SCOTT ROWLEY

The Bad Ass Marathon

1/21/2014

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PictureSmith Rock State Park From Eagle Roost
Friday afternoon I ran across a message on Facebook asking for someone to sweep an organized fun run called The Bad Ass 50K and Marathon Trail Fun Run. A voice in my head was screaming to take on the challenge of gaining 9000+ vertical feet during the course of a 32 mile run through the Central Oregon desert.

I volunteered to sweep the trail with a bit of hesitation because of my 26th birthday marathon ran just 5 days prior. My mind and body were stoked for the next adventure.

My coworker and fellow ultra-marathoner picked me up at 545 Saturday morning. We drove out to Skull Hollow Campground near Smith Rock and discussed the event ahead as the sun started to rise. My excitement began to build as he spelled out to me his trail marking strategy, the major intersections, hill climbs and additional details. This was going to be one bad ass adventure.

We arrived at the starting point (Skull Hollow Campground) around 7am and waited as runners began to show up.

By 815 there was some 40 runners anticipating what was ahead of them. Each one of us was running 10, 20, 27 or 32 miles (majority were running 10).

Runners began to disperse across the trail at different paces. I settled into dead last with a sluggish 13 minute mile pace and was content knowing that thousands of feet of climbing and miles were waiting ahead.

By mile five I had gained 2000 feet in elevation and stood atop Grey Butte where my eyes overlooked a magnificent desert landscape with the cascade mountains in the backdrop.

I started descending Grey Butte and my ill trained quads started burning. It felt like an on and off wall sit for the next five miles. By mile ten my body began to clearly tell me that a 50K was not going to happen today, but I had the strength to push through the challenges that lie ahead.

I ran up Coles Trail, hit an out and back to Nicols Spring and began zig zagging down Cougar Canyon.

As I got deeper into Cougar Canyon my mind started drifting back to a story that Jeff shared with me during the drive to Skull Hollow just hours before. This section of the trail is known as Cougar Canyon because one of his friends once came upon a fresh cow kill in the canyon surrounded by cougar prints.  I have a hard time getting this story out of my head for the next few miles, but I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I reached a turn in the road and where we could have continued descending into Smith Rock State Park there was a left hand turn up a hillside that would take me to the Burma Rd Saddle and a major decision point.

Do I turn back and run a 20 miler or push on and experience an additional 2000 feet of climbing and a full marathon. I fight through the voice telling me to take the easy option and turn down into Smith Rock State Park for a full marathon route.

I zig zagged down into the park and took in some views that I had never before experienced. As Monkey Face came into view I prepared my mind for the steep and grueling climb that lie ahead.

People started giving me rather odd looks as I scaled the hillside faster than them with streamers hanging off my pack. I did not care. My mind and body were in a state of zen. I was present.

Scaling Misery Ridge was only half the battle. I now had to descend roughly 1000 vertical feet. At this point my quads were screaming at me. I kept telling myself that I was getting much stronger.

I ran a few miles up river toward Burma road where the next 1600 feet await. These few miles rolled along some of the most peaceful areas in the park. I passed a few people that asked what the streamers were for. There face gazed in utter amazement as I explained the adventure I had been on for some 5 hours now.

I walked up Burma Rd, picked up the intersection marker and scanned the landscape to find Scar Trail. This is a very steep section of hill climbing that takes you up to a viewpoint known as Eagle Roost that overlooks all of Smith Rock and the Cascades landscape.

I turned around after a five minute rest at Eagle Roost and started a brutal descent of over 2000 vertical feet in a little over 7 miles to finish the run. Today, I ran roughly 27 miles and gained 7000 feet in elevation. This was right near the top of my list for physically challenging adventures.

With each passing mile I found a deeper reason for why I run. I run for the freedom found in the hills, the peace of mind, the thought provoking clarity and the simplicity of the sport. I run for the beautiful scenery and areas I get to explore. I run for the mental and physical challenge. I run because I love it.

This day was more than just another run. It was an experience that enlightened my life and brought me a sense of true being. It made me feel more alive.

I learned that my mind is getting stronger with each experience life throws at me. Deep in me there lives a burning passion for running that was just a small smoldering ember only months ago. I am learning how to push through the voice in my head that starts screaming at me to give up. The one that tells me I am not fit for this. The one that wants me to fail.


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2013 Reflection

1/5/2014

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Picture2013 Reflection | A Year of Growth
2013 was filled with growth, adventure, joy, sadness, success and failure. Most importantly it was filled with love.

 Through clear eyes and a clear heart I ventured into the unknown, photographed the journey and learned things about myself than I never knew before.

“Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein

2013 was a year of changes. Most changes were positive or at the very least yielded a very positive outcome after reflecting on what was learned from the experience.

I had one of the most successful years of my life in terms of improving my health and overall well being. I found myself and am striving to become a better human being each and every day.

My accomplishments for the year were a huge physical and emotional journey into the unknown. I went back country skiing, climbed new mountains, ran marathons, lived in the woods for three months, played with a few business ideas and learned more about myself than ever before.

I am very grateful for all the love and support from family, friends and co workers throughout this years journey.

May the adventure continue into 2014 with positive momentum, healthy hearts and a value based lifestyle.


Major Achievements in 2013
  • Ran 4 marathons. 2 of them were longer than 30 miles.
  • Got sober. Have not drank for 8 months.
  • Lived in the woods for 3 months.
  • Improved relationships
  • Began reading and writing consistently.
  • Started saving more money and managing finances better.
  • Increased job value at G5.
  • Played with a few business ideas (website design, SEO, Google+, writing)
  • Planned 2014

My favorite blog posts from 2013 are listed below. Each post is about one of my many adventures in the outdoors or personal development.

January
  • Kwolh Butte Backcountry Skiing Overnight Adventure
  • Skiing at Park City Utah - A Ski Taxi

February
A Standup Desk at Work Is Installed

March

  • Backcountry Skiing Broken Top and Ball Butte
  • Skiing and Rock Climbing in One Day | Beautiful Sunset at Smith Rock
  • Favorite Skiing Photo To Date | Todd Lake Ridge with the Three Sisters
  • Snow Caving with REI and Friends on Tumalo Mountain (Video)

April

  • Family Reunites for a Day of Skiing at Mt Hood
  • Drew Lead Climbs His First Route “My Little Pony”

May
  • 5/11/13 Day One of Sobriety | An Epiphany on a Mountainside
  • South Sister Ski Summit with Rex Shepard
  • Gratitude from A-Z
  • Rock Climbing with my Brother

June
  • Marathon Mind Returns
  • Family Hike on Mt Hood
  • Nicole Pressprich Completes the 2013 Ironman Coeur D'Alene
  • 30 Days of Sobriety

July
  • Mt Bachelor and Tumalo Mountain Run
  • Sunrise Summit Camp on South Sister
  • Middle SIster in Central Oregon (favorite photo)

August
  • Peak Training Weekend: 30 Mile Run and Mt Adams Climb
  • Lost and Found 20 Mile Run (actually lost in the woods)
  • Smith Rock from 500 Feet Off The Ground

September

  • A Marathon and Sobriety Change My Life
  • Flagline 50KM Trail Run
  • Summit of Wife Mountain in Central Oregon

October
  • Smith Rock Pumpkin Patch (great photo of Scott and Nicole)
  • Nicole and I Placed First in a 5K Run
  • A South Sister Sunset (amazing photo)
  • Changing Your Happiness One Smile at a Time | The Smile Experiment
  • Simplicity Is A Key Ingredient to Happiness

November
  • The Healthy Habit of a Standup Desk
  • Duffy Lake Reflection (great photo)
  • Overcoming Unhealthy Addictions 
  • 5 Ways To Make Mondays Rock
  • Creating Life Balance (Sunrise Ski Up Mt Bachelor Before Work)
  • Broken Top Skiing With Rex (another great ski photo)
  • Making Appreciation Daily Habit | Appreciation Experiment Results

December
  • Healthy Work Break Habits
  • Sunrise From Tumalo Mountain
  • A Ski Pass Collage
  • The Pursuit of Goals and Happiness
  • Great Grandma Turns 100 :)
  • Three Habits to Create a Happier Healthier Lifestyle
  • Brother Sister Ski Day
  • Willingness to Change Your Habits
  • 26th Birthday Marathon

I wish you success and happiness in 2014.

Summit as friends!
Scott Rowley


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Day 365 Of 365 Photos from 2013

1/1/2014

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Picture
Happy New Year :)
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