Yeah, I've been using this forum a lot to see what's going on up there, so I figured the least I could do was return the favor!
We got back to the trailhead a little after 7 - never needed the lights we packed, which was nice. The snow & heavier packs (than usual for running, thanks to extra gear) slowed us down, but not as much as we thought. We were able to run/jog a lot of the way back down.
To answer your question on "staying in shape," we run 60-100+ miles a week, pretty much all on mountain trails. We're in the Santa Monicas by week & every weekend hit either the ANF front range or high country, Baldy, Gorgonio or the Eastern Sierras. That said, I'm good as long as I'm moving light and quickly - but backpacking with 30 lbs on my back is a whole different animal. We did a 3-day trip last fall that all but destroyed us!
