Bare Bluff

Hiking

Bare Bluff, 3 miles.

I can't see the bottom.

This is a loop trail, though most hike the upper path there and back.  On advice gleaned from the internet, we did the loop counterclockwise this morning.  There is some scrambling over boulder fields and roots, but at least we did it on the way up.  Very fun and a little scary.  The view from the top was worth the climb and the way back was steady and easy.

view from the top.

Shootim

I rode this afternoon.  Shootim was quite mellow and willing.  I felt that we were starting to get into a rhythm of lifting the shoulder in the corners of the pen.  Susan and Kirsten thought that he was loping very well.  From on top I had a difficult time staying on the saddle, Shootim is that strong behind.  Afterwords, we drank a couple of beers and watched the farrier trim Shootim's feet.

Shootim fascinated by Bossy Man.

Yep, Start With The Shoes

Hello, It's been a long while.  When I haven't been busy doing stuff, I've been lazy.  Here's everything, organized by sport.

WOD

Every week I worked out at least once at CF906.  I've been getting to bed early, about 9:00 pm, so I can get up and to the gym at 6:00 the next morning.

I've been dabbling at these workouts; very scaled down, less reps, less sets.  When my body said 'enough,' I packed it in.  Nothing was on the clock.  I also did meters double poling on the new ski erg.  I'm up to 450 meters.

WODs:
8/12/15
"DT"
5 rounds

• 12 deadlifts
• 9 hang power cleans
• 6 push jerks

8/19/15
EMOM for 20'

• 2 power clean/push press

then

3 rounds

• 25 yard overhead walking lunge
• 10 seated box jumps
• 12 glute ham raises (I was only doing hip extensions.  I just looked this up.)

8/26/15
"Death By Clean"
I did power cleans at 75# up to 6 rounds.

then

3 rounds

• 15 hip extensions
• 10 sumo deadliest high pulls ( I subbed ring rows.)
• 50 yard sled pull

only 10 hip extensions, I did 2 rounds.

8/27/15
AMRAP 15'

• 2 rope climbs (I did one per round.)
• 10 knees to elbows (I did 5)
• 400m row

I did 3 rounds +6 reps

Shootim

So, I've been riding about once a week.  Kirsten's been riding my horse during the week as well.

Mountain Biking

We've gone out once a week mountain biking as well.  Since the last post we've been to:

Swedetown

Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids

MTU Trails

Hiking

We've also been hiking a bit each week.
After the purchase of a hiking shirt, Kirsten seems to be all clothed for hiking.

Nice shirt, huh?

My wardrobe is sadly lacking in hiking specific clothes.  It wasn't a problem until we started hiking in the Rockies and got interested in the sport.  I can cobble together something from gym, bike and ski clothes.  I can't find the right shoes, though.  I think that shall be my first hiking gear purchase.  Until then, I hope my sneakers will have enough cushion to keep my heels from hurting again.  I worry about plantar fascitis.  It's been bugging me since last summer.

8/9/15
Nara Trails, 3.2 miles.
The grass was wet.  Kirsten was right, we should have hiked on the dirt single track.

8/22/15
Copper Harbor:
Horseshoe Harbor 1.2 miles.
Estivant Pines 2.0 miles.

After a late start, we drove up to Copper Harbor for a couple of hikes.  We had one more to do, but were getting tired and hungry, so headed for home.

Here we are at Horseshoe Harbor.

Baby's first cairn.  I've always wanted to do that.

Holding those big trees apart.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

The best picture of the whole vacation, I think.  On the way to Emerald Lake.

Come to the house, I've got lots more. ;)

It has been a while.  I'll have to summarize a lot to catch up.

Kirsten, Mom and I attended a Piano Technician's Guild convention in Denver.  Afterwords, we spent a few days in Estes Park and explored a little in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

July 18

WOD

AMRAP 5'

• Man Makers

We all worked out at the hotel fitness center.  Kirsten and Mom did a different workout.

Rocky Mountain National Park

July 20

Hiking

Bear Lake

.6 miles

9,575' altitude

It was a very short hike.  Free shuttle service from Estes Park brought us right to the trailhead.  We took lots of time on all of these hikes for pictures.  What a gorgeous place!

July 21

Hiking

Bear Lake (again)

.6 miles

9,575' altitude

This hike was so easy, we talked Mom into coming with us the second time.  Originally, we had planned a longer hike, but this was a great chance for Mom to get out and see something spectacular. What was an easy hike for us, though, was a peak effort for Mom.  She did fine.

July 22

Hiking

Emerald Lake, Alberta Falls

5.5 miles

10,080' max altitude

I was looking at a circuit route for this, but Kirsten wisely suggested we do this as a two out-and -back hikes in a row.  Very wise, in case it turned out to be too tough for us.  As an added bonus, it gave us a potty stop in the middle of our hike.  All from the Bear Lake trailhead.

Back Home

July 26, 30

'Back in the saddle agin'

Shootim

Shootim continues to improve under saddle.  Kirsten has been riding him as well.  He likes to work out.  After, he likes to eat.

July 31

Out at Swedetown.

Mountain Biking

Swedetown.  Fun.

August 5

The new ski-erg is going to be great!

WOD

EMOM 20'

• Power Clean
• Front Squat
• Shoulder To Overhead

All at 70%

Then 3 rounds

• 10 Glute Ham Raises
• 10 Seated Box Jumps
• 25 yards walking lunges w/plate overhead.

I did a smidgen of everything with light weight, since I've been away from CF for so long.

I even did 250 meters on the new ski-erg at CF906

Aug 7

Mountain Biking

MTU Trails - Outer Limits

More fun.  I did the whole climb up Twilight Zone without having to stop.  

If She Can, You Can

Mom working on her ring push-ups.  She's 83.

Mountain biking.

More playing on my day off.

No Data for you today, my GPS was undergoing maintenance while we biked.  Swedetown was nice, Jeff was with us.  We did Applesauce, Southside, Lakeview, Bridges, Cable Connector, a bit of Two Hoots and the Back Country trail.

The happy trio.

Finally!

KIrsten demonstrating proper form.

Sunday

Shootim

I wish we had a video of me riding Shootim.  He was excellent.

It was a hot day.  Shootim bucked once on the line and then we went right to work.  We got out the CB reins again and Shootim picked up exactly where he left off the day before with Jack.  I put him through his progression, yielding each way the head, then shoulders and finally, hindquarters.

Shootim was a champ and we zipped right through the workout.  Cantering to the right was excellent.  To the left, Shootim had more difficulty, but he seemed to get the basics of it right, just not as smooth and easy as the other lead.  Something Jack discovered Saturday, Shootim gets his best position for the canter from sidepassing toward the rail.  It worked a treat today!

Tuesday

WOD

AMRAP 5'

• Man Makers

CW: 8 reps.  This came from CF906 programming.  Getting back to working out.  I took it easy, waiting to catch my breath if I got going too hard.  I still have a cough left over from being sick. I used 25# dumbbells.

Wednesday

Rowing

Finally we got out on the water!  Blame it on me being busy and being lazy.  The boats have been waiting patiently for us since May.

Drills:
Finish to catch (in place)
One oar circles (I shouldn't have had the gps on for this, it screwed up my average pace.)

51F, winds 5 - 10MPH  The water was mostly flat.  We rowed out and back for 2,000 meters.  It was great rowing again.  The week before I was wondering if we shouldn't just sell the boats. Not any more!

36:29
2760m
6:35/500m
(drills included)

Jack Makes A Collect Call

Shootim trying out his new halter.

Some freaky cold virus has kept me out of things for quite a bit.  Kirsten lured me out for a bike ride over near Gay, Michigan.  It was fun, but I had to cough most of the time.  The GPS didn't work out there, so I have no data to share. 

Shootim

I did get a couple of rides in last week. The real news, however, was today.  After I warmed Shootim up with the usual stuff, Jack had a ride on Shootim. He hasn't been on a horse in about a month.  His work schedule has been that hard.  With some CB reins, he got some extraordinary collection out of Shootim.  The CBs are like draw reins with  a stop to prevent their over-leveraging. 

When Jack was done, I had a turn.  The CB reins work great!  Such easy control, and Shootim went right to work.  From the ground, Jack and Susan coached me on what to ask for.  It seems that Shootim is ready to 'go to town.'  The standards are raised quite a bit.  I must confess that I wasn't used to the feel of a very collected canter.  It didn't actually feel right, downright lumpy feeling.  I'm promised that it will improve with time.  It was a very interesting time.

Catching Up

Monday, June 1

I don't need another bike.  Do I?

Mountain biking

After we biked the Pilgrim River loops (5.7 miles, 39:14,) we returned home to meet our visitor, Alex.  We had seen a tent at the trailhead and upon investigation found it was a demo from Surly Bikes.  Once we met Alex he was game to go and try some out, so back we went.  We all three tried out new bikes. This was my first time on a fat bike.  It was fun in a steady traveling sort of way.

Sunday, June 7

Shootim

At the barn, Shootim was getting his front shoes.  He must have done this before, he had no trouble.  Since then Kirsten has had a couple of good rides on him.  I've just been too busy.

Tuesday, June 9

WOD

AMRAP 10'

• 5 Pull-ups
• 10 DB Thrusters 45/35#
• 15 Overhead Walking Lunges w/ Plate 45/35#

With an appointment rescheduled, I went to 906 in the morning.  This was their workout.  I used 25# DBs and plate.  I think I got 4 rounds.

Thursday, June 11

Our coach at 906, Jared.

WOD "Steve"

"Steve" died 4 years ago.  He's a local guy, you can read his story here.  906 does the WOD in the local park every year.  This year, Kirsten and I could come.

• 1 mile Run

5 rounds

• 5 Push Press 135/95#
• 27 Sit-ups
• 11 Box Jumps 30/24"

• 1 mile Run

My feet were feeling maybe ok.  We did a run/walk mile  clocking 13 minutes.  Push press was 75#, 10 sit-ups, and about 14" box jumps.   After all of this, my feet were in no shape to run.  I should have rowed, but instead we walked the last mile.  As the run was around a lake, there was no shortening the distance.  Although not good for my feet, it did make a really nice cooldown. 

Monday, June 15

At CF Worthy for our anniversary.

Warm-up

• 30 Goblet Squats
• 20 Snatch Press Unders
• 10 Duck Walks

• 3 High hang Muscle Snatch
• 3 Snatch Balance
• 3 1st Pulls + High Hang Snatch
• 3 Snatch

Weightlifting

5 rounds @ 70%

• 1 High Hang Snatch
• 1 Hang Snatch
• 1 Snatch
• 2:00 rest

WOD

AMRAP 15' @95/65#

• 1 Power Clean
• 1 Front Squat
• 1 Push Press
• 1 Back Squat
• 1 Push Press

And that's part of a de-load week at CFW!  We had a great time.  Where better to celebrate our 30th anniversary?  I think I got 32 rounds + 1 rep.

Since getting back home, I've had a cold.