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| My "go-to mountain" - Mt. Millicent |
I’ve been back in Brighton over the Christmas/New Year's break
indulging myself in all sorts of fun winter mountain activities; skate skiing,
tele-skiing, running, snowshoeing and snowboarding. To welcome 2014 I thought
it would be fun to combine all five activities into a New Year’s Day celebration.
My celebration started at 6:00 am with a run from Brighton
over Guardsman’s Pass to Deer Valley and back with speedster Kevin Schilling.
It’s great to have friends who think the best way to welcome a new year is with
an early morning run. (15 miles)
Next was tele-skiing on perfect corduroy after catching the
first chair on Millicent. A number of high-speed laps were just what I needed
to get a good case of Bernina legs. (8.5 miles)
After a quick switch into
snowboard boots I was back on Millicent. This was my first time on the board
this year and the first run was a bit shaky. But, just like never forgetting
how to ride a bike – the board and I once again became one. (8.5 miles)
I was looking forward with great enthusiasm to event #4 –
skate skiing. If I had to choose only one sport I could do for the rest of my
life, my choice would be skate skiing. I enjoy the total workout – legs, arms, and
core. But more so, I find that the rhythm and motion allow my head to go to
that other place that I so like to visit. (17 miles)
And for the final event of the day, snowshoeing with my
kids. Yeah, it took some arm-twisting and even the promise of a few post
snowshoeing beers, but they joined me for a wonderful late afternoon jaunt
through the woods (3 miles)
And for fun symbolism – the day added up to 52 miles of
ground covered – my age on this first day of January 2014!
All-in-all a most enjoyable day and hopefully some good prep
for several running events in early 2014 including the Treviso Marathon outside
of Venice, Italy in February where I would like to run a sub 3:00. And then on
April 11 the 100 miles of Istria trail race in Croatia. I’m feeling healthy and
strong and have high hopes for doing well at this race across the Istrian
Peninsula. While it is only January, I’m feeling healthy and strong, and am
confident this could be a good running year for me.
