New Challenge

What crossed my mind as an idea for a new challenge has lead way to a plan for that challenge. On my run in Big Bear this past weekend, I ran a trail that took me to Grays Peak. Upon my arrival, I took a picture of this sign and soon my mind began to churn.
Background on the Seven Summits of Big Bear:
Upon Jordon Romero's (youngest person to ever climb Everest) return from climbing Everest, he inspired the challenge in his home town of Big Bear for residents and visitors to climb the seven summits of Big Bear. These trails were organized and researched by Mountain Fitness Center and Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation. The website can be found by clicking here.

My challenge:
To run the Seven Summits of Big Bear in the shortest amount of time. Ideally, I would like to complete them in 24 hours, however, logistically it may not be able to be done since there would be a bit of drive time between some of the trail heads. Therefore, the goal is to set the speed record.

Summits        Elevation Gain      Miles        Peak       
Grays Peak           1170                   6.5          7920
Bertha Peak          1397                  7.0           8201
Gold Mt                1365                  8.5           8235
Delamar Mt           1538                  9.0          8398
Butler Peak           1435                  12.0         8535
Sugarloaf Mt          2552                  10.0         9952
San Gorgonio        4619                  24.0        11499
Totals                  14076                77.0     

When:
Since winter is not to far away, it will have to be within the next two months or summer of 2012. I am shooting for sooner than later.

I will update as plans begin to unfold/come together. 

Race Reports (Part 2)

Nanny Goat's 12, 24 hour and 100 Mile - This race was run on a mile loop around a horse ranch in Riverside, CA. The runner could choose between three race options. A 12 hour, a 24 hour, and the 100 mile race. I had initially chosen to do the 24 hour, however, the day had other plans for me.
I started out feeling great and was running at a fairly quick pace, keeping the leader in sight. The heat of the day started to set in around 11am and I was not hydrating and consuming enough salt like I should have. My shirt was covered in salt from my sweat. Little by little, my calves would begin to cramp with any slight misstep and I tried to increase my fluid and electrolyte intake. Unfortunately, it was not enough and at around 45 miles, my calves would cramp so bad that I was on my tip toes. I kept moving though knowing my crew (wife and boys) would be there soon with pizza and snacks. I made it to 50 miles just as they arrived. I took a seat in the dreaded chair, ate some pizza, drank a soda, drank a bottle of water, and took some more salt tabs. When I had felt like I sat long enough I got up to begin running again, but no go. I retreated to a horse stall, laid down on the hay, and rested. I stayed there about 15 minutes, consumed another bottle of Heed and began to feel better. I got up and felt good enough to continue. I walked the first mile back just to be sure the cramping was gone. After that, I began jogging, then running again. I was amazed what a 25 minute rest did for me. Although, still not feeling 100%, I was back out there! As the night wore on, I developed a blister at about 12am. I stopped, lanced it, put on 2nd Skin, and changed shoes. Good to go, I continued on until about 4am when I hit 100 miles. Knowing I just finished that race in 3rd, I decided to stop. I finished the 100 in 20 hours and 19 minutes. Even though I may have been able to continue on for another 3+ hours, I felt that I had overcome some tough obstacles and learned a real big lesson abut hydration and nutrition. While I did not set out to just compete in the 100, I was really happy with my time considering the extended stops I had to make. Once again, my crew was invaluable.
I need to mention that Skyler ran 19 miles, and Dakota ran 17 miles throughout the night. So proud of my boys. Oh, and they are only 7!