After deciding we did not feel like the hour drive to Pueblo Reservoir, we headed off to Greenland Open Space. They have had more a lot more snow right there on the divide between Co Springs and Denver, but we were hoping for some decent running. Getting ready to head out, looking south to Pikes Peak from the trailhead.
We started out running the Spruce Meadows Prairie Loop, hoping that the open areas would be dry. While there were some dry spots, as in the photo above, we did a fair amount of prairie grass running today. (By the way, if you are reading this, Sunshine Girl, that is Kathleen, in a SKIRT, in the middle of winter!! hehe! No worries, though, we'll get paid back and have to don our eskimo suits before long.)
We started the run in full sun, but were racing the clouds all day as they rolled in over the Front Range. This is looking north toward Larkspur.
More than half of the trail was in this state today - under water and snot-slick muddy! So we ran a lot of lumpy grass on either side - good foot and ankle strengthening day!
When we finally got to the base of Spruce Mountain, we were greeted by quite a bit of snow in the trees. So we made the frontside loop and decided to head over to Greenland and run a loop there. No sense going up top, and then having to descend on ice with no traction control in place!!!
It was cool running through the forest on the north side of Spruce.
We did the bottom loop at Greenland and headed in from there - 14 miles on the day. Felt longer with the lumpy-grass trekking but that's what trail running gives you some days. Beats a treadmill!!! Still had a nice view of the Peak, however, it would be socked in with clouds by the time we got home. It was a great day and we truly can't beat getting these warm-up days mid-winter. Some folks had big races this weekend - hope they went well and we're looking forward to your reports. Happy Trails!
Shoes - K Asics 2150 Trail
S - La Sportiva Wildcat
12 comments:
Gosh....wish I could run in shorts! Nice pictures as always. Still enjoying the coffee! :-)
Hello,
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Enjoy the run!
Whitney
How fun! Those little trails look like little brooks or rivers, I'm sure you have to get creative moving through those areas or not mind getting wet and muddy. All that sounds like fun to me!
Brr... My legs would be cold if snow was on the ground!
Sweet pics! And always so timely! I was just thinking about signing up for the Greenland 50k. I'm wondering if your run is on the same trail?
Ace-
Part of it was. I ran the 25k last year and will again this year. Let me know if you want some course info.
Steve
sorry happy trails, but it was 70's by noon each day in Arizona this past weekend. We have our payback though. Lots of rain and upper 40's this week in Vegas. Yes, RAIN! Lots of it they say. We should get more than our typical 4 inches a year this week.
Thanks for sharing. Lumpy grass, mud and snow all in one trail run. The best!
It certainly helps break up the winter a little bit when we get these awesome temps mid-January!
We went for a little hike over the weekend and were covered in mud, so I feel for you guys on your run.
You guys are so crazy running on snow! Ahh be safe!
To get the skunk outta my dog my Dad used peroxide baking soda and some other stuff that a recipe told him to. It totally worked, dog smells normal....the house on the other hand, still smells like skunk.
Those are great pictures. I've toyed with the thought of the Greenland race before but it never is a good with with other stuff. Love that cute skirt :). Thanks for the comment on my blog :). I've done the neti pot a million times and I'm just too dumbo to get water up one side and out the other. Haha. Will try the other you suggested. Thanks.
Not too nice of a running weekend but at least it's not -5 and snowing!!
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog. Love the pics from Greenland ... what a spectacular place to run, so beautiful!
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