El Angel De La Independencia - CDMX

A column monument built in 1910 during the presidency of Porfirio Diaz by architect Antonio Rivas Mercado topped by a bronze depiction of the Greek goddess, Victory, in Mexico City. Originally built to commemorate Mexico's war with Spain for Independence, this structure has evolved into a mausoleum for war heroes.

When we visited Mexico City, we were lucky enough to stay less than a block away from this treasure, so we'd walk by it early/late daily. The last time I visited CDMX, it was blocked off due to some renovations, so it was pretty cool to see it lit up or sit by its steps.

Amongst the clouds - Iztaccihuatl

 Iztaccihuatl is a dormant volcanic mountain next to its more popular neighbor of Popocatepetl. It's the 3rd highest peak in Mexico at 17,159 and about 40 miles southeast of Mexico City. It's also known as "La Mujer Dormida" since its profile is said to resemble a sleeping woman. I tried my hardest to "see" this, but I just couldn't, but that's just me. 

According to our guide, legend has it that Iztahuatl was a princess who fell in love with her father's warrior, Popocatepetl who was sent off to battle but was promised to her upon his return. The entire time, Iztaccihuatl's father presumed he would not return, so she was incorrectly told that he died in battle. She was so grief-stricken that she died.

When Popocateptl returned, he was just as grief-stricken. As he kneeled by her grave, the gods covered them in snow and made them into twin mountains. 

Popocateptl, to this day, spews smoke when he remembers his eternal love for Iztaccihuatl. 

This was also one of my must hikes while in Mexico City. I'd seen pictures of Popocatepetl's majesty and wanted to see it for myself. 

Getting there, we had to drive through "El Paseo de Cortes" which is a very rough mountain pass as we approach the mountains. It derived its name from the fact that Hernan Cortes and his men navigated this pass. One can see the entire Mexico City valley and it's vastness. It was about a 30 minute 5 mph (at most) ride. If the altitude doesn't make you feel nauseous, this ride certainly will. Coincidently, the return seemed rougher than the arrival. I'll chalk that up to fatigue after a long day. 

There was a total of about 8 of us in our hiking group. Our guide indicated that everybody would pretty much be "on their own", but it would be impossible to get lost. "Just follow the trail and don't deviate off it", he said. He was correct. 

The round trip ended up taking about 3 hours and was about 3 miles total, taking into account photo opportunities, of course. 

The hike up to our previously agreed meet up/regroup point was not to difficult, even to this flatlander. As usual, the steep return was the best part to me. I usually find that I can push the pace with gravity's help. 

Being at 13,950 feet did not take it's (altitude) toll on me considering just the day before we were below sea level in Texas. 

The weather was nice, cold and breezy. This is definitely a must return trip/hike for me. 

Nevado de Toluca

 Upon scheduling our trip to Mexico City, Nevado de Toluca was one of the places I knew I just had to visit. 

Nevado de Toluca is an inactive stratovolcano. Strato because it's built upon layers of lava and ash. It's located about 50 miles west of Mexico City and happens to be the 4th highest of Mexico's peaks at 15,354 feet.     

It's also known by the Nahuati Indian name of Xinantecatl. Interesting fact, among many, in my opinion. Little did I know this week long trip would consist of pronunciation practice. Our hike consisted of circumnavigating its large open crater. There are 2 crater lakes located at the crater - The Lake of the Sun and The Lake of the Moon. 

Leading up to this adventure, we were in constant communication with Alberto, our guide. He'd been suggesting alternate locations to hike because Nevado de Toluca had been closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He promised these other locations were epic, but nothing quite like Nevado. Fortunately, the day before he notified us that the park had reopened a couple days earlier. 

I'm sure this was the reason we only encountered a handful of people doing this hike. 

Alberto was very knowledgeable. He pointed out that one could also hike the top portion of the volcano, but it was approximately a 13 hour technical at times trek. Note to self:  next time. Maybe. 

The trailhead began at about 13k feet, and we had to hike some loose scree which are broken rock fragments descending into the crater. We took our time hiking the perimeter and just being in awe. The lake views were simply indescribable. 

At the end, we ended up ascending to 14,087 feet. My first 14er. 

Every vantage point simply outdid its prior one. It was a spectacular and breathtaking sight. Judge for yourself. 

My Fragile Mind Has Been Warped.

Dang, with all this Covid 19 stuff, sometimes it's difficult to know what's accurate or not accurate. What to do. What not to do. How much of what to do, and how much of what to not do. It's pretty insane.

It's difficult to get stressed with all the news. 24 hour news. Everyday. All day. My fragile mind gets tied in knots.

Personally, this isn't about politics. Well, it might be (or not), but I really don't want to hear about politics right now.

What I've done to help with this is simple: I go for a little run or bike ride. Yes, I want to quarantine myself and go nowhere that I don't really need to, and I do. Many times, I'm just so stressed that I don't want to even step outside. I'm here to tell you that a run, walk or bike ride does wonders. Yes, I wear a mask when I do either of these three things. I choose to. It makes me feel better. Yes, it's uncomfortable but blah. I've felt more discomfort.

After said run or bike, I feel 1000 times better.

So stay active especially right now. It'll benefit you mentally AND physically. It can be done safely.

Stay safe, all.

Going From A High To A Low in No Time

Our own mortality is a difficult thing to grasp or come to terms with. Especially since we are reminded of it on a daily basis, at least it seems so. When you least expect it, it rears its ugly head.

Yesterday, I had a great run with great friends. It was a great pace, great conversation...great everything.

Upon finishing, I had a text from my parent that my sons grandfather had passed. I immediately called him, but he couldn't really talk through the sobs. There's nothing that hurts quite as much as hearing your son sob.

Of course, I went to see him and his mom to console them and to see if there was anything they needed.

This reminded me that it's a solemn reminder not to take anything for granted. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Don't settle. Life is short.Very short.

Canon De Mariposas 50k

Canon de Mariposas 50k was a great great run...and to think I almost didn't do it. Traditionally, October - December is a tough time to take a runcation since I coach MS Cross Country. Put simply, I could still take a Saturday off, but I want to continue coaching. I like it. Luckily, our trip organizer, Freddy, was willing to leave after my CC meet on Saturday.

Another couple reasons I had second thoughts was because the last time I went to do a run in Mexico (http://bens-running-mis-adventures.blogspot.com/2018/08/it-could-always-be-worse.html) I ate or drank something I shouldn't have and got the runs for 3 weeks. Oh, yeah...I lost my keys also. The trip was more of an adventure that I bargained for, but we won't get into that.

I have been running but not "training" very hard, so that was something that worried me a little. I mean I kinda figured I could finish, but would it be ugly? It turned out it wasn't pretty, but it also wasn't ugly.

I like ultras because I can afford to take several miles to "warm up" or get into the groove of it. This run was no exception.

Distances are approximate.

Miles 1-9:

It took me a bit to ease into it if I can call it that. I was ok during this stretch, but I wasn't feeling it. I kinda had made the decision to stop at mile 9 which was right before a toughie climb. Unfortunately, a friend, Nora Ruiz , was at that aid station cheering people and gave me the business for even bringing the subject up. I'm glad I listened to her.

At this point, the run had a climb of about maybe 2 miles and then back down. I don't have the climbing legs, so I struggled. On my way up, I ran into another friend, Brandon, who was coming down already. We said hi, and he blurted "This is a #%(*$*( huge mountain." Definitely not what I wanted to hear.

I struggled up but took advantage of the downhill like everybody else.

Miles 14-23:

This stretch promised to be the most scenic but also most worrisome. We were encouraged to use a hydration bladder/vest because there would be no water these miles.

The sights did not disappoint. Specifically, this little section.

Miles 25-31:

The last section or 10k was my time to reflect on what a great run this was. I met a lot of great people and had a great time.

Definitely worth the struggle.

It Could Always Be Worse

It could always be worse. 

That's a mantra I've tried to live by for a while now. I mostly like to repeat it to myself when the going gets rough. Well, it's been going rough for the last few weeks. 

I did an ultra in Guachochi which is several hours south of Chihuahua Mexico about a month ago. The airline "misplaced" my luggage upon arrival there. I didn't get my clothing and running gear until my return. I was stuck for 4 days with only the clothing I was wearing. I had to borrow clothing not only to wear daily but also for my run. Every single clothing item I ran with was borrowed. 

It was a pretty stressful trip and run. Despite this, I kept telling myself "it's ok. it could be worse" because...well...it could. 

Upon my arrival at the border, I couldn't find my auto keys. Turns out that I probably left them in Guachochi. The best part was that I don't have a spare set, so I had to have my vehicle towed to a locksmith and wait for them to order the key. Again, self, it could be worse. 

But wait...there's more. 

I was able to get my vehicle after a few days, almost at the same time I started getting these terrible stomach cramps, and the most outrageous of CODE:REDs ever. Ever. This went on for several days...5 days actually, until I went to the Dr. It turns out I had some sort of stomach bacteria I'd picked up in Guachochi. Apparently, it's not a good idea to drink water from a cascading waterfall. I mean, it was an emergency. They'd run out of water at an aid station and suggested I refill my handheld from the beautiful and clear waterfall. Right.  

I was under the weather for about 2 and a 1/2 weeks 'til the antibiotics kicked in. Again, I had to remind myself that it could always be worse. I don't know how much worse it could've gotten because my fatalistic self thought it could be a flesh-eating bacteria that would destroy me from the inside out. It didn't help that I'd read a couple articles about people contracting a flesh-eating bacteria. Curse you, internets!!!

But wait...there's even more. 

A couple days ago, I was returning from a friend's bbq when my CRV was sideswiped. The airbag deployed and slapped me in the face. I think I banged my head somewhere along the way too. No, I wasn't drinking. I don't drink, but I don't know about the other driver. The dumbest part of this was that I had just left and wasn't wearing my seatbelt yet. THIS, could have definitely been worse. Way worse. 

I'll be without my CRV until it gets repaired, but I have great friends (with cars) and a bike. The best type of friend is a friend who has a car and is off for the summer like me. I'm just sayin'. 

On a related note, just because I think you'll find it amusing and difficult to believe that I am not making it up, it was a pretty unique accident. In a nutshell, this beat up car sideswipes me into a stripes parking area where we both end up. I was a bit stunned and some bystander helped me out of my car. I look over and was still able to think "at least they stopped" as I saw the female driver looking at my direction before deciding to drive off. A guy that came over to see if I was ok quickly said "I'm gonna follow her, she's taking off!" I tried to dissuade him from doing so. You never know nowadays, but he took off. About an hour later, as my car is finally about to be towed off, the police officer that had initially made contact with me, returns. He tells me that they had just made contact with the car/individuals that hit me but wants to make sure it was a female driver. I tell him I'm positive, because I saw her. We made eye contact before she drove off. He says he just wants to make sure because a male driver is claiming to be the driver. The most important reason he wants to make sure is because the other person in the car, a female, has an amputated foot. 

You cannot make this stuff up. 

As I said, it's been an interesting past 4 weeks, but I go back to my mantra: It could always be worse.  Hopefully, at this rate, I won't find out how much.