Alright, so last week was so crazy and exhausting that I’m only now getting to writing about it and expecting that there will be several typos involved (feel free to let me know cause I know you will).  The week went a little something like this:

Saturday morning was the opening event of the Teva Mountain Games’ Ultimate Mountain Challenge, a downriver Kayak sprint in the highest water I have ever seen on Gore Creek.  So high in fact that all water events were canceled the next day, a pedestrian bridge was washed out and a rafter killed just down river from the games.  I swam twice after falling out of my “sit-on-top” kayak (Thanks Alpine Quest Sports!) but was able to get back in and continue on to finish respectably at least.  That is the one time a year that I kayak and I dread every minute, but it is all for a good cause.

Saturday afternoon was my favorite event, the mountain bike race!  After a tough first lap getting stuck behind some slower riders, I was able to make up some time and finish 2nd in my event and put myself in good position to end up on the podium.  Love mountain bike racing and my Specialized Epic Mountain Bike rocked the course.

The evening was spent at dinner with my parents and the family.  Bully Ranch patio was the perfect spot.

Sunday morning.  Up early for the 10k (really a bit longer) Trail Run (more like a speed hike).  Brutal.  Seriously that race has to be the hardest 10k in the country.  Don’t believe me?  Come out next year and try it for yourself!  After a quick soak in the ice bath (learned to love the ice bath), I began to gain some strength back in my legs and felt ready for the next and final event.

Sunday afternoon and the final event of the Mountain Challenge, the road bike time trial.  This is 10 mile race up hill to the end of the old Vail Pass and fueled completely by the fact that it is the last race and an easy coast home when you’re done.  Even with my legs burning I managed to record a decent time and secure 2nd place overall in the race.  Pretty happy about that actually.

Sunday evening I had planned on getting some dinner (again with the fam) and hitting the sack early.  It was not to be.  The river had risen even higher and all of Vail Fire was paged in to help with sand bagging efforts.  Long night of filling sandbags followed by…

…All day Monday was spent placing sandbags along the banks of the swollen Gore Creek in an effort (successful effort) to keep water out of the threatened homes.  It was actually fun working with all the great employees and residents of the Town of Vail.  Such a great community.

Tuesday was actually a bit relaxing, just a quick workout and time with the kiddos.

Wednesday was hot, really hot, especially down in Eagle Ranch were the Eagle Ranch Classic bike race took place.  Thank goodness it was in the evening.  I managed a quick 40 minute swim before heading to Eagle for the race.  Refreshing and a great warm up.  The race felt good and went well.  I race around the dusty 12 mile course in 53 minutes.  Good enough for 5th place.

Thursday was spent teaching at the Vail Fire Academy.  12 hours in the heat with the new recruits.  A valuable exercise in patience.  Good class of guys though.

Friday, the final day of the busy week before it was back to work on the Week end.  A perfect day.  Cool but still sunny.  Took the opportunity for a two and a half hour run up Muddy Pass Road.  Gorgeous run, though I did fill my pockets with discarded beer cans and two golf balls?  Why do people litter?  Seriously.

Tough week but all for a good cause.

Photo Credits go to Scott McClarrinon.