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