feel really strong right now. Maybe not the strongest I have ever been, but I’ve put in a fair share of biking and backpacking this summer, which definitely paid off during the brutal Kendall Mountain Marathon this past weekend. Two laps up 13,000 foot Kendall Mountain left my legs, well, fried. Great training for Pikes though!

Secondly, a couple notes from the coolest trail runner in the world, Mr. Bernie Boetcher (he is Mr. Trail Runner). LETS PUT THE “TRAIL” BACK INTO TRAIL RACES! Amen to that! Talk to Danelle Ballengee, there’s someone who knows how to put on a real trail race. Oh and with all do respect for Mt. Washington, it hasn’t got nothing on Kendall Mountain, whew!! And thanks Bernie for the shout out to remembering our fellow trail runner’s who passed away this last spring. Feels like just yesterday that Jenna Gruben was in my back seat laughing and planning Trans Rockies after the Red Hot 33K. Every one of my races this year is in her memory. Wish she could be here for them… And to Ted Violet, Gunnison’s running legend, you couldn’t go north of town without seeing him and Martha running. Hopefully we will carry on with the Signal Peak run in the late summer, in his memory.

That’s all for now. It was a huge comfort to see all my buddies this weekend. Nobody can make me laugh like Jane…and who knows maybe someday she will succeed with hey match making quest for me.