RUN, BIKE, HIKE & RODEO

Ketcum, ID - I ran the Sawtooth Relay and then slept for 14 hours for the three nights following. I did the Wood River Cup short-track mountain bike race and then slept for 13 hours and woke with a cough. I went to the Mackay Rodeo and danced all night long with cowboys before promptly taking a 5-hour nap followed by a full night's sleep...

Sawtooth Relay, Team Heaven and Heli

I am clearly not listening to the obvious signs that my body is still under the weather but it is finally spring and there are so many fun things to do! I am going in for more blood work today to see if maybe I still have mono (since January) and booking a flight home, to sea-level, for some un-distracted R&R.

Enjoying the sun at the top of Dragon's Back, Ketchum

Pio Cabin - should have brought my skis

STILL SNOW[ING]

Ketchum, ID - I tried to hike to Pioneer Cabin last week without luck. After struggling across the first snow-field, sinking up past my bare knees and keeping an eye on the dark clouds rolling ever closer, I called it a hike.

The final view on that jaunt is incredible and I was disappointed that I was unable to share it with my visiting friend. There is plenty to enjoy in the valley, regardless of the new snow in the mountains. Check here for the latest trail updates in the Wood River Valley.

Whoville from Dollar's backside

I competed in last weeks Wood River Cup, short-track mountain bike race but lost track of time this afternoon and have missed this evening's adventure. I will have to catch the train again next week. The Sawtooth Relay is coming up Saturday and my first leg, including 1,331" elevation gain over 5.35 miles, should be killer (hopefully not literally). Ending at 8,701" ain't no thang... right?

Last night's dinner included the first harvest of lettuce from my garden (Ketchum) so spring has sprung, regardless of the continued rain.

Living it up, Kate

T-SHIRTS & 5Ks!

Hailey, ID - Girls on the run had their final 5k race today. They endured the wind and the cold with sporadic precipitation that ranged from sleet and snow to rain, interspersed with blasts of sun! Great job to all who participated - way to complete a great goal!

In other news, I continue to work with the 5th graders in Brad Stansberry's class at Hemingway Elementary. Last week brought ITA shirts to the entire gang. Always taking the opportunity to ham it up in front of the camera, proceed below for images from the past week.

A bit of logo posing

Pretty girls...

...and tough boys.

Hands in the air for "happy hair"

There always has to be a silly picture!

Adorned with "happy hair" from Goodie

Girls get beads for every kilometer they complete!

Although it is actually snowing outside, they say that spring is here (or was). Regardless, I have a bunch of fun stuff planned for this year so stay tuned. A potential weekly 5k, adventure races and training groups. Stay tuned and stay warm, burrrrr!

ELK

Spring means lots of change. Flowers grow, we clean out our junk and have yard sales and SOME people, who hunt, give away their 2008 elk to make room for the 2010!

One persons left overs are my lunch for the next 2 months. Nice. When I lived in Maine, at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle, people use to drop food off to us. The pro athletes had been adopted by the community and we would come home from a 6 hour hike to find 50 lbs of potatoes on our doorstep, or a gallon of peanut butter. It was awesome. The Star City knew how to embrace it's athletes!

It has been 4 years since I have lived in Maine, but on my visit to Montana last week I was the grateful recipient of some elk burger meat. The stuff is so lean that you have to add an egg if you want it to be a paddy! So far I have made elk goulash with shepherd's pie on the to-do list for today.

Thank you to all who have supported me over the years. Mike and Jan, thank you for Saturday night! I am a lucky girl to have people who care for me.

Talking at Career Day, Potomac, MT 7th grade

APRIL

Ketchum, ID - If spring has sprung, and my flowers are in bloom, then why is there snow in the forecast? Regardless of the weather, the town feels the season change and is gearing up for the next sport.

For me, spring means mountain biking, trail running, swimming and strength training. I ride for a local woman's team, Mud Honey and the trails are already clear down in Hailey! For a full report of local trail conditions for riding and running, check here.

More on my mind and lots of cool stuff starting up here in Idaho so stay tuned. Girls on the Run is in full swing and practicing for our 5k that will occur on May 22nd so mark your calendars for that one!

Tuesday Night Rain/Snow Likely Lo 27 °F

Wednesday Chance Rain/Snow Hi 42 °F

Wednesday Night Chance Snow Lo 20 °F

Thursday Chance Rain/Snow Hi 41 °F

Thursday Night Chance Snow Lo 24 °F

The frightful fate of my tulips and hyacinth