More changes.....

First of all the triathlon turned into a DUathlon, and now the duathlon is canceled!  So many people backed out, that they decided to cancel it, and they're refunding all the money.  So, here's the deal now:  the grand canyon trip for november is still on, and the full-marathon for january is still on.  I'm going to register for a different half-iron-distance triathlon in june of 2011, to make up for this one.  I'm also hoping to go to Oregon in May 2011 to climb Mt. Hood.  There are very distant plans for another major climb in 2012, but it's a long way-away, and it's verrrrrry expensive, so the financial part needs to be worked out.  Thats all I got for now.  Keep checking back closer to October for training updates and details for the Grand Canyon, coming up next!

The latest:

     OK, the triathlon is a DUathlon now, with the swim being dropped (see my last entry).  The event will be a 3 mile run, a 56 mile bike, then a 13.1 mile run.  At least I'll get a feel for 2/3 of a half-iron-distance triathlon, so I'll be more prepared for the real deal next year.  There are two events I'm looking into for next year to get in my half-iron, but I'm leaning toward one up in Show Low, Arizona, called the "Deuces Wild Triathlon".  It will be in June of 2011, so I'll be able to satisfy my half-iron-dream.  If that one doesn't work out, I'll figure out something else.  There are PLENTY of opportunities to get out there and do insane challenges with other like-minded individuals!  I guess the Endurathon will have to go on a little longer.
     Also, I purchased a "road bike" with some of my double-shift-night-class money.  It's a men's, 2011, Trek 1.2.  It's great.  What an amazing difference between riding a mountain bike on the road, VS. riding a road bike on the road.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a mountain biker at heart, but this thing is pretty bad-ass.  That's all for now.  Check back soon.

Round-two, with a slight change of plans.....

     The memory of McKinley is still fresh in my mind, but it's time to chat about the next round of my "Endurathon".  The second event is the "Soma Half-Iron Distance Triathlon".  The race consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run.
     Unfortunately, Tempe Town Lake (the body of water where the swim was to take place) is empty!  The dam broke a few days ago and a BILLION gallons of water drained out, leaving a lovely, smelly marsh where the lake used to be.  They are going to repair the dam, and refill the lake, but it doesn't look like it will be done in time for the event.  So, they are changing it to a Duathlon.  We will be running, biking, and running again.
     So, I guess I won't be doing an actual half-ironman this year.  I am still going to participate in the race, and I fully intend on signing up for the event (or one similar to it) next year.  The half-ironman will be mine..... someday.  So, as I shift gears to focus my training on "round two" I'll keep you posted with how things are going.
     I was successful in acquiring my Grand Canyon permit for "round three" of the Endurathon, and I am already signed up for the full-marathon in January to finish out the challenge.  Of course, the wheels are already spinning for future events, but that's another chat for another time.

Mt. McKinley Summit Success (20,320 feet)

     On Wednesday, June 23rd, around 3pm in the afternoon, we were successful in reaching the summit of Mt. McKinley.  My climbing party of 10 people (3 guides and 7 clients) all reached the top of the highest point in Alaska / the United States / the entire North American continent.  Mt. McKinley (or Denali as it was originally named) stands at 20,320 feet tall.  I left Phoenix on Tuesday, June 8th, and returned on Saturday, June 26th, for a grand total of 19 days, of which 15 were spent on the mountain.  We flew onto the Kahiltna glacier at 7,200 feet, and climbed the rest of the way from there.  The first event of my 4-event Endurathon is complete!
     The mountains have a special way of creating experiences that help you find out who you truly are.  The trials faced on those slopes test your physical and mental limits.  The battle of reaching the summit is a journey of self-realization.  It's amazing how the mountains can stand there for millions of years, virtually unchanged, and yet they have the ability to change YOU forever.  After spending time away from society for a few weeks, it's dramatic how much you realize you take for granted on a daily basis:  the ability to turn on a faucet to get fresh water, the ability to pick up a phone or turn on a computer and contact your loved ones, driving where you want to go, a comfortable bed, a warm home.....on and on and on.  The mountains also have a way of putting life into perspective:  what's really important.  After even a short time away you see the separation of what's really important, and what you thought was important.  When you come back to civilization, the volume of life is turned down, and the insignificant things don't seem to matter as much.

     I find myself still trying to let the entire experience set in.  If you've never been on that mountain, it's almost impossible to explain how immense it truly is.  I'm sure the entirety of the experience is still going to take a while to settle in.  I look back every day and feel humbled by the journey.  I feel proud.  I feel lucky.  I feel small.  I feel like the everyday-petty-nonsense doesn't matter (and I hope it stays that way for a while).  I feel like I've really accomplished something.  I feel like I did something that most people have never done/never will do/or can't do.  I feel great.
     Without rambling on too much further, I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful wife.  Without her support, this would not have been possible.  The time, the money, and effort it took to make this happen were all possible because of her.  I'm a lucky guy to have such a great woman in my life.  And now, as if she hasn't done enough for me, she's pregnant with our child.  I have a wonderful life, and it's about to become even more wonderful.  The baby is due around Valentine's day of 2011.....just after the Endurathon comes to an end.  Wow.  Just, wow.

     So, I'll be signing off for a while.  I need time to embrace this journey before the next one starts.  In the next few weeks I'll shift gears and begin figuring things out for round 2:  The half-iron distance triathalon.  Bye-bye for now.....

Training Update! (5/24-5/31)

Monday --
     Taliesin trail with 60# pack, and Lookout mountain trail
Tuesday --
     Echo canyon trail and pull-ups
Wednesday --
     Sunrise trail with 60# pack
Thursday --
     12 mile bike ride and pull-ups
Friday --
     Gateway loop trail with 60# pack
Saturday --
     16 mile Grand Canyon "rim-to-river-to-rim" hike
Sunday --
     4 mile Grand Canyon Rim trail hike
Monday --
     Echo canyon trail

Training Update! (5/17-5/23)

Monday --
     Sunrise peak with 50# pack
Tuesday --
     Echo canyon trail and pull-ups
Wednesday --
     Gateway loop hike with 50# pack
Thursday --
     12 mile bike and pull-ups
Friday --
     40th Street hike with 50# pack
Saturday --
     Shaw butte hike
Sunday --
     15 mile bike and pull-ups

Training Update! (5/10-5/16)

Monday:
     40th Street hike with 50# pack, and Lookout mountain hike
Tuesday:
     Echo canyon hike and pull-up workout
Wednesday:
     Shaw Butte hike with 50# pack
Thursday:
     12 mile bike and pull-up workout
Friday:
     Gateway loop hike with 50# pack
Saturday:
     Cathedral Rock hike and Doe Mountain hike in Sedona
Sunday:
     10 mile bike and pull-up workout

Leg gear.....

The final section of gear I had to show was the leg-wear.  There isn't as much of it as some of the other sections of the body, but each piece is still important:
-- "First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell" hardshell pants
-- "First Ascent Mountain Guide" softshell pants
-- "First Ascent Igniter" insulated pants
-- "Coumbia" heavy weight base layer, 2 pairs
-- "Jockey" boxer-briefs, 2 pairs
.....total retail full-price:  about $600

Training Update! (5/3-5/9)

Monday--
Sunrise peak with 40# pack
Tuesday--
Echo Canyon at Camelback, and pull-up workout
Wednesday--
Gateway loop with 40# pack
Thursday--
12 mile bike, and pull-up workout
Friday--
Shaw butte with 40# pack
Saturday--
12 mile bike
Sunday--
Mt. Elden hike in Flagstaff, and pull-up workout

Training Update! (4/26-5/2)

Monday:
Dentist!  day off.
Tuesday:
Gateway loop with 40# pack
Wednesday:
40th Street hike with 40# pack and pull-up sets
Thursday:
Shaw Butte with 40# pack
Friday:
12 mile bike ride and pull-up sets
Saturday:
11 mile hike to Tom's Thumb
Sunday:
15 mile bike ride and pull-up sets

Upper-body warmth!

The upper body layering system is very important.  You need to be able to add/subtract layers quickly to be able to adjust for any type of weather that may come your way.  My choices were:
-- "Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero" parka
-- "First Ascent Igniter" jacket
-- "First Ascent Point Success" jacket
-- "First Ascent Cloud Layer" fleece
-- "First Ascent Mountain Guide" soft-shell jacket
-- "First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell" hard shell jacket
-- "First Ascent Paradise 1/4 Zip" baselayer, 2 each
..... total retail full price:  about $1700

Hands and such.....

Here you see:
-- "Outdoor Research" light-weight, windproof gloves
-- "Outdoor Research Arete" mid-weight gloves
-- "Black Diamond Mercury Mitt" heavy-weight gloves
-- "Outdoor Research" water-bottle parka, 2 each
..... total retail full price:  about $250

Return to the Canyon

This week, since my Dad and Aunt were in town, it gave us the perfect opportunity to head back up to the Grand Canyon.  It had been far too long since my last visit, considering it is my very favorite place on earth.  Lacie, Dad, Donna, and myself all went up for the day.  We went to some various view points, and hiked down the Bright Angel trail to the 3-mile resthouse (making for a 6 mile round-trip hike).  All in all, as with most trips to the Canyon, it was a beautiful day.

Training update! (4/19-4/25)

For this week I started doing more work with my backpack, along with the usual stuff:
Monday --
Thunderbird park hike with 30# pack
Tuesday --
12 mile bike ride, then pull-up training at home
Wednesday --
Squaw peak hike with 30# pack
Thursday --
Taliesin trail hike with 30# pack
Friday --
Thunderbird park hike with 30# pack
Saturday --
6 mile hike in the Grand Canyon
Sunday --
12 mile bike ride
..... as the weeks continue, the training needs to become more rigorous and focused.  My dad and aunt were in town this week, so it was a balance of playing host with my workouts.  The journey continues!

Technical Gear, and Headwear

The West Buttress route on McKinley isn't as technical as some of the other routes, but there is still glacier travel involved, as well as some technical rope work.  Because of this, you need to take a variety of technical gear to get the job done.  Also, the two biggest places that heat is lost from your body are your feet and your head.  Since we already covered the footwear, I figured next we should address the head:
-- "Black Diamond Half Dome" helmet
-- "Petzl Adjama" harness
-- "Black Diamond" ice axe, with protector
-- "Black Diamond" trekking poles
-- "BCA Tracker" avalanche transceiver (rental, not pictured)
--7 Various "Petzl" and "Metolius" locking and non-locking carabiners
-- "Petzl Ascension" mechanical ascender
-- 6' pre-sewn sling
-- 10' pre-sewn sling
-- 20' nylon parachute cord
-- 25' 6mm rope
-- 12" bungee cords (4 each)
-- "Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome" hat
-- "Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch" balaclava
-- Brimmed hat
-- "Julbo Dolgan" glacier glasses (2 pair)
-- "Extreme Gravity" goggles
..... total full price retail cost:  about $750 (including rental cost for transceiver)

Sleeping and Packing Gear

Next on the gear list is the sleeping/packing stuff.  Let's have a look:
-- "Mountain Hardwear BMG" backpack
-- "Gregory" duffel bag
-- "Camp Inn" duffel bag
-- "Mountain Hardwear Wraith"
     -20 degree sleeping bag
-- "Sea to Summit eVent" Compression stuff sack
-- "Therm-a-rest Prolite Plus" sleeping pad,
     with stuff sack
-- "Cascade Designs Ridgerest" sleeping pad,
    with stuff sack
It's cold on the mountain, so warm sleeping is a necessity.  Also, the massive amount of gear needs to be packed, shipped, and hauled a long way, so it's important to have the right bags/packs to make it happen.  The total full-price retail cost:  about $1300

Less work, more focus!

Since last September I had been working a part time job with a local chef named Kevin Binkley so I could earn some extra cash for my trip.  He's a visionary chef, and it was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to work with him, but in order to focus more on training for my trip, I had to stop working there as of the end of February.  Then, in February I started teaching night classes at ACI, working doubles for 9 weeks.  As you can imagine, working 15 hour days makes it difficult to focus on training, but now that is over as well.  So now, no part time job, no doubles, all focus!  Let the REAL training begin.

FOOTWEAR

The amount of gear needed to climb Mt. McKinley is ridiculous.  But, I suppose if you want the best chance of coming home with all your body parts still intact, it's a necessary investment.  Here is a picture and list of just the footwear purchased for the adventure:
-- "Black Diamond Sabretooth" Crampons
-- "La Sportiva Spantik" Mountaineering Boots
-- "Outdoor Research" Gaiters
-- "Smartwool" Mountaineering Socks (3 pair)
-- "Smartwool" Liner Socks (4 pair)
-- "Forty Below Purple Haze" Overboots
-- "Sierra Designs" Insulated Camp Booties
-- "MSR Denali" Snowshoes
..... total full-price retail cost of footwear alone:  about $1400

Here we go.....

Ok!  We just passed the two-month-mark until my departure for Alaska, so I believe that means The Endurathon has officially begun!  From this point on I'll be keeping closer records of my training routine, any pertinent information about the trip, and all the facts/figures/gear that are involved in a climb of this sort.  Please check back often, if you're interested, to stay up to date on all the excitement.  My flight leaves Phoenix early in the morning on June 8th, 2010, and arrives in Anchorage the same day.  The trip has three guides, and 9 clients (including myself) for a total of 12 climbers in our group.  We will all be meeting at the airport in Anchorage at which point there is a shuttle that will take us north to the town of Talkeetna.  The reality of the trip has started to sink in, so at this point I'll happily accept any encouragement along the way!  I'll update again soon.....

Hike Profile: holbert trail, south mountain

South Mountain has some wonderful trails for both biking and hiking, and this is one of my favorite's on the mountain:  The Holbert Trail.  From the trailhead to the summit, it's 3.5 miles each way.  The first 2.5 miles are great desert hiking, and the last mile follows a road to the top.  The total hike probably gains about 1000 feet of elevation (give or take a few).  It's a nice change of scenery, and it's a different view from the top, because of how far south in the valley it is.  I definitely recommend this one.  It's a good, long 7 mile hike, with a nice amount of elevation gain to get the heart pumping, but without making it overly strenuous.  It's a great hike for all abilities.  Once you enter the gates of the park, take the first immediate left, and then drive almost to the end of the parking lot.  The trail will be marked on your right hand side.  Good times.

Hike Profile: bell pass trail

     The Bell Pass trail is another wonderful hike in the McDowell Mountains.  The trail starts at the Gateway trailhead, along with many other great hikes, and heads toward the Gateway loop.  After turning right onto the loop, the Bell Pass trails intersects the Gateway loop after about a mile and a half.  From that point, Bell Pass is about two miles, and close to 1000 feet of elevation gain, ahead.  The total mileage on this trail is around 7 miles round-trip, with just over 1000 feet of elevation gain.  It was a cloudy, rainy day when we went, which gave me a perfect opportunity to test out some of the rain-gear I had purchased for the McKinley climb.  After the hike, I can tell you with extreme confidence, that the First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell Jacket and Pant combo is worth every penny......bone dry through the entire hike.  Happy trails.

All work and no play...... there's always time to play.

     I just wanted to do a quick update about our weekend.  We went to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, and it was fantastic.  I am a huge roller-coaster fanatic, and they had some great ones.  All in all we were able to ride:
X-2: my new all-time favorite ride, unlike any other coaster
Tatsu: a great flying coaster, and my first
Terminator Salvation:  modern wooden coaster
Viper:  standard, multi inversion metal coaster
Riddler's Revenge:  tall, fast, standing coaster
Batman:  great inverted coaster
Scream:  multi-looping floorless coaster
Goliath:  very tall, very fun, very fast steel coaster
Revolution:  world's first looping coaster
Gold Rusher:  chill, old-timey coaster
Superman:  blast coaster that was the world's first to hit 100mph
Colossus:  old wooden coaster

     It was nice to be able to get away with my wife for Valentine's day.  We had a great time.

McKinley Update

          Today is an important day:  not only is it 4 MONTHS from my McKinley departure date, but it's also the date I'll be putting a check in the mail for the remaining balance of my climb.  It was a hard road, and an expensive one, but the trip is paid for.  I've also purchased my plane ticket, so I guess there's no turning back at this point.  I have a few pieces of equipment to gather still, but all the really expensive shit is out of the way.  I want to take a moment to thank my loving, and very generous, wife Lacie for all the support.  Without her, none of this would be possible.  So, Thank You baby.
          I created this blog as a place to share this adventure with friends and family.  In a few months things are really going to pick up, and my training will increase for the 4 challenges ahead.  I'm going to need a lot of love and support from my people, so be ready.  The ball is in motion, and soon we'll be rolling full force.  Keep checking back for more details and news.  The Endurathon is getting close.

SOMA Triathlon, October 2010

The Endurathon is becoming more and more official each day!  Today I registered for the Half-Iron distance triathlon in October.  The event will be October 24th of 2010, in Tempe, Arizona.  The distances for a half-iron triathlon are:  1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run (half-marathon).  I'm not too worried about the bike or the run, but the swim is a concern.  As soon as I get back from Alaska I'm going to join a gym with a pool, and get my ass in the water.  I'll keep you posted!

Full Marathon in 2011

Also, another quick update, at the 2010 Rock and Roll Arizona Fitness Expo, I went ahead and registered for the 2011 full-marathon -- which is the 4th event of my planned "Endurathon", so that's a done deal.  Our good friend Stacey Needham also registered.  It's a year away, so if anyone else is feeling crazy, we'd love some company.

Best running-playlist ever.....

The music that powered me through the 2010 half-marathon:

     Superbeast -- Rob Zombie
     Surfacing -- Slipknot
     Sandblasted Skin -- Pantera
     Dying Breed -- Five Finger Death Punch
     Indestructible -- Disturbed
     The Heaviest Matter in the Universe -- Gojira
     Disciple -- Slayer
     30/30-150 -- Stone Sour
     Bleed -- Meshuggah
     King Kill 33 -- Marilyn Manson
     Psychosocial -- Slipknot
     Bulletproof --Five Finger Death Punch
     The Night -- Disturbed
     Hell and Consequences -- Stone Sour
     Dig -- Mudvayne
     Momma Sed (remix) -- Puscifer
     Flying Whales -- Gojira
     Through the Fire and Flames -- Dragonforce
     Revolution Deathsquad -- Dragonforce
     Cry for Eternity -- Dragonforce
     Heroes of Our Time -- Dragonforce

Best time ever!  1 hour and 43 minutes.

RNRAZ 2010 Half-Marathon Results

Today was the 2010 Rock and Roll Arizona Half Marathon.  It was a beautiful day, and the weather was perfect for a 13.1 mile run.  The race started promptly at 8:30 this morning.  I ran, as well as my wife Lacie, our friends Sean and Kim Ellis, our other friend Stacey Needham and her mom, and my co-worker Mark Maccherola.  Everyone finished in great time, meeting or exceeding personal goals.  The breakdown was:

Chris Wolf --              1 hour and 43 minutes
Mark Maccherola --   1 hour and 57 minutes
Stacey Needham --     2 hours and 16 minutes
Sean and Kim Ellis --  2 hours and 37 minutes
Lacie Wolf --              2 hours and 48 minutes
Chris Needham --       3 hours and 12 minutes

.....congratulations to everyone on a great run.  It's a great event, held annually, and if anyone reading this has any desire to participate next year, we'll definitely be doing it again!!!!!  What a great start for 2010.

2010!!!!!!!!!!

The first event of the year is upon us:  rock n roll 1/2 marathon!  This will be a nice warm-up for an exciting year ahead.  The race is on Sunday, Jaunary 17th.  Training for this one has been pretty chill.....I don't think I've done any training runs longer than 9 miles.  I'm running with Lacie, Stacy, Sean, and Kim, so we have a pretty sweet crew put together for the big day.  My best time ever on a half-marathon is 2:01 and I'm hoping to chop that number down this year.  I'm shooting for somewhere between 1:45 and 1:55.  I'm hoping the almighty power of the IPOD and Advil will get me down to my goal.  A motivating playlist of rob zombie, gojira, slipknot, disturbed, mudvayne, five finger death punch, meshuggah, stone sour, manson, puscifer, slayer, and the greatest running music of all time -- dragonforce -- should power me through the finish line.  Good luck to all my friends in the event, I'm sure you're all gonna do great.  After the race, we'll celebrate by stuffing our faces at In N Out baby!