An Overdue Conclusion to this "Blogging" Experiment

Lori hanging out by the creek, with Sophie on the chair and Bertie taking a break from aqua jogging

So, I realize that most anyone who's read this blog has an idea of how things have gone over the past nine years and that's also quite a lot of time to try to cover in a post.  At the same time, this thing still seems to pop up pretty frequently from what I hear when people are looking to track me down, so I figure I ought to make it a little easier to find me.  After nearly eight years with Teton County, Idaho as the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, last January 2017 Kathy Spitzer and I teamed up and opened Spitzer Law, PLLC in Victor, Idaho.  Professionally, it has been just a wonderful experience and I couldn't be happier as we head into our second year of defending the rights of people across Idaho and Wyoming, including Yellowstone and Teton National Parks.  In addition to criminal defense, we also take on family law cases, business representation, land use, contracts, etc.  I seem to have nothing but the most amazing clients, so it is incredibly rewarding to get to work on their behalf with whatever they need. 

Aside from the fabulous work situation, Lori and I have moved to a really fun log cabin just outside of Victor.  Trail Creek runs through our land (Brook trout make great fish tacos) and I've put in a 300 meter irregular oval track in our field that provides stunning views, great workouts and a nice place to walk the dogs. 

On the track, looking towards Taylor Mountain

As far as my feet and hands go, I've been able to reach a point of acceptance where the damage that was done is clearly permanent but it also doesn't hold me back from much at all.  My fingertips are still less sensitive than they were before, but they don't hurt and I have enough feeling that they don't impede my day-to-day living.  My left foot gets cold pretty easily, especially my big toe, but the pain in that foot is pretty limited and it seems to flex and function just about as normally as ever.  My toenails in general still grow incredibly slowly compared to my fingers, it's really quite amazing how depressed the growth rate seems to be, but one less thing to worry about I guess! 

My right foot remains quite painful and definitely does not bend or flex the way that it used to on account of all of the scar tissue built up on the top of my foot and around my big toe in particular.  It's also not super pretty to look at.  But running seems to be about the best thing for continuing to push blood through and continuing to encourage healing, even nine years later.  At first, runs were really painful and I couldn't do more than a couple per week.  What I noticed back in 2009 and 2010 though was that a few days after long runs, the pain seemed to get better and the blood flow improved as well.  Since then, I've been able to slowly work my way back to regular training loads and had some amazing experiences on the roads and trails. 

Just a few of the highlights since 2009 include a new marathon PR of 2:30:46 at the Twin Cities Marathon in 2014, a bunch of ultra wins and decent finishes, and some 100 milers including my first Hardrock 100 back in 2016. 

Island Lake, below Grant-Swamp Pass while previewing the course in 2016

I have yet to race well or really figure out the 100 mile distance, but I get another shot at Hardrock coming up here in 2018 which I couldn't be more excited about.  Hopefully I can take some of the lessons I've learned and improve on my last finish. 

Slogging up to Kroger's Canteen between Telluride and Ouray.  Photo Credit Jared Campbell

I've also had the pleasure of finally pulling off a "Full" Teton Crest run twice now -- in 2016 from South Boone Creek to Teton Pass, and in 2017 from Teton Pass to Flagg Ranch.  Those treks were the first times I'd been back to the Nord Pass region of the Tetons and it hasn't gotten any less rugged in those parts.  Those adventures and others with Dave Atlas have been pretty amazing. 

Hanging out at Mr. Bubbles between Old Faithful and the Bechler.  Photo Credit Dave Atlas

All in all, I can't thank everyone enough for all of your thoughts and support that helped me get through this experience and come out ahead.  Looking back, even with the pain, the expense and the permanent damage, I don't know that I'd change a thing from that trip with Derek.  The people I've met, the experiences I've had and the opportunity to connect with so many old friends that all seem to have come about from this one, shitty consequence of an otherwise fantastic ski trip sure don't make me regret any of it at this point.  Every time I reflect back on this incident my mind is drawn to the inscription that Buddy Edelen included when signing my dad's copy of his memoir, "A Cold, Clear Day" which is, "Without the experiences, there would be no memories."  -- Buddy Edelen.  I would never give up the memories of the cards, phone calls and visits in the immediate aftermath, or the wealth of opportunities like racing Ghost Town or stepping into the "part-time" (what a crock . . .) deputy prosecutor role that never would have happened if that adventure had gone off without a hitch.  Experiencing a bit of pain in exchange for memories like that is a deal I'd make every day of the week. 

There's also no way to properly thank everyone who has helped me along the way to get me where I am today.  Lori, hands down, has been and continues to be my rock every single day and the key to every success I've had since 2008, thank you. Allen, for setting up this damn blog in the first place and now going off and building an incredible family, I can't thank you enough either.  My parents for accepting, coming to terms with, or at least keeping quiet about the fact that they're now reaping the results of raising an independent, stubborn kid who loves to run, loves the mountains and was taught to follow his dreams, thanks.  Kathy, for taking advantage of my misfortune and giving me the opportunity to practice law (only to find out that I actually like it!) and becoming such an incredible friend and training partner as well, I can never repay you.  I could go on forever here, but I think it's time to put this post out of its misery and call it a wrap as far as this blog is concerned.  I'm really not a social media kinda guy (if you haven't noticed already) so you'll probably need to reach out to me in some old fashioned way in the future, but if you've read this far into the post I sure do hope you shoot me an email or give me a call.  One last photo that I think captures this whole situation quite nicely . . .

Greeting the man, the myth, the legend, Ty Draney, at Kroger's Canteen, 2016.  Photo Credit Jared Campbell