Running...snowboarding....kayaking

Hola!! Only a few more days until I leave for Costa Rica and I am so excited!!! After flipping out at work and with people in general lately I desperatley need a vacation!

Last weekend I spent Saturday night up in Breckenridge and hung out with a group of 22 years olds. I met a friend of mine Jon who rafted for my westwater permit and in turn hung out with a group of his friends. Jon is a exceptionally good rafter, kayker and snowboarder, but he's definitley still in his 20's. Wow, I drank more alchohol that night than I have in a long long time!
It was fun to go out in Breck since I've never had a chance to explore any nightlife (but will this year)! I think I might try to avoid the hangover though..

Sunday after I got some OJ in me and my head stopped feeling like it was going to EXPLODE,I met my friend Kim and her boyfriend up at Arapahoe Basin ski area. It's the only hill open this early in the season. Everything else opens in the next few weeks, but I wanted to get a turn on the hill to make sure I remembered how to snowboard :) It was really busy of course, the snow was man made and slushy, the lift lines were long and never seemed to move, and only two runs on the whole mtn open for all these people! It was a gorgeous day, sunny and warm so I can't complain too much. The two runs open were Blue runs (intermediate) and the place had posted all over that no beginner runs were available, but beginners that day apparently couldn't read. I had one who was obviously trying to keep her balance while going at snails speed and while I was turning to avoid her, she turned right into me while screaming BEGINNER...WATCH OUT! We collided...pretty hard. Her rent a board took a chunk out mine. Then on the second run, a beginner behind me couldn't stop and slammed into me, which forced all the snow he was scrapping off the hill into my jacket! That also left a nice scratch on my board as well. I made one more run dodging every wobbly person I could spot and then headed home. It was worth it to get on my board again, but not worth to stay any longer! too many people trying to cram onto one lift and the 1.5 short runs that were open.

My week now is packing for Costa Rica. I'm taking my boat with me, which will be an experience in and of itself! I have one large dry bag which I have to pack my paddle gear (life jacket, helmet, spray skirt etc), and then layer in my clothes and personal items. That's it...that's all I can take! I have a feeling we're all going to be a bit stinky on the return flight home...between smelling like the river/rainforest and having only one or two sets of clothes for a week, it's a guarantee'd stink fest!! I can't wait!!!

I've still been running everyday which I've gotten better at but I'm a little bit stuck right now. I can't seem to push myself enough on my own. I have lost about 7 lbs in the last month though from all the running and I can see my body change shape...I love that!!! When I get back from my trip I'm going to start switching it up more and get in the pool and hopefully ride around on my bike a few times before the snow falls. I need to figure out how to eat, to support the running and everything else. I can tell if I haven't had much that day that I just poop out after the 1st 30 mins. The second 30 - 45 mins is painful, forced and I can tell I'm all tensed up in my shoulders. I'm not hungry at all lately which makes me forget sometimes to get some fuel for running later in the day. Anyway, I need to read up on that a little more and make some adjustments.

I'll post some pictures when I get back! Pura Vida!!!

boating and updates

this is going to be really short... Just got off of my 15 person permit on Westwater (co/utah boarder class III/IV). Lots of drama and rapids and swims. Will update later.

Here's a little video that makes me laugh hysterically! Rafting guides from West Virginia...the Gaulley is some gnarly stuff...class V carnage...classic!! The first time I watched I kept putting my hands of my eyes...screaming at the screen 'NO DON'T GO UNDER THE RAFT....AHHHH BE CAREFUL!'. But I've had bad experiences ..namely the times I've gotten too close to a raft while in my kayak and gotten sucked under it. PANIC! But these guys are a hoot! I've mentioned holes a couple of times in previous posts and these show what holes can do...to rafts...and one of the first clips is of a kayakers going through a big ol hole. Fun stuff man!!

Enjoy....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4975456070922767135&hl=en