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Trip Report Continental Divide + The Wind River Range

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Gear prep is important. The longer and more self-reliant the push, the more it matters. Your feet, your food, your shelter. Basic stuff can be a big deal if things hit the fan. I’m proud of my coach Kurt, and I’m proud of myself. This was a new format for us. I’ve done enough unplanned shiver bivys and chosen not to press toward the summit when it’s storming. More than 10 fingers and toes; that’s how many times I’ve driven to Mt. Rainier to see if the NOAA weather forecast was as bad as it read. Turned around and went home; doesn’t feel like winning but it isn’t losing (fingers or toes). Judgment is important in the mountains because we love them but they don’t always love us back. “The mountain does not care” as someone once said.  The storm warning that went into effect for the Wind River Range in Wyoming was a bit unlucky. In mountaineering mentors always waited out the weather before we’d push upward. If there is a slated window for a trip, or race in this case, that adds a com...
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THE POWER OF PERCEIVED EXERTION

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  Credit: @nickmdanielson *This Journal Entry originally appeared in Aspire Adventure Running, which can be read here Training log entry:   October 2nd, 2021 “That was hard. It got hot and the legs got wobbly just past the half way mark. Lots of vomiting on the ridge. I may not race tomorrow.” This entry is from day two at The Broken Arrow Skyrace Triple Crown, a VK + 50km + 25km over three days of racing. The lowest combined time wins. Just after the start of the 50km a few of us started working together. Chatting. Finding rhythm. Finding our legs and laughing along the way. Rolling through the half way point, a volunteer told us we were about 10 minutes behind the lead. Leaving the aid station I felt a switch flip in the wrong direction. Running quickly turned to shuffling with heavy legs and lethargic energy. The group disappeared as my pace slowed. By the time I made it to the high point on the ridge it felt like I was stumbling around like a drunken sailor on a tightrope....
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Andrew Fast Podcast #15 David Norris: Mount Marathon Champion + USA Nordic Skiing National Champion

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David Norris is an elite nordic skier and mountain runner. He is the 2019 US Nordic Skiing National Champion and 2016, 2018, and 2021 Mount Marathon Champion. If all goes to plan David is en route to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games in 2022 as a nordic skiing athlete. David is the most genuine (and talented) athlete I’ve had the honor to interview.  Click  HERE  to listen to Episode 15 with David
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Things Change: but basically we stay the same

 I have an enormous amount of gratitude for humanity, health, and global citizens. Time is measured by the pulse of a person's soul (which includes their heart), and as a keen observer of humans, this has been an interesting 12 months. Then again what  are months really? I've lost track. Point is, keep community within arms reach and take care of them--and most importantly, take care of yourself.  ~February 2020 - January 2021 in clips
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The Rut

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  I need to get out there . Time has softened to a monotone grey, but nature knows no different. The body can sense when the season is changing. It’s not any one thing, it’s a combination of things that let us know the shift has started. Maybe it’s the frozen digits on a crisp morning, the smell of pine warming in the sun, or a dusting of snow barely covering Autumn colors. After what has felt like The Endless Summer without any surfing I can tell it’s time to turn the page and start writing a new chapter.  For months I’ve been trying to create a multisport test piece but, instead of walking out the door, I end up going in circles. Rather than becoming frustrated by the privileged problem I call my friend Dave.  I start out: “Dave! I don’t know what the problem is. I’m wanting to go self-contained ride/run/ride but I keep coming up with excuses of why not to go.” This is followed by a long pause.  “Well, what routes are you looking at?” he asks.  I begin to ratt...
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