Pulling the Plug

Mountain Biking Mt Hood. Still Creek Road/Pioneer Bridle Trail

Made a tough decision about three weeks ago, and I'm finally getting around to writing about it. Decided to pull the plug on running Waldo 100k this year and make a substantial donation to the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol. My body just hasnt been holding up since Sun Mountain and even before that. in the end, I concluded that rather than pushing through injuries and running the risk of hurting myself more seriously and ruin the remainder of the summer, I'd call it quits now, regroup and come back stronger in a few months.

Injury list so far this year:

1. Strained left hamstring
2. Posterior Tibial Inflammation/Strain right foot/ankle
3. Peroneal Tendon Strain left foot (Originally diagnosed as a potential stress fracture)
4. Some sort of tendon inflammation, inside/center right knee

This is all since about March 1st.

I've wanted to run Waldo since I began running ultras almost 2 years ago. Its a great event and an Oregon classic. AND this year the Western States Winner, Timothy Olson and the Hardrock winner, Hal Koerner, are running the race!! The best of the best will be there. Both Ashland boys. Both in top form. Both familiar with the course and both aiming to bring down the CR.

But alas, this is not the year for me. Slight set back, but the race isnt going anywhere. Just got to stay on top of the registration next year.

The future....

Thinking about running Mt. Spokane 50k, Orcas Island 50k, and other exciting adventures like circumnavigating Mt. St. Helens, bikepacking trip either the Deschutes River Trail or Klickitat River Trail or North Umpqua River Trail or Barlow Rd (Mt. Hood), kayak camping, fly fishing, whitewater kayaking, backpacking trip. ride my road bike to the beach, Crown-Zellerbach trail, climb a down, snowshoe, ski more, winter camping, brewing tasty beer. Lots of options. Lots of time.

So in the mean time, Ive done some of these things...

Kerrie tearing down Leif Erikson Dr!

Kerrie's first time fishing and she got the hang of it pretty quick, minus losing two lures...

Trying a little fly fishing. It was probably like 85 degree. Didnt need waders, but wanted to try them out. Lifejacket so I didnt get swamped and float away. Cousin's setup. Need my own!

Rogue River. Timeout Ranch

Lovers

Glacier National Park

The big family trip for this year was a mini family reunion in Glacier National Park courtesy of my grandparents. They rented us a log mansion with Glacier Raft Co and got us overnight tickets via Amtrak. Big Thanks to the grandparents.

Over the course of the trip, we hiked, rafted, fished, sight saw, drove, chased wildlife, drank local brews, played games, ate great food, played lawn games, trained, ran and had a wonderful time. '

Given the lateness of this post since the trip was almost 3 weeks ago. Big things happening since then. Ill let the photos speak for themselves.

Avalanche Lake

Walk in the Cedars

Mullaney Sibs

Crucial Fishing Equipment

Rafting Crew

Our Log Mansion

Mullaneys trying our hands at a little fly fishing. No it wasnt raining. Lauren is a mosquito magnet tho. One of the reasons we like to keep her around :)

I was having problems with my iPhone taking clean pictures due to the HDR setting. Didnt realize it till later. But fireside chats with the Feldmann crew

Beginning the Road to the Sun

Was pretty cloudy on our drive up unfortunately, but we made the best of it when we could.

Uncle J

Photo Line Up. Must have been a good shot.

Wasnt that far down...

Weeping Wall

Logan Pass. Megan on the left and Lauren on the right

St. Marys Lake

Grizzly Bear! Caused a Bear jam with this one

Another Awesome Pano. Looking back towards St. Marys Lake

The Khaki Caravan

Saw two grizzlies jump across the highway right in front of us. So my dad pulled off the road and chased them down a ways. Here is the momma bear. She didnt take kindly to our presence so after she got on her hind legs, we let them be. Doesnt look like it here. But they were BIG!!

Trick Falls. One waterfall over another one. Only waterfall like this I've ever seen. Pretty amazing. Lauren and my dad climbed around to the top right above the falls. 

Just after I saw a black bear in the bushes. Really close and really cool.

My sleeping accommodations for the trip. 32 degree bag was way to warm. Too bad Kerrie took the 40 degree bag.

Coming into Strawberry Lake after running to the top. Altitude kicked my ass. Not a good sign. Megan was only a minute behind me.

Victory Dips. Dad and Megan

Bryan and Lauren