Moab

All posts tagged Moab

Back to the Beginning?

Posted by sarianderson on September 29, 2015
Posted in: Photos and Videos, Racing News, Training, Upcoming Races. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Just two weeks ago, as I mentally prepared to go in for another small surgery on my ankle, I got a call from Jari Kirkland asking me if I could go to Ecuador for an adventure race. I told her that I was nowhere near trained for it. Of course, I really wanted to go. I talked it over with the guys from the team and told them that I might be a liability—they didn’t care. Ian told me that sure, it might not be prudent for me to race, but how often do you get a free trip to Ecuador. So, 24 hours later, I decided I was in for the Nonstop Ecuador Es Tu Cancha race.

I’m very excited to get out for another adventure race and to see Ecuador. My training has been upped significantly, adding some night riding and paddling.

Heading out for a night ride in Moab

Heading out for a night ride in Moab

Summit of Mt. Sopris. Round trip of 3 hours 34 minutes and elevation gain of 4,390 feet

Summit of Mt. Sopris. Round trip of 3 hours 34 minutes and elevation gain of 4,390 feet

Ian and me at the top of Searle Pass, 12,034 feet, on the Dirty Copper Triangle

Ian and I at the top of Searle Pass, 12,034 feet, on the Dirty Copper Triangle

Ian traversing between Searle and Kokomo Passes

Ian traversing between Searle and Kokomo Passes

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Kokomo Pass, 12,027 feet

Kokomo Pass, 12,027 feet

Follow the yellow brick road

Follow the yellow brick road

I have a few more weeks squeeze in some training, especially at elevation (Quito is at over 9K feet!). I plan on running the Four Pass Loop this weekend and getting out on a few long rides. This race will be a wildcard for me, but I’m excited to have a goal to work towards and it’s motivated me to be as ready as possible.

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Moab Weekend

Posted by sarianderson on November 27, 2011
Posted in: Random Fun, Training and racing with kids. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

I am trying to have a few weeks of active recovery and a small off season before skimo training ramps up. I’m realizing this is much harder than I thought it would be. Most of my runs and rides last week were harder than they were supposed to be because I don’t think I’m very good at holding back. This weekend I made a sincere effort to actually actively recover.

Our family headed to Moab on Friday morning with friends for one last desert getaway. Normally when we have the chance for a weekend like this, I get as much training in as possible. It was a nice change to go on a few short runs and then hang with the kids. We even got a great family hike in Arches National Park this morning before heading home.

I’ve taken ‘off seasons’ before by default when a racing season is complete, but this is the first time I’ve had someone telling me to really rest. Without being accountable to Lindsay Hyman at CTS, I’m not sure if I would be able to hold back as much as I have. After a great weekend with the family, I’m looking forward to another easy week before getting going again. Especially since my new Sportiva skis arrived while we were away!

Thankful

Posted by sarianderson on November 23, 2011
Posted in: Gear. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

It’s that time of year when we all think about what we are thankful for. Too bad more of us don’t do this more often but at least we do it sometime.

Of course I’m thankful for the usual things like my amazing husband, my kids, our extended family, etc. But this year I’m also thankful for La Sportiva sponsoring me for the skimo season again and the gear that is on its way to my house. I had a hard time not feeling like a kid on Christmas while reading the email showing my RSR skis and binding and Hi5 skis had shipped. My Stratos boots from last season are perfectly broken in and ready for some ski days very soon.

First however, we are headed to Moab for a little more mountain biking and trail running before more snow flies. We just can’t seem to get enough of the desert even with Ian picking up his Surly Pugsley snow bike this afternoon and my skis on the way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.sportiva.com/products/ski/skis/hi5

Prepping for Tasmania

Posted by sarianderson on October 19, 2011
Posted in: Training and racing with kids. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The family headed west to Moab for the weekend to enjoy some camping, running, biking and paddling. As much fun as Ian and I had training, Juniper and Axel had much more fun playing in the dirt with their friends. Tasmania is approaching very quickly so it was awesome for the family to spend an amazing weekend together.

With the temperatures in the 80s in town, we headed up into the La Sal Mountains for a 20 mile run/trek. The fall colors are a little behind in Moab making for some spectacular scenery.

 

Warner Lake

So thankful I have Joy to go on adventures with me

It is a very good thing Joy took a picture of her map before we left as my 10 year old map was not so good

My run/trek in the La Sals brought back many memories of Primal Quest 2006. Joy and I ran on many of the same trails and came through Warner Lake as we had in the race. Poor Joy listened to more stories and memories than she was prepared for.

Juniper, Selah & Axel test out my kayak

I love the Colorado River

A little rock jumping to freshen up after a weekend of playing hard

A Desert Feast

Posted by sarianderson on December 1, 2008
Posted in: Training. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

With just over a week to go before my race in Abu Dhabi, Ian, Juniper and I headed to the desert one more time to squeeze in more biking, paddling and running. This time we had a great four-day Thanksgiving weekend to pack in as much training as possible. We got to Moab on Wednesday night and arrived at our condo just a few minutes behind Michael and Jenny Tobin, who had driven nine hours from Boise with their kids Mikella (age 4) and Jack (16 mos).

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Jack and Juniper in the Chariot with Ian and Michael while the girls were out running.

I got up early on Thursday morning and went on a nice 1.5 hour run up the Porcupine Rim trail with Jenny, who finished seventh at the Xterra Worlds last month, and is a super-fast runner. Afterwards, Micheal and I loaded up our tandem sea kayak and paddled for about two hours on the Colorado river. It was pouring down rain like I’ve never seen before in Moab, and it was spectacular to watch new waterfalls spill off the canyon walls. Jenny cooked us a terrific Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings and we turned in early, exhausted and content.

(click any photo to enlarge)

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On Friday, Jenny and I enjoyed another morning run on Moab Rim and then Michael and I paddled for another couple of hours. In the afternoon, Juniper and I enjoyed a long ride in the Chariot while Ian rode the Slickrock trail.

On Saturday morning, our third teammate, Mike Kloser drove in from Vail to meet us, along with Jay Henry, who is also racing in Abu Dabhi on Richard Ussher’s team. We set off in the cold for a long, six-hour paddle, which was pretty monotonous but definitely time well spent. I actually felt really good for the whole session and even managed to find the energy for a quick 45-minute trail run when we got back.

My paddling 'burkha' - ready for the Muslim women in Abu Dabhi

My paddling 'burkha' - ready for the Muslim women in Abu Dhabi.

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It was cold on Sat. morning - about 40 degrees and the clouds were still low in the canyon.

Check out Micheal's ghetto plastic bag poggies, but hey, they worked!

Nice poggies Michael! But hey, his hands stayed warm.

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Ian and Juniper hiked in Arches on Sat. with Jay's wife Cynthia.

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Under the Morning Glory Natural Bridge

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Finally on Sunday, Jenny and I got up early and ran the 2.2 mile Negro Bill trail to the beautiful Morning Glory Natural Bridge. When I got back, Ian joined Michael, Mike and Jay for a great ride on the Sovereign Trail while I packed and loaded up the Suby. To top off the weekend, I rode out the Colorado River Road for about 20 miles until Ian and Juniper met me for lunch at Fisher Towers.

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Me, Ian, Mike, Michael and Jay after the Sovereign Trail

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Finishing my road ride with the Fisher Towers in the distance.

Final tally for the four days: about 10 hours of paddling, five hours of running and three hours of biking. All in all, it was a great weekend and it reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for: my wonderful family, friends and teammates!