The Big 4-0

Well, I am now the big 4-0! Not sure what all the commotion is about though. Maybe when I turn 50 it will be more of a shock. When people have asked what it felt like to be 40 my answer has been- "Just puts me in a new age group for races."
I had a great day of a solid breakfast, visit with my mommy and a night out with my wife. She surprised me with dinner at Joe's Crab Shack followed by an RSL game (which they won 2-0) then a night up in Park City. Fantastic day for sure.
Didn't do anything EPIC like I wanted but oh well. I guess having a shoulder in a sling really limits what an old man can do....

Shoulder Follow up

Well, got back from the Orthopedic and no surgery is needed...whew! I suffered a mild shoulder separation and a Grade II injury to the AC joint as well as trauma to the meniscus. I go back in 4 weeks to make sure the meniscus starts to heal properly. In the meantime I am out for 2 more weeks with no running so I need to get my road bike on the trainer in the basement. I was told I should feel pain for at least 6 weeks though....great. The ETA to resume running in the 24th of July which gives me 6 weeks until the Wasatch 100. Not sure how that will go but I guess we will find out.

Appointment with the Ortho

So for the week after Western States I was able to get some decent running in. Did a few nice shorter runs before a group of 8 decided to head up to Ben Lomond Peak for the first time this year. The west facing slope looks good but we knew there was still lots of snow to be had. We all met bright and early Sunday morning and headed up. It was pretty uneventful with a few small snow patches then as we were running we heard an all too familiar noise......

                              Mr. Great Basin Rattler

After seeing this fella we were on full alert! Less than a mile later Curtis made another discovery..

                                                                       Mr. Rubber Boa

The run was getting very exciting with the animals ..errr....snakes. I do not like snakes and I really really really do not like the kind that rattle and bite. A few more miles and we were interrupted by a low hovering helicopter which was up there looking at the mountain goats. Our fear was by the time we got to those they would be gone and scattered but when we reached the saddle before the Peak, we saw about 30 scattered across the mountain side. Our first trip to the peak was was becoming more and more memorable.

                                                                Our goal off in the distance- 9800'

As we left the saddle and started the grind to the top it became very apparent that it was going to take some serious hiking to get through all the snow. After about 400+' of slogging up the snow we got to the ridge and took the rocks to the top.

                                                                       Almost there....

Once at the top we stood around a snapped some nice photos before we would head back down.

                                                 Proof I made it ...whew!

Now the fun begins. The first 3 decided to go down on there back sides and sled to the bottom of the snow field. I was next and decided to get in some glissading. I have done it a thousand times but today was a little different. About half way down I was gaining speed and getting wobbly so I thought I better fall back on my butt to finish the decent. Well, a second can make a huge difference- instead of falling on my ass, I TOMAHAWK CHOPPED! Head and shoulder first plunged into the snow and it was an all out yard sale. I dropped the video camera (I got this on tape) and my hat came off. After I slowly slid to a stop, I hiked back up to grab my camera and hat and finish the rest on my butt.
Apparently I hit hard enough to separate my shoulder. Damn, that hurt. Running 7+ slow miles to the car and my head was filled with thoughts and ways to tolerate the pain.
There is an appointment scheduled with an Ortho on Wednesday and I get to see the extent of the damage. Asked it I would glissade again, I replied..."oh ya!". After all ....stuff happens.
Details to follow but in the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best. I will try and post my video. I got it up on facebook for now....