Animal Athletics Blog
Mt. Hood at last!
This past Sunday I finally made it up to the top of Mt. Hood! I had attempted the summit via the South Side Route once before but when my partner took a little tumble and banged himself up we (of course) decided to head down. Then there were a few ski trips, skinning up to Palmer, Illumination Saddle, a few times from Government Camp to add some elevation gain…but never the summit. Looking at the peak from Portland, from down the block, taunted me. I’ve climbed peaks in many different countries and all over the States but hadn’t done the one in my own backyard…not ok with me. I’m guiding a friend up the South Side soon so I had to do some recon. I headed up alone, leaving the car at a little before 7, and forced … Read the Rest.
This Week in Racing (May 13th to May 19th)
Last weekend (May 11th and 12th) we had some fantastic finishes down in the Corvalis area of Oregon at the McDonald Forest 50k Congrats to all Animal Athletes at the Portland Trail Series as well! This weekend we have a couple women running the Rock and Roll Half Marathon! Good luck to: Taya Campagna and Valencia West! Go get ‘em, ladies ! ! ! & at the Sun Mountain 50-miler: Samantha de la Vega and Gregory Gourdet are tackling their first 50….Be strong both of you! We’ll be thinking of you!!! Did we forget you? Did you race, or are you racing this weekend? Send your information to us at: AnimalAthleticsPDX@gmail.com Have a great weekend, everyone!
GPS Watches, Crowded Trails, & Minimalist Shoes
GPS watches, crowded trails, & minimalist shoes. What do these three things have in common? Not much really; but these are a few things that came to my mind while out on a long run recently. Any time you get runners together you are likely to have one of the three aforementioned topics come up. Also, as the weather is getting warmer and more people are hitting the forests and mountain trails I thought I would throw out a few “reminders”. GPS Watches I know companies like Garmin and Suunto are always coming up with new gadgets that look more sleek and claim to have more accuracy, functions, bells & whistles. I’ll admit I have a Garmin 305 and I think it is a good tool to have for certain things. The main point that I want to get across … Read the Rest.
This Week in Racing (May 4th to May 12th)
We have decided that since we have so many people racing (all over the world!) that we are going to update our blog (and Facebook/Twitter) every week with who ran, and who is going to run! So let’s start it off! If you raced last weekend (May 4th or 5th), or are racing this coming weekend (May 11th or 12th) and want to be recognized send us your information (race/distance, your time/placement (optional), photo w/ your cool Animal Athletics shirt on or not!, etc. etc.) Send your info to : AnimalAthleticsPDX@gmail.com Last weekend (May 4th) there were a lot of folks that headed down to the Marin Headlands to race Miwok 100k (which got shortened to 60k due to fire danger). Here are a few photos of some of the “Animals” rocking the tough course! “On Tap” for this … Read the Rest.
Making Dreams into Reality
May 1st, 2013… Happy Anniversary to us! Animal Athletics is one-year old! We are absolutely thrilled to be doing what we’re doing! It’s a pleasure to be cultivating a delightful group of clients and friends and expanding the amazing trail running and outdoor sports community in Portland, Oregon. It has been one year to this very day since we officially began and it’s been a true adventure every step of the way, which of course, being ultra runners, we love! We’ve learned so many new things and take much pleasure in seeing Animal Athletics continue to grow and evolve and be molded and shaped by the people who comprise it….(that means YOU!) We feel incredibly fortunate. Fortunate to live in such a wonderful city with so many breathtaking places to play and explore, fortunate to get to work with and … Read the Rest.
“The Track Meet Trifecta!”
Racing has been a constant in my life the past several years. Some of the events are used more as training races, where I don’t taper and just use them as long runs, and others I go in a little more tapered and rested. The following three competitive ultras happened within a pretty short amount of time, and I feel very satisfied and content with my performances as I build towards Western States 100 on June 29, 2013. I also want to thank my sponsors (Inov-8, Udo’s Oil, Drymax Socks, Dave’s Killer Bread, Cheribundi, Haeleum, the Float Shoppe) that really help me remain healthy, strong, and in some quality gear for doing what I love! OK…As many of you know the sport of ultra running is changing so much that every race seems to be getting quicker times, and it seems like a “sprint” the … Read the Rest.
A Grand, Canyon Adventure
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to travel down to the great southwest desert lands and play in the Grandest of Canyons, running and hiking the Rim to Rim to Rim (among other trails) with two wonderful people, Tony Barbero and Tirso Rojas. We had the privilege of spending 4 full days camped on the South Rim, exploring, eating, drinking beer and watching March Madness at night, trying to avoid the crowds. Over the 4 days I logged 74 glorious miles under blue skies and desert sun, breathing the air at 7,000′. Of course, although the Grand Canyon and its trails are incomparable and simply stunning, it was the people who really made the trip so special: Tony and Tirso and all the others we met along the way. We met Craig Spivey on the trail and he offered … Read the Rest.
Head in the Clouds
On Saturday, March 16th the Animal Athletics crew hosted another “Community Adventure,” our second of three snowshoeing trips for the winter/spring. The plan was to head out to the Coast Range to climb Kings Mountain in the Tillamook State Forest but warm temps and dwindling snow levels made us reconsider. We decided to head to the Mt. Hood area for more snow and reliably wintry conditions. I’d been up Tom, Dick, & Harry Mountain the week before so I was familiar with the route and knew it would be a perfect and fun, but not too challenging, half-day adventure. Indeed, it was awesome. We had a great, small group of bad-ass folks tough enough to brave the elements and get up early on a Saturday just for the fun of it. We made a loop starting and ending at Ski-Bowl … Read the Rest.
A Bluebird Day…
Here are some pictures from last Saturday’s glorious tour of Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain (5,066 ft.) with David “Great Blue” Herron. As we skinned our way up and breathed the fresh early morning air we marveled at how lucky we were to have our health, to live where we do, to have jobs and cars, and to be able to enjoy such a stunning day in nature. It was just one of those days that is too good to be true, like diving into summer in the winter time, blinded by blue and kissed by the sun. Don’t forget to get out there and get after it! (We’re always adventuring so if you want to head to the hills just let us know…) Enjoy! … Read the Rest.
The Sting of the Yellowjacket
This past Sunday, February 24th a group of brave Animals loaded into to a couple cars and headed up into the cold white world of the snowy Mt. Hood winter wilderness. The 2-3 ft. of fresh powder didn’t stop us and so we bravely forged ahead on the 6 mile Yellowjacket trail, starting at Timberline Rd. & Highway 26 and traveling east to the White-River Sno-Park. There were many challenges: creek crossings, precarious snow-bridges and myriad obstacles, good climbs and descents, all in the aforementioned leg and lung-burning deep, new snow. We pushed on through the tough parts, worked well and supported each other as a team, and finally made it to our destination, under the shining peak of Mt. Hood itself! A great day and an even better reminder to get out there and enjoy it whenever we’re able. … Read the Rest.