3rd Annual BPL Spring Run -Zion Training Thread

Eugene, you're killing it out there. Seems like it's been a good season for you.

another weak week, hampered by below 0 temps and 2'+ of snow, it's been treadmill all week- 5.5/5.5 miles Tues/Wed, 11 miles Sat and 4.5 today

we're supposed to be above freezing tomorrow (the weather man has been wrong on every warming trend the last month), so I might be able to get the snowshoes or skis out this week

Mike – you need to relocate to the southwest.

^ agreed!

^ Yeah I'm a little nervous about the year when Mike invites us his way to do the "Spring Run" in some frigid conditions. Southwest relocation sounds like a good plan Mike :)

Well, after reviewing some pack suggestions from Art and Mike I decided to ignore them both and go my own way. I ended up picking up one of the new UD Peter Bakwin vests since I was somewhat familiar with the fit already and time is getting short. Took it out for an 8 mile jaunt over some local hills yesterday, loaded up with 2.5 liters of water, camera, and some other gear to add some weight. The fit felt pretty good, I like the V2 design with the added adjustment. I just need to get it dialed in now. The legs felt that additional weight tho – especially on the climbs which I had to mostly revert to hiking up.

I'm training on ground that's got an overall incline as steep or steeper than Zion, but I just don't have time to get the distances in that I really want/need to. Hoping it will be enough to enable me to run alongside the back of the pack runners…

Jacob- look forward to seeing the pack. Osprey has come out w/ a new series (Rev) that looks pretty promising- not that I don't already have enough packs mind you :)

Mike

I ran Tues and Wed on pavement! It's a 1.3 mile path around a park that they plow- got 4 laps in each day. I don't like running on pavement, but the alternative was the treadmill. Saturday went out to the mountains w/ snowshoes on my back and microspikes in my pack. Got to use both on what turned out to be a two hour, 6 mile grind. Today I wanted (needed) to get some miles in, so we decided to run on some gravel roads (that are plowed!)- ended up w/ just shy of 19 miles and over 3000' of elevation gain. Longest run in a month or two (maybe more???). There was one stretch (to connect two roads) that required some major post holing for ~ 3/4 mile- that was tough.

Anywho a much better week than the previous several.

Mike

well, just bring your snowshoes to Zion Mike, so you can be comfortable on the trail …

I ordered a pair of N2's today, going to give them a workout for a while.

hopefully I won't need them :) as it gets a little closer I plan on talking to the Park Service to get an idea on the conditions of the trail- I know they can sometimes get some lingering snow/ice into April

good chance I'll pack my microspikes

let me know what you think of the N2's- they're working well for me

Well, I'm surfing and diving better than ever….but running: not so much. Logging the miles just isn't speaking to me these days.

Nothing but hill repeats and faster tempo 5Ks or less as part of general workouts/conditioning. All of my "training" has been crossfit sort of routines or time spent spent in the water.

I'm now questioning whether or not I even want to speed hike the traverse.

But I'll be there either way. I'm actually now leaning towards skipping the ultra and doing a canyon or two while I'm out there instead. I can also help with logistics on the morning of the run.

Still looking forward to getting out there either way.

Do we have a headcount on this? Many people seem to have gone silent….

Myself and John V. are still in.
still going for the full traverse.

Zion is beautiful no matter how you choose to experience it.

So … we need to find a new designated sweeper ?

No official head count, but looks like the "for sures" are: you and Adan, Craig and John, Eugene (maybe a buddy?), Jacob (maybe a buddy?)- I'll be coming from MT, as well as Grant (and his wife).

Feel free to pipe in if you're not mentioned, the reservation is for up to 30 I believe- we so have plenty of room :)

I have the flight booked. May be hanging in the rear with Craig, I am doing a pretty aggressive trip in the days after Zion so I can't give it 100%. Either way, stoked about the trip.

Just saw Craig's comment above, guess I will be alone in the rear.

sorry Greg- I knew you were coming

I'm sure there will be very good company in the rear- I'm pretty sure that's where I'll be hanging!

Sorry again for backing out of the run guys, just being up front as soon as I can. Surfing won again. I pulled it off in Joshua Tree but I'm more skeptical going into Zion without more time on my feet in training.

I'm thinking I'll likely bring rope and gear and do a short canyon or two while you guys are out.

that'll work- the run is secondary imo, the camaraderie number one :)

looks like with as few as 7-8 at the starting line I'll have a good shot at my first ever top 10 finish.

I'll be there. Flying solo but riding up with Art and John from Vegas (thanks again guys!!). I'm really pumped and ready to roll! Sounds like I'll have some company at the back.

I just hiked with David Wage and he is not going to make it (he has no computer at the moment so I'm responding for him).

Craig, sorry to hear you're not going to do the traverse. Surfing and diving does sound like a lot of fun though, can't say I could blame you. Sounds like you're still making the trip though, and Adan too?

"that'll work- the run is secondary imo, the camaraderie number one :)"

Was about to say this myself. Really looking forward to meeting up with everyone again.

Yeah, wish I could swing it and see you all again. But having been in Zion with my wife for V-day and there again tomorrow with my daughter, it would be pushing it to return solo in 2 weeks.

David – sorry you won't be joining us.
could possibly try and get a read on the high country snow when you are there.
thanks.

Jacob,
Im still a go for Zion. Excited to see everyone. Excited to see the place again. May not be in shape to partake in the run with you guys, but I'm gonna be the best damn drunk and hairy cheerleader ever.

excited to be planning some canyon explorations with Craig too. Is everyone planning on arriving the day prior and leaving the morning after again? I would like to be in camp when most of you will be hanging out.

Adan – myself, John V. and Jacob will be arriving late Thursday night (10pm ?).
we need to leave 9:00am Sunday to get Jacob back to the airport.

spend Friday enjoying the park with friends and finalizing logistics.

what about everyone else ?

I'll be there Thursday late afternoon (guess)- will be leaving probably Sun evening (possibly early Mon morn)

we should have all Friday to "play"- I suggest we take in Angels Landing sometime Friday