Sometimes you can hear a river here.

I just read this at NYTimes.com about being "connected" while out on the big rocks, and it made me think of 2 specific bouldering experiences. The first was in Rocky Mountain National Park when my friend pulled an iPod and some speakers out of her pack to play music while we were bouldering in Chaos Canyon. "Really?" I thought and said out loud. "Yes," was the response. Techno at 10,000'. Great.

The second time was in Little Cottonwood Canyon at the Riverside boulder, which, as the name suggests, is next to the river. There were some guys there with a stereo playing as they attempted to climb.

People are going to do what they're going to do. I think it's fine to tweet away, especially if it can make the situation safer. As far as audio goes, though, there's a reason why headphones were invented.

Get Stoked (or at least out the door)

I read this on Andrea North's Fast Running blog and am posting it, so I can reread it often.

JOSH COX: If we only did things when we felt like it, we wouldn’t be very good at anything. I love running, writing, announcing on TV, and connecting with folks via social media but I don’t love them all the time. The professional world is competitive, no matter your discipline. Doing something only when you “feel like it” is a guaranteed formula for failure. Passion isn’t enough, talent isn’t enough; you have to commit to putting in the work. Somewhere, there’s someone just as passionate and talented as you that’s willing to hone their craft daily – they’ll beat you on game day. Pursue your passion and be willing to put in the painstaking work it takes to succeed. Lots of folks want success without sacrifice but life doesn’t work that way. Marathon running is a great metaphor for life because in order to succeed you have to make daily deposits over a long period of time. I’m a part of the Mammoth Track Club, our training group rivals any on the planet. We meet every morning at 8:30 and in the afternoons for gym work. Surrounding yourself with others who are working towards a common goal pays huge dividends and provides accountability. Even still, there are many days I don’t feel like getting out the door. Something that renowned children’s author Madeline L’Engle said has always stuck with me, “Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.” I’ve found this true in just about every area of life. In running, inspiration rarely finds you on the couch; it likes to wait around the first corner. On days when I’m having trouble getting motivated, I shut my mind off, get dressed, lace ‘em up, and get out the door. It’s not inspiration’s job to come find us, it’s our job to go find inspiration. The key to training, and life, is taking that first step. The first step is the best step; it’s where intent meets action. Don’t talk about it; be about it. When you don’t feel like doing what you know needs to be done, take the variable of “the choice” out of the equation. Shut the mind off and just begin.

HERE is a link to a video about the "being-stoked" epidemic, poached from him poached from him. I've been thinking about this video lately when I'm not feeling psyched or stoked.

Oktoberfast 5k

Ashley and I ran the Oktoberfast 5k at the Highland High track this morning. Jake and Andrea put on this little track meet before their 1/2 marathon in Long Bach next weekend in order to, according to Andrea, make "half marathon pace feel easy next weekend."

I was psyched to be running again after 3 days off because my back was acting up after 14 miles on the road last Saturday. As usual, I went out too fast. But, I stuck it out with no back problems to finish second-to-last guy in 19:01, which is an "at-elevation" PR.

It was a fun morning. Thanks to Jake and Andrea for putting it together. Several people got 5k prs today, including Ashley and Andrea. It looks like they'll be doing it again on October 29. Check Jake's Fast Running blog for details as the date approaches.

All of the pictures are from Jake. You can see more HERE.