Hmm. Does anyone still read this? Did anyone read it in the first place? Who knows. On some level I enjoy the writing, but clearly that level has remained buried as of late, as I have not been writing anything! I suppose I have been quiet as I feel that I am following that old adage of: if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Frankly, life has been beating me down these last fews months, so I have been keeping quiet. But I have been out and about doing a few things:
I raced yesterday at the Hickok Pursuit, despite being sick all week. I think this was a bad idea. Somehow, or another, I survived and my place and time were not too terrible. But I sure felt like hell for most of the race. I started school this past week, and I should be doing homework right now, but instead I am rambling on my blog. Previously my blog was reserved for recounts of exciting adventures, but I really have not had many as of late.
No pictures, no stories, no nothing. Life is boring. Bring on February, more light and the Olympics.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Whew, Awesome Weekend
I have had an epic and rejuvenating last day. Last night was my first ever boulder competition-- which went pretty well, all things considered and leaves me feeling excited to keep climbing and improving. And today was the opening race for the Anchorage Cup, and the sprint relay was very fun as usual, particularly the win in the coed bracket with Erik.
The boulder competition was set up allowing all climbers 2.5 hours to climb as many problems as they wanted, with scores calculated by tallying the top five point value climbs completed. This type of format means that strategy is a large component in garnering a high score. Additionally, on-site completion (climbing a problem bottom to top on the first try) was used as a tie-breaker. I am sure I made some mistakes, not warming up adequately, burning out on some big problems that I never actually completed, etc. Next time I try a competition, I will certainly plot a better path to high points. But I suppose most of figuring things out is by actually doing competitions.
I ended up third in the women's division, which was good, although it was a very distant third. Both of the women above me in the standings climb really, really hard, so next time I will have to try to bridge that gap a little bit. Climbs completed were roughly: v6, v4/5, v4, v4 & v3/4, not bad for my first try. The competition also provided a fun social event, talking to lots of other climbers, and particularly seeing guest climber Chris Lindner climb some incredibly difficult problems-- and making it look easy.
This morning I reluctantly rolled out of bed and headed over to Kincaid for the sprint relay, always a fun day of racing. The first race of the day was the women's relay, which I skied with Judy from work. Judy is one fit lady, she is old enough to be my mom and she still gets after it on a regular basis. We started strong, but faded out and finished in sixth. My lungs were burning and my arms felt limp and dead after the first race. I was starting to question my sanity deciding to race twice. I tried to regain my composure while the coed race started. Erik went first and tagged off to me in a strong position. I maintained our slot and Erik came around to tag for the final leg a few seconds out of the lead in a solid second place. Somehow my lungs seemed to have recovered by the last leg, and I was able to make an attack on the climb over the tunnel. As I came down the final hill, I slingshotted around Kristy (who was leading) and kicked it in to the finish. Not too shabby-- but still time to do a little more training. Now I have the racing hack and I am feeling sore, but stoked for the winter!
Crusing on the first lap of the women's relay
Tag after the first leg of the coed relay
The boulder competition was set up allowing all climbers 2.5 hours to climb as many problems as they wanted, with scores calculated by tallying the top five point value climbs completed. This type of format means that strategy is a large component in garnering a high score. Additionally, on-site completion (climbing a problem bottom to top on the first try) was used as a tie-breaker. I am sure I made some mistakes, not warming up adequately, burning out on some big problems that I never actually completed, etc. Next time I try a competition, I will certainly plot a better path to high points. But I suppose most of figuring things out is by actually doing competitions.
I ended up third in the women's division, which was good, although it was a very distant third. Both of the women above me in the standings climb really, really hard, so next time I will have to try to bridge that gap a little bit. Climbs completed were roughly: v6, v4/5, v4, v4 & v3/4, not bad for my first try. The competition also provided a fun social event, talking to lots of other climbers, and particularly seeing guest climber Chris Lindner climb some incredibly difficult problems-- and making it look easy.
This morning I reluctantly rolled out of bed and headed over to Kincaid for the sprint relay, always a fun day of racing. The first race of the day was the women's relay, which I skied with Judy from work. Judy is one fit lady, she is old enough to be my mom and she still gets after it on a regular basis. We started strong, but faded out and finished in sixth. My lungs were burning and my arms felt limp and dead after the first race. I was starting to question my sanity deciding to race twice. I tried to regain my composure while the coed race started. Erik went first and tagged off to me in a strong position. I maintained our slot and Erik came around to tag for the final leg a few seconds out of the lead in a solid second place. Somehow my lungs seemed to have recovered by the last leg, and I was able to make an attack on the climb over the tunnel. As I came down the final hill, I slingshotted around Kristy (who was leading) and kicked it in to the finish. Not too shabby-- but still time to do a little more training. Now I have the racing hack and I am feeling sore, but stoked for the winter!
Crusing on the first lap of the women's relay
Tag after the first leg of the coed relay
Friday, November 27, 2009
It's that Time of the Year Again...
The holidays are here. I have particularly mixed feelings about the season this year. I suppose it is a good thing to have a few days off of work, to see my brother and his wife-- those are the things I am looking forward to. The rest of it, the gifts, the craziness, the stress, the particular loneliness the holidays bring-- well those are all things I could do without. To make matters worse it is the cold and more crucially, dark season up here. Cold I can tolerate, but the darkness, that gets old fast.
I have been getting out in the limited light, however, I have not been bring my camera and thus have zero pictures to post. Today I tromped up to Bear Point out in Chugiak. It was a wonderful view, the clouds even cleared so I could see the bigger peaks up the Peter's Creek Valley, but it was getting dark as we hustled down the mountain at 4:00pm. Less than a month until things start to get lighter, not darker. One more week of school as well. This is good in that I will be happy to not have to go to my evening class-- but it will also mean a little cramming in anticipation of the final exam. Something I should probably be doing right now.
I have been getting out in the limited light, however, I have not been bring my camera and thus have zero pictures to post. Today I tromped up to Bear Point out in Chugiak. It was a wonderful view, the clouds even cleared so I could see the bigger peaks up the Peter's Creek Valley, but it was getting dark as we hustled down the mountain at 4:00pm. Less than a month until things start to get lighter, not darker. One more week of school as well. This is good in that I will be happy to not have to go to my evening class-- but it will also mean a little cramming in anticipation of the final exam. Something I should probably be doing right now.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Life of Laura
It has been quite awhile since I posted. I am back to work, taking a class at UAA and just generally in a fairly mundane daily routine. Today I have a few minutes to write-- as it is my day off, and I am sick. Fortunately not too sick though, I think I should be feeling pretty well again after a day or two.
We are having a bizarre fall so far. September was chilly and we saw lots of snow in the mountains quite early. Then the last few days have been warm and all of that snow melted! Lots of folks are getting antsy about skiing, but it is still early. Although I have to say I do not care much for the darkness coming without snow to brighten things up. Likely more to follow as winter adventures start to occur.
We are having a bizarre fall so far. September was chilly and we saw lots of snow in the mountains quite early. Then the last few days have been warm and all of that snow melted! Lots of folks are getting antsy about skiing, but it is still early. Although I have to say I do not care much for the darkness coming without snow to brighten things up. Likely more to follow as winter adventures start to occur.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
New Dog!
Yesterday, my parents and I headed out to the valley to look for a new dog at the Mat-Su Animal Shelter. We walked a few labs, and settled on the final dog, a small girl, half yellow lab and half golden retriever. Her name is Takona, however, Mom and Dad plan to change her name. We are in the discussion stage, and hopefully will agree on something before too much longer. She seems to be a nice and friendly dog, but with limited experience being out and about. Here are a few pictures of the new loving little girl:
Dad has a new friend
Relaxing in her new home
A close-up
Dad has a new friend
Relaxing in her new home
A close-up
Friday, July 17, 2009
Fourth Weekend 2009
Upon my return to Alaska, early on July 3rd, I repacked and dashed off to celebrate Barry's 70th birthday party at the Johnson cabin on the penninsula. We hiked up Gilpatrick's Mountain and had the pleasure of sharing drinks at Birthday Point with four other British 70 year olds. Who knew there were so many in the area! The fellows are all scout masters in the same area where Barry was once a scout, and came over from the UK to celebrate their 70th birthdays with the trip of a lifetime. The weather was glorious, and we ended our hike with an extremely chilly dip in the creek along the highway.
The view from the trail up Gilpatrick's Mountain
Sam, Sally and Ryan starting down from the summit
All five 70 year old "Badgers"
That evening, Dad and I drove to Seward, where we enjoyed the fireworks at midnight prior to turning in for the evening. The next morning I hiked to the halfway point for the women's race with Tamra, Ryan and Sally. As the racers whizzed by on their way down a real race was developing between Holly and Cedar. We had to piece together the drama unfolding below us through a series of radio reports and phone calls to determine that Cedar had cruised to victory, and Holly had to make a pit stop in the ER-- conveniently located at the base of the mountain.
4th of July fireworks in Seward
Holly and Cedar blazing up Mt. Marathon
Kristy hot-footing it down
We carried on to the top, where the sun was shining and it felt so wonderful to relax in the grass and enjoy the sweeping views of Resurrection Bay below us. After resting a bit, we scrambled down to the base of the cliff and whipped through a few of Ryan's GRE vocabulary words, while waiting for the men's race to begin. Again, we were in the dark regarding the conclusion of the men's race, as from the top of the cliff Brent held a seemingly insurmountable lead. Even those who saw Brent fly by at the bottom of the cliff had no idea that he would only moments later collapse into unconsciousness for four hours. I have to say I am simultaneously impressed and appalled at Brent's amazing ability to push his body to near death in less than 45 minutes!
Ryan and Sally atop Mt. Marathon
An intense Brent makes his way up the mountain
After the races wrapped up, Jenna, Kristy, Tamra, Dad and I set sail. We enjoyed a light sail upwind towards Thumb Cove. We ravenously consumed pizza and beer on our trip, and were amazingly treated to a delicious dessert of rhubarb crust and ice cream-- always a treat to have the DeYong's on board. After anchoring up, we went ashore and played with fireworks, that Tamra had imported (presumably illegally) from France.
Enjoying tasty treats on our sail out to Thumb Cove
Sparklers!
The morning brought a very stiff breeze and a lively sail back into Seward. We cleaned up, ate burritos and drove back in to Anchorage. What a weekend!
The view from the trail up Gilpatrick's Mountain
Sam, Sally and Ryan starting down from the summit
All five 70 year old "Badgers"
That evening, Dad and I drove to Seward, where we enjoyed the fireworks at midnight prior to turning in for the evening. The next morning I hiked to the halfway point for the women's race with Tamra, Ryan and Sally. As the racers whizzed by on their way down a real race was developing between Holly and Cedar. We had to piece together the drama unfolding below us through a series of radio reports and phone calls to determine that Cedar had cruised to victory, and Holly had to make a pit stop in the ER-- conveniently located at the base of the mountain.
4th of July fireworks in Seward
Holly and Cedar blazing up Mt. Marathon
Kristy hot-footing it down
We carried on to the top, where the sun was shining and it felt so wonderful to relax in the grass and enjoy the sweeping views of Resurrection Bay below us. After resting a bit, we scrambled down to the base of the cliff and whipped through a few of Ryan's GRE vocabulary words, while waiting for the men's race to begin. Again, we were in the dark regarding the conclusion of the men's race, as from the top of the cliff Brent held a seemingly insurmountable lead. Even those who saw Brent fly by at the bottom of the cliff had no idea that he would only moments later collapse into unconsciousness for four hours. I have to say I am simultaneously impressed and appalled at Brent's amazing ability to push his body to near death in less than 45 minutes!
Ryan and Sally atop Mt. Marathon
An intense Brent makes his way up the mountain
After the races wrapped up, Jenna, Kristy, Tamra, Dad and I set sail. We enjoyed a light sail upwind towards Thumb Cove. We ravenously consumed pizza and beer on our trip, and were amazingly treated to a delicious dessert of rhubarb crust and ice cream-- always a treat to have the DeYong's on board. After anchoring up, we went ashore and played with fireworks, that Tamra had imported (presumably illegally) from France.
Enjoying tasty treats on our sail out to Thumb Cove
Sparklers!
The morning brought a very stiff breeze and a lively sail back into Seward. We cleaned up, ate burritos and drove back in to Anchorage. What a weekend!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Quick Trip South
The sailing adventure was cut short for a quick trip south to Vancouver, Washington, to be with my ailing grandfather. His recovery was nothing short of miraculous and I enjoyed my time visiting with many family members.
With Grandpa, right before he was released from the hospital.
Checking out cousin Ryan's volunteer firefighter gig
Mom, Aunt Lynnie and cousin Dave, fresh out of Walter Reed
With Grandpa, right before he was released from the hospital.
Checking out cousin Ryan's volunteer firefighter gig
Mom, Aunt Lynnie and cousin Dave, fresh out of Walter Reed
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