When nothing but the summit will do.

200s

2010-01-24T18:29:00.001-08:00

Compare to last year's JV 1600m

Videos of our runs up Colorado 14ers...

2009-07-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

Again I have had too much trouble with TeacherTube to upload my videos there. They have been uploaded, but getting them to play has been erratic. Here is a video library of all 3 videos:

Ham Radio Contacts 7-15-09

2009-07-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

CQ CQ CQ de KT5X/p K

Wednesday we drove the XTerra Off-Road high into the mountains above Leadville, CO. The forest access road might reject lesser vehicles, sending them back with a holed oil pan or broken suspension, the XTerra didn't notice any difficulty.

We parked about 12,600ft elevation. We raised the DK9SQ mast with a G5RV antenna, connected the Elecraft K2, and went for it.

Conditions were poor, however we worked stations in IA, MN, IL, MI, and NC, including one FOC club member, Jack, W0UCE. All were excellent copy here on loud speaker. Several Jeeps passed by and didn't know what to make of the Morse breaking the silence of the mountains.

After packing up we went fly fishing.

73, FD KT5X/p

Mt. Elbert in 70+ mph winds

2009-07-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

At around 7:30, we headed into the mountains intent on summiting Mt. Elbert. First we hit a stream and Dad honored the mountain with a little mud and then we navigated the newly made trail. A dusty affair but easily marked, we ascended quickly. Compared to Yale, this trail is less steep and well marked. But still... plenty steep!

When we hit timberline, the wind began to kick up. Another 2 miles and we were faced with winds easily exceeding 70 MPH. Calvin and I were not prepared to deal with this kind of wind chill and decided to turn back... Dad persisted and made it to the top where he reported the winds as so strong, he could barely stand up!

We waited at treeline for Dad's safe return which was a welcome sight...

Videos from Mt Yale and Mt Elbert are being loaded now as we enjoy dinner at Benson's in Salida...

Video of ascent of Mt Harvard

2009-07-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

This is hosted at youtube... tried teachertube, but it failed:

Mt Yale Slide Show

2009-07-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

This morning, we ascended Mt Yale. To quote Dad, "this trail doesn't mince words." Yes, straight into the hill for mile after mile. We were able to run at the peak for the first 2 miles as we made our way through the forest, but once above timber, it was power walking all the way.

We overhauled a number of hikers on the slope and intercepted a youth group at the shoulder. We joined them as we rock-hopped across the ridge to the summit only finding ourselves hung out over a granite cliff once along the way (word to the wise, the trail is along the south face of the ridge [;-). Dad took some photos which I have embedded here.

We tried cell service to do a live broadcast but were unable to get enough signal strength. There was just enough signal to send a text message or a choppy call. We stayed for about 30 minutes and then descended like perverbial bats from you know where...

Mt Harvard Slide Show

2009-07-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

So we did not have any wifi access yesterday so we could not post these slides until today. We are staying at the historic Delaware Hotel in Leadville.

Mt Coumbia becomes Mt Harvard

2009-07-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

So we intended to ascend Mt Columbia this morning as we headed into the wilderness armed with water, energy bars, cell phones, flip video camera, digital camera and EeePC... but no signs indicated a turn to Columbia and we found ourselves drifting up valley much further back in and finally faced Mt Harvard.

Well, no worries mate! Mt. Harvard is only taller and further away than Columbia, so let's go anyway. Along the route we found some mountain goat fur left from when the locals bedded down for the night. Cal wondered if maybe next year we could come back and look for more... I suggested that such a find is akin to catching a fly ball in a major league baseball park.

We summitted and attempted the live video stream. Cal had already sent some tweets (adistar756) and I let my twitter friends know I was about to broadcast. Embedded below is a recording of the first ustream video... awful in fact, but a gallant attempt. I need to figure out how to adjust the white balance because the sun was SO bright up there... but I could not read the screen to deal with the problem.

So, here is the ustream.tv feed. I am preparing a video from the flip and I have slide show to upload into picasa... so check back in a few and you can see some better images of our 7 hour escapade.

Mt. Columbia Monday

2009-07-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Buena Vista
We have arrived in Buena Vista and are staying at the Arkansas River Retreat and have prepared our ascent for tomorrow. Our drive up was eventful... horses loose on the highway, deer wandering into harms way, plenty of good food, and scenery that takes the breath away... even from a long time Colorado resident.

We depart from the Mt. Columbia trailhead at 7 AM. For details on Mt. Columbia, visit that most excellent (and free of any member dues) www.14ers.com.

View Larger Map

The trek begins

2009-07-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe, NM
Having traveled down to my parent's home and attended a friend's wedding in Albuquerque last night, we now set off in quest of 14,000' peaks. Tonight we will be in Buena Vista and will look to make our first ascent in the morning. Dad continues his planning of every detail he can imagine. I am dreaming up inspirational messages to spout on each climb. And Calvin has remarked "I never agreed to this."

So the team is comfortably settling into our roles for the expedition. All tests of my loaner EeePC uses the cellular modem of my phone well and I have done some test broadcasts on ustream.tv. Our equipment is ready (we'll do a video of that on another post). And the road beckons.

One more dose of incomparable Santa Fe chili and we begin our quest north. And so now for my first inspirational quote... the music of "Man of La Mancha" rings in my ears:

Hear me heathens and wizards and servants of sin. All your dastardly doings are past! For a holy endeavor is now to begin. And virtue shall triumph at last! I am I Don Quixote the Lord of La Mancha. My destiny calls and I go! And the wild winds of fortune shall carry me onward. O wither so ever they blow. Wither so ever they blow! Onward to glory I go!

Destination 7AM 7-13-09: Mount Columbia Trail Head Summit by 11AM for a live broadcast.

Dinner in Buena Vista... want to find us? Send Calvin a tweet or post a comment here. Calvin's twitter account is adistar756.

Onward!

Keep tabs on us!

2009-07-07T21:01:00.001-07:00

So next week, we plan to engage in our mountain runs to the tops of 14ners in Colorado... my Dad, my son and I. Three generations of runners ascending some of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the world... and armed with communications and publishing technology.

When: 7-12-09 through 7-17-09

My Dad: Fred Maas, KT5X will transmit via QRP low power Ham Radio.

My son: Calvin Maas, will tweet and Facebook from the summits using his cell phone. Twitter: adistar756 Facebook: Calvin Maas

Me: Dan Maas, will broadcast live ustream.tv using an ASUS EeePC Tablet and cellular modem.

Live Broadcasts are set for 11:00 AM daily on this channel:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/summit-seeking

Now for some serious summit seeking!

Summer Running

2009-05-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

Each summer, I plunge into the Colorado mountains intent on strengthening my body for yet another quest to the top of Pikes Peak in August. Last year, my training was pretty good as I was able to get up into the high altitudes pretty regularly.

My history on the mountain is made available through Matt Carpenter's site at: Dan Maas History on Pikes Peak courtesy of Skyrunner.com

I recall racing Matt back when I was in college and he had recently graduated from CU. I had better luck on the flatter courses [;-) Since then he has certainly mastered the art of mountain running and it is always fun to see him still blazing through the trails.

This summer will be no different, although instead of the Marathon, I'll stick to the Ascent this year. If you look at my previous results, you can tell how sometimes I have failed to prepare and had a much slower performance than other years. But careful study will show that only when I was 22 and still racing competitively internationally have I been able to eclipse my performance at age 13... 3:08.40. In recent years, I've been getting closer to that time again, but still missed it.

So that's the goal for this year... beat my performance from age 13! To do that, my father and son will join me in preparation in the mountains. We will take along some communications technologies with us so we can meetup with people along the way. Look for future posts to explain how to meetup with us on the peaks of Colorado!

Cal wins his first JV race

2009-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Spring track is underway and I can tell because I can feel some mild allergies... just a nuisance, but the signal that things are starting to awake from their winter slumber.

Last week, Cal ran his first JV race in high school. He ran the first lap conservatively and then moved for the front in the second lap. Through most of the third lap he stayed on the leader slipping to take the lead on the backstretch. Driving for home over the last lap he had one pursuer: Austin. Driving down the backstretch Cal opened about 4 meters on Austin and set up a duel down the strait. Both boys sprinted for all they were worth with Austin coming from behind to nip Cal at the tape: 5:15 and change... a new PR for Cal by over 20 seconds. The boys shook hands and took congratulations from the appreciative crowd. "See you next week."

Well, yesterday was "next week" this time on Calvin's home track at Heritage. I tried taking pictures but switched to video (a father should never try to video his own son). So I missed lap 1 in which Cal again opened conservatively in 73 running in about 6th... in this video, Austin and Cal re-engage in the duel that will likely run through the season. We begin on the backstretch of the second lap. Cal is in red and Austin is the second runner in yellow. What fun!

4th Refrain of AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds" made for Racing Royalty

2009-03-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

You're being bugged by a twerp in Track,
He's pushing you around.

You just wanna run, but he gives you smack.
Making you his clown.

Pick up the phone, his doors'll get blown!
My phone number's a must...

I'll visit his track,
He'll watch my back,

He's gonna eat my dust!

Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap!

you know the rest........

do the deed

Reflection on Pikes Peak Marathon

2008-09-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

Well it has been over 3 weeks now since I ran the Pikes Peak Marathon and I'm only now posting some thoughts on it as I get ready for the Colorado Relay.

I was pleased to finish 53rd this year and ran the same ascent time with a loss of about 4 minutes on the descent to run 5:19 compared to my 5:15 three years ago. I do think the performance this time was a bit better as this year we faced off with several inches of snow and I had to carry lots more gear to protect myself from the elements. I carried my camel-back without the water bladder and filled the space instead with a pull over hat, two pairs of gloves, biker sleeves for legs and arms made of lycra, and a water-proof jacket. I also carried 5 gels and 9 ziplocks with gookinaide for energy replacement and hydration.

I ran with Bren for a little while but by the incline aid station, I seemed to have lost him. I wondered if maybe he turned because I know he sometimes has stomach or breathing problems and thse long distance races are not suited for a guy who once ran 1:48 for the 800m... he's a sprinter so Pikes is about 24.5 miles too far. I called out and he replied so I was glad he was OK. I kept pace figuring he might have stopped for a pit stop. At French's (I know the race calls it No Name, but that leaves me cold) I stopped for a gel and finished off a full cup of water. I waited a bit and still no Bren. I thought for sure he must not be feeling well so I headed off... turns out he was just pacing himself and I was underestimating how fast I was going.

My hydration method worked great as I blew through Bob's and got a nice gookinaide hit with nary and pause in the station. By Barr camp, the weather above was closing in and I steadied my pace to be sure to run all the way through to A-frame. I was starting to tire a bit but still had something in the tank to give. At A-frame, I stopped and pulled out my gear: hat, gloves, arm sleeves and rain shell. It took me several minutes to cover up, eat soemthing (gel) and hydrate, but I got going again. For the first time since I was competitive (I think my best Ascent is 2:37), I was able to run for short bursts above A-frame. I'm usually well acclimated enough to run at the altitude, its just that I'm rarely quite prepared for that amount of climbing IN COMBINATION with high altitude. Pikes is always a reach for me.

At cirque, I once again faced severe muscle cramping but unlike in 2005, it was only in the right quad... I think I like to step up with the right to protect an old injury in my left. So there I was moving uphill like Igor: step with the left, drag the right. Into the 16 golden stairs, the cramp let go and I was moving again, but for the rest of the day, I was anxious about cramping as I could feel the memory still hanging in the muscles waiting to trigger again.

At the summit, I took some food and an extra gel and began the descent. The environment was all snow and slush. What had been cold coming up (like 29 degrees cold) got windy and the snow became a bit of sleet that stung my legs as I came down. I sang Aerie by John Denver (completely off key) as a way to honor the mountain and to let runners below me that I'm coming down so we don't collide on the trail.

"Excuse me, but could you please get out of my way" I heard from behind me. Well, she did say please, but I took some tone in her voice: "OK, but I will see you later." She passed by without another word.

Dodging rocks, descending and hopping past people still on ascent I spot Bren. So! He didn't turn, and he's OK...good! Now, onward. Below A-frame my glasses begin fogging beyond support so I take them off and use the force to navigate the trail. I see darker spots and know those are rocks... step between those. Unwilling to break my pace, I slipped the pack around onto my chest and began stripping off the hat, sleeves and gloves, packing them away. I kept the rain jacket because by now it was pouring rain and thunder overhead. Only when I was done did I realize that I had been descending at breakneck speeds without my glasses on while intently looking into my pack to put things away... the force is strong in this one.

Through Barr Camp with yet another hydration success and I closed on the hill leading up to Bob's. This rude section always gets you because you told youself you were done climbing uphill when you reached the summit... nope, here's more... and there was the woman who ordered me out of her way back on top.... walking on that uphill.

"Thought so" I mumbled as I wet by. We met up at the base and shook hands in mutual respect. She was really a fine runner.

Down, down and down and this is the part where I alwyas ask myself why I do this. I'm now counting down the miles hoping against hope that I missed a mile marker and that I'll actually only have 3 miles to go now... nope there's the the 4 mile marker. Dang this is a long way for me.

At long last, the Chariots of Fire music is audible. There's a guy who always stations himself at the exit from Barr trail and plays the theme from the movie all day. It must be maddening for him, but is always motivational for us... we love him for it!

Now the Ruxton avenue incline takes its licks on my screaming quads but I persist on running down at pace. Overhauling a few I finally close on the finish line. Hmm one more guy ahead I might be able to reach. Why not. Driving down, the gap closed and I figured I could slip by in the last 100m... yup, looking good... but then, he pauses and his two kids- no more than 6 years olf- join him heading to the line in te final 100m chute... I can't bring myself to do it and cruise in just behind the happy father. My son sees me do it... hopefully he learned a little something there too.

Cold, soaked to the bone and 5:19 with a good finish. I wait for Bren to get in and he proposes on the course. Cal gets it all on video and you can find it on YouTube. I also waited for Mike to get in and he safely made it home.

All in all, this was the toughest Pikes Peak Marathon I ever ran. The weather was as brutal as it could be without closing the trail. Maybe next time I'll get some nicer weather and maybe I could challenge that 5 hour barrier...

Mt. Sherman

2008-08-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

This peak is about the most accessible peak one can find in Colorado. It's access is from two trailheads that are about 2.5 and 3.5 miles long. We came from the Leadville side and found the trail to be rocky and almost vertical in most places. Great for hill-climbing. Plus we camped at timberline giving us hours at 12,000 feet over the weekend (8-1 through 8-3). In the end, we summited 4 times...

Mt Shavano

2008-07-15T04:49:00.000-07:00

This 14,000 foot peak is located near Salida, Colorado and is accessed by heading toward Monarch Pass. The Angel of Shavano trail takes 4.5 miles to ascend 5,000 feet past a snow field that looks like a great angel from the valley below. Yes, I said 5,000 feet in 4.5 miles. Not exactly a trail full of switchbacks. We added 2 miles along the Colorado trail to make it a 13 mile day and did the round trip in about 6 hours. There was a creek near the base and was a good respite as we used Brendan's water filtration system to drink from the stream. Here are some photos.

We made the blog!

2008-07-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

How nice to be included in the "Running in the Springs" blog
http://www.runninginthesprings.com/2008/07/summer-round-up-12k.html
Calvin, Brendan, Dad and I were standing together and three of us captured some age group awards... the blogger took our picture together which is shown halfway down the page. Cool beans.

So, the next race is Pikes Peak! This weekend, we'll head over to Mt. Shavano for high altitude training.

Trail Roundup

2008-07-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Calvin, Dad, Brendan and I all ran the 12K Summer Roundup in Colorado Springs. The run began down a slope that Bren and I surged to get around some congestion before the trail closed us up. We got free and were running in the top 30 positions the whole way. Bren pulled away from me up the hill but toward the top I was able to close so we could turn together. Down the hill we passed a number of runners before he began to have stomach trouble. I finished in 55:10 with Bren about 1 minute back. On a different day, the roles could easily reverse. I am impressed with how strongly he climbs.

Calvin ran his own race this day, no longer depending on one of us for pacing. I saw him climbing well as I came down the dirt section of the road. Cal finished in 1:09 and won a second place finisher trophy.

Dad ran about a minute slower than last year, but he said he felt faster. His Achilles is not troubling him and he doesn't get out of breath... he needs more muscle strength. I feel the same way.

Well, let's do a fourteener this weekend and work on that! Mt. Shavano, here we come!

Race Results

Photos for Mt Evans

2008-07-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here are links to the SkiPix photos from Mt. Evans Ascent

Calvin, Dad and Dan

Calvin and Dad above 12,000

Dad in pursuit

Mt Evans

2008-06-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

OK, so I haven't been a good daily blogger, but this entry is good for documenting a great day of running with Calvin and Dad. Calvin ascented in 3:17 and Dad was up in 3:26... a 20 minute PR!

Getting creative

2008-02-02T05:59:00.000-08:00

As I awoke to yet another sub-freezing morning, I wandered around in the gloom looking for some sort of hat to wear. While I don't have much trouble running in very cold temperatures in shorts, I prefer to have my ears covered. Failing to find what I needed, I resorted to the laundry basket:

Of course, wearing clothes in ways not originally intended is nothing new for me. Here, my dad and I pioneered the now famous sleeve-into-a-hat technique:

My mother refers to this is as the lobotomy-patient look [;-)

Snowboarding

2008-01-20T17:18:00.001-08:00

For today's exercise, Calvin and I visited Loveland Ski Area to continue our development of snow-boarding. We found the ski area wind-swept and bitter cold. We hit the slopes by 10 and boarded until 2. We took a 30 minute break to eat chili and warm up.

I was excited to develop my toe-side turns today. I have struggled to develop the toe-side and have spent my 5 days of snow-boarding experienceusing heel-side brakes and turns. I've become proficient at heel-side turns leading with either foot, so I can handle most slopes safely. I also had good success dismounting the lifts today only falling twice. I've never had a day where I didn't fall more often than not.

Calvin is doing well with his boarding. Naturally, he is more daring than I am. He hit some jumps today as well as his head [;-)

My proudest moment was when I completed a 180 degree toe-side turn around a hairpin turn.

The funniest piece of boarding is how when you get tired, you just fall down a lot. The legs give out and you're on the ground. When I watched Cal fall four times for no apparent reason, I figured our day was over.

5 AM - 24 Degrees

2008-01-10T04:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Calvin remarked that he was awake at 5 and thought of going for a run. Such a polite young man, he asked if he could get me up to go with him. At his age, I'd have just walked into my dad's room and woken him up. Calvin may be destined to become a great lawyer some day.

So this morning, the alarm went off at 5 and my new weather clock (thanks mom and dad) and reported the outside temperature at 24 degrees. Sure enough, Cal was waiting outside my door. So out we went for about 2.5 miles.

I was recalled to a workout in 1985 when I met up with Peter Graham for a winter-break effort on the track at Santa Fe High. I was bundled in tights, sweatshirts, hat, gloves... Pete showed up in shorts and long-sleeve shirt. He remarked that the temperature at about freezing was not bad compared to Alamosa cold. I swore I wouldn't go there [;-)

But Peter was always someone I admired, so I eventually convinced myself I could run up there. Today, as I stepped into the cold, I just had shorts and a sweatshirt. What I learned from my days in the "land of cool sunshine" is you can stand considerable cold if your chest and ears are warm.

Tomorrow, I'll take a hat.

Schedule of Races

2008-01-03T10:08:00.001-08:00

So after spending several days out of town and out of connectivity, it is good to be home and getting the training going. To properly prepare, I need to establish a schedule of races to punctuate the training regimen. These waypoints will both help me gauge my preparation but also give me something to focus upon.

2-16-08: Chilly Creeks Winter Duathalon 10 mile bike, 4 mile run info@racingunderground.com

6-8-08: Garden of the Gods 10 Miler (Triple-Crown)

6-21-08: Mt. Evans Ascent 14.5 Miles

6-29-08/6-30-08: Watch US Olympic Trials, Eugene, Oregon

7-6-08: Summer Round Up 12K (Triple-Crown)

8-17-08: Pikes Peak Marathon (Triple-Crown)

9-12-08: Colorado Relay

Lee Gulch

2007-12-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

Lee Gulch is a pretty little creek that runs through my neighborhood. Littleton has some great trails that cross at Lee Gulch and both are right by my house. Indeed, my wife chose this house for the kitchen; I chose it for the running trails. I can run for dozens of miles on nothing but manicured trails throughout the South Suburban area.

Today is Christmas as I mentioned in my last post and I went for an easy 3 mile run. In 6 inches of snow, that turned out to be a bit of an effort especially climbing up the hill back to the house. I was so proud of my neighbors as I went for my run at 2:00 PM hoping for the warmest part of the day. For most of my run, I was not breaking new trail; dozens of tracks and ski trails criss-crossed the fresh powder even as the snow continues to fall. No wind, just crisp air and the sound of the creek rushing through its courses. For a suburban neighborhood, this feels pretty exotic.

Testing a hill

2007-12-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I ran about 3 miles to the base of "Jackass Hill" ... OK, but I didn't name the thing. It is the hill near my house that I think would make for decent reps. I paced up it in 4:07 and was AT (or even a bit past AT) to do it. Just one rep, so I'm off the ground.

Today, snow is falling pretty heavy for a white Christmas. "The closest thing to heaven is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow." That song was written for today. A little later, I'll pluge into it for a run, but I don't like running in below freezing weather... it sparks my athsma. I'll watch the day and head out when it is warmer...

Starting from scratch

2007-12-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

Every year, about this time, I've slipped from my trianing habits. Not since I retired from the elite ranks have I trained all year. I don't like running in freezing weather and I don't find it easy to just run... I like goals. So as winter snow rests on my training grounds, I get the itch for a goal. And my favorite goal is immortal Pikes Peak. So... to goal setting:

To start, I should revisit past achievement:

2006 Pikes Peak Ascent in 4:31. Hmm, not so good especially when I remember how I ran that same ascent as a 13 year old in 3:08. My son is 13 now... too bad they don't allow kids under 15 into the race. I admit, I was not at all consistent in my training for this one.
2005 Pikes Peak Marathon in 5:15. Now that was a nice run. I only had one problem that day. I ate some food at Cirque but I think I needed more fluids when I did that... I had about a ten minute stretch there where I had fierce leg cramps. I was all but incapacitated for a while and couldn't even walk three steps without stopping to stretch. With a little more care, I could have clipped another five minutes I bet.
2004 Pikes Peak Marathon in 5:20. Not bad at all. I know I trained pretty well that year; considerably better than the year before. I did have a shut-down above tree-line that I did not have in 2005 because of how I managed my heart rate. By keeping my heart rate in the fat-burning zone in 2005, I was far stronger for the last bit above tree-line.
2003 Pikes Peak Marathon in 5:45. Ouch. I remember that first marathon of my life. I scampered up the first section and then... well, I guess I don't remember much above Barr Camp. Except pain. Still, I ascended en route faster than I ran the Ascent in 2006. The lesson here is obvious. In 2006, I think I ran on most Sundays... otherwise I ran not at all. Never do that again [;-)

I like to set three tiers of goals. Tier 3 is "keep myself honest" and is something that I know I can do if I will just keep focussed. Tier 2 is the 100% personal effort goal and is something I think I can do if I meet Tier 3, I suffer no serious mishaps and give a 100% effort on race-day. Tier 1 is the high hope goal and is something I think I can if I meet Tier 2 and the conditions around me are favorable.

Tier 3 Goal: Run 5 days per week with a long run of over an hour every week. Experiment with nutrition and master heart rate pacing.

Tier 2 Goal: Complete the Pikes Peak Marathon in 5:00.

Tier 1 Goal: Contribute to a team that wins the Open Division of the Colorado Relay while running first leg.

OK, so there it is. The goal setting for 2008. The rest of the posts in this blog will be about my runs, races and experiences.