Sunday, July 15, 2012

Back From VT



So far so good!  I have been running easy for 20 miles a week the past few weeks and no problems have surfaced.  Time to start ramping things up in a controlled, steady, methodical, and conservative fashion.  Don’t want to go too crazy yet (can’t wait) and put myself in the same position.  Also, the summer heat is keeping me at bay, along with the extra weight (which is slowly melting off).  My wife likes the extra weight on me, but my running performance doesn’t like the extra pounds.  My Mom even said I was getting too lean, and how good I looked with the extra weight.

I’m still debating with myself if I can be ready for a tough 50 miler this fall.  Only have 3 months to get ready, and considering I’m starting from little to no base, it would be a challenge.  Did I hear challenge!!!  I will see how the next 6 weeks goes, and how fast I can get my fitness back before I jump in. 
Spent the last week in Vermont visiting family, cook-outs, cold brews, and making memories.  Felt great to be back in my small town I grew up in, and spending time with my Mom and family.  I took my son zip lining (The girls didn’t feel good after flying all day) on seven awesome stretches from tree top to tree top under the canopy of the mountain forest.  The zip line ranged from 400 feet to over a thousand feet in length – What a blast.  We also did some rappels as part of the 2.5 hour tour.  There were 9 of us including my brother and sisters.  If in the neighborhood, see Arbortek at Smugglers’ Notch VT.  You won’t be disappointed.  Also check out The Blue Donkey for some awesome pulled pork BBQ sandwich and cold beer in a laid-back atmosphere, after the zip.  Doesn't get any better.


I also took my son hiking up Camel’s Hump (a little over 4,000’ and 3rd highest in VT) and spent a few hours on the summit enjoying the views of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, Mt Mansfield, and the White Mountains of NH.  The trail is well marked and connects with the AT for a short stretch.  The lower section is smooth and easy going, but it gets rocky and steeper as you get closer to the summit.  We took the Monroe trail, connected with the Alpine trail, and then the AT.  We had all day and took our time taking lots of pics along the way, and talked with a lot of other hikers out for a day hike.  It was funny as some of the hikers gave Josh and I advise on taking it easy and keeping an easy pace and we would make it to the summit.  Josh looked at me after and said Dad you could run up this, and then do it a few more times as a good hill repeat training run, and they were giving you advice!!!  I said they were just being nice and I wanted them to know I appreciated their advice and thoughtfulness.   


There were around 20 hikers at the summit enjoying the view and sharing small talk.  I took a pic of a couple from Austin, TX, and the guy had an Ironman shirt on.  We talked a little more and he had done the 50K run while I was doing the 100 mile at Rocky Raccoon in Huntsville, TX.  What a small world.  The hike down was fun and fast, which took half the time as it took to hike up.  We also found the bomber that crashed into the mountain during a WWII training run by a small crew.  Only one crew member survived – Interesting story. 

Josh wants to hike the White Mountains (Presidential Range) of NH next year.  I also want to go back to Camel’s Hump and see how fast I can run up to the summit and back.  Sounds like fun.







Back to reality and the blistering heat of the South.

16 comments:

Char said...

There's some gorgeous scenery there. I love the moss covered tress - they just show how much rain you get. Training sounds like it's coming along well too. Keep up the good work and stay uninjured.

Thomas Bussiere said...

Thanks Char - I will work on that.

Johann said...

Wow, some awesome photos there! I hope you can build up smoothly and still be ready for the 50. It is hard to start again and as we get older the buildup takes longer and longer.

Thomas Bussiere said...

You are right Johann, but if it was easy, everybody would be doing it. I don't recover like I did when younger, just need to be smarter.

Lindsay said...

You two are crazy on the side of a mountain like that!! Reminds me of Grandfather Mtn although I am assuming the VT ones are higher. Pretty cool that the plane is still there (and that people seem to respect it enough to not damage/graffiti it).

Giorgio said...

What a beautiful landscape!
It's easy to see that you're in good shape. Thanks for sharing the report of your adventure.

Thomas Bussiere said...

Thanks Lindsay, and no major paint marks on the wing, but lots of engraved initials (knife blade) that are hard to see from the photo. Hiking and zip line was so much fun.

Giorgio, I always enjoy returning to my home state for family and scenery. Need to be in better shape, and thanks for the positive vibs.

Raina said...

Wow!! That really makes me want to go zip-lining! it is so much fun. We'd like to put a small zipline in for the boys at our place. Looks like you had a great time. Nice rapelling shot too :)
I didn't realize that you have been injured- I need to look at some older posts. Hope the re-building is going well!
Stay cool!

Thomas Bussiere said...

Thanks Raina and the foot feels great so far with no issues. My son wants to put a zip line in the backyard also. A lot of fun. Stay cool won't happen until Oct - Been middle 90s with high humidity. I'm feeling it during my runs.

Jill said...

Wow, what pretty pictures. Everything is so green....very un-Colorado like. I lived in Alabama for a short stretch of time once and yeah, heat in the summer in the South is NOT fun! Hope your training goes will for your 50miler...you know you gotta at least try, right? :)

Thomas Bussiere said...

Bama Girl...Must be a big change from AL to CO. It was for me when I went from living in VT for 19 years to the South. 100 deg today W/humidity. Crazy hot.

You are right about the 50, and it is a tough little course, but hard to refuse if my training goes well.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

How freaking fun!!! I always wanted to do that

Thomas Bussiere said...

BDD _ Tons of fun. Great ride making you want more. Gotta try it.

Thomas Bussiere said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Black Knight said...

Great scenery.
Glad you can run without any problem. I am sure you will be ready for your 50 miles, you know how you can manage yourself to reach the goal.
How many wonderful memories looking at that Navy t-shirt!!!!

Host PPH said...

It looks like a nice place. Specially those trails and the Canopy.