The Ultra Experience

Here's to the adventures of my life which are usually ultra marathon trail running or fly fishing but may include other trips, experiences, thoughts, opinions, or pretty much whatever I want. As co-founder of Altra Footwear my life and adventures seemingly revolve more around developing and promoting the best footwear in the world...and I love it!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

B-Day Weekend and Work work work!

So this past weekend was my birthday.  At 27 I feel that life has finally caught up to me.  Rather than school stress, care free parties, and hours of running I now have bills, insurance, and 12 hour work days...every day.  Life could be worse of course and in fact things are looking pretty good.  I'll explain:
I like my job.  It's a salaried position with great benefits.  In a couple of months I should be financially stable (which in today's economy is huge!), I'm happily married, and overall I'm feeling physically and mentally strong.  So with my birthday being last Friday I decided to have a fun weekend.  I had to work all day Friday, but I got Saturday and Sunday off work and we had a great weekend planned.
We went out for a fantastic sushi dinner Friday night and then stayed with the in-laws up Hobble Creek Canyon Friday night.  Having not had a long trail run since the Bear 100 and feeling unconnected to the mountains, I decided to go for a long run on the Squaw Peak course the following morning.  My in-laws live at mile 25 which puts me in perfect placement for a great run.  I ended up running from mile 26 to mile 36 and back on a perfect day with mild temperatures and a soft trail.  It was just what the doctor ordered and was the best birthday present I could ask for.  The best part was that I still have it!  I felt strong, healthy, and ran quickly.  With minimal training over the last 2 months I was a bit worried but 3 hrs and 15 minute later I was back from an amazing 20 mile run!  With Squaw Peak sign-ups coming shortly I was pumped and excited for what is sure to be another great Squaw Peak 50.  Note to self, don't ever go 2 months without a long trail run!
After some food and a short nap it was off to watch the BYU-Utah game at a friends house.  Being a BYU fan it was a disappointing game, but the Utes were/are the better team this year.  Go bust the BCS Utes!  I never have understood the hate involved with rivalries.  It seems so juvenile.  It's a game for heavens sake.  Heck, even 5k athletes seem to try and beat each other down on a training run...I mean if that what encourages you to run, but as for me, I love to run for the sake of running.  There is nothing more invigorating and rejuvenating than a long solo trail run.  Lovers not haters, that's what I believe in!
So after the game it was off to the Coldplay concert.  I will fully admit it...I love Coldplay.  They make great music which is original, positive, and catchy.  There was a great energy at the concert and I'm sure it was more than the residual affects of my earlier trail run.  It was an amazing performance.  
After the concert we went back for a midnight BBQ at the in-laws house.  Good ole late night fun with the Holzapfels!  Sunday was a veg out day.  We spent the first part of the day with the fam and than a relaxing day at home in Clinton.  It was a great weekend.
This week was back to the usual.  12 hour shifts every day at work.  I finally feel comfortable and confident at work while working toward some really exciting promotions.  Canyon Sports is on the rebound!  Anyway, with winter incoming get that last unhindered trail run in and bring on the snow!