If you’re lucky enough to be in the mountains, you’re lucky enough!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Touch of Spring

Something certainly snapped free this week in the weather pattern as we have received a very nice taste of Spring - and we approve!  While it is not guaranteed to last, as March can be our snowiest month of the year, we will have all of it we can get when it is here.  Had to run solo today and headed out to Red Rock Canyon Open Space to try and find generally mud-less trails.  (Sitting snow + sun and warmer = mud festival)  It was 49 when I started and 53 when I finished - yes that is a numeral "5" at the start of the temp - WOO HOO!
 
From the Red Rock Rim trail, looking out across the namesake sea of red rocks!! I had a little problem that was evident as I stepped from my truck - I left the wonderfully addictive Garmin on the counter when I left to drive over. What - run without my wonderful, endless supplier of numbers to quantify all things running????  Oh well, I kept time with my phone and know the mileages of almost everything at Red Rock, so could be worse.  Well, that is, until my iPod died at mile 4....
 
The trails were generally in fantastic shape aside from the areas nearest the main trailhead.  I do have a bit of a beef with "some" trail users.  When it is muddy enough to sink in to your shoe laces or up on the rims of your mountain bike, go somewhere else until it firms up.  And yes I can speak to both - 15+ years of hardcore mountain biking gives me freedom to speak into that world too!!  I don't get it - coming home with 5 pound shoes or an extra 10 pounds on the bike is not fun.  And the crusty, lumpy carnage left behind when it dries - Ay Carumba!  Anywho, enough ranting, back to the run... where was I?  Ah yes, Pikes Peak on a glorious day - enough said!
  
Beautiful, snow-free, fabulous, red dirt trail...Cruising up the Sand Canyon Trail.
  
Taking a "Peak" through the trees!
  
All downhill from here...  Snapped a "group" photo at the top of the trail heading out to the main parking.  It was a fantastic day, yet I had no legs - crud.  I was able to get 10.5 miles but had nothing else to give - on such a sunny day, what?  Well it has been a long week, but unfortunately longer for the lovely Kathleen.  As I am writing this, she sits at the hospital bedside of her mom in Iowa, nearing the end of an epic clash of the titans with cancer.  Friends, this courageous woman will not drop the sword, which I admire, yet the family suffers to watch the end drag out.  Send thoughts and prayers their way for me!  So my sadness and the fact that my love is so many miles away probably contributed to slow legs - strangely, however, running is therapeutic and I feel almost re-energized as I type this post.  Low 50's again tomorrow - can't wait. 

Shoes- Asics 2150 Trail - first time out and now muddy!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to Kathleen's mom and to your whole family...it's tough when the tough stay tough! I hope for the best and a peaceful passing. BIG HUGS to you both and I hope Kathleen can get back soon to join the next "group run and photo." I'm sure she misses you too!

Local Mind Media said...

Tell Kathleen I'm sorry. I'm sure she'll begin the recovery as soon as she's back with you. Send her (and you) my best.
Tim

Anonymous said...

Best wishes in such sadness! Hope you both have better days together soon! We are having great run weather hear in Ohio too. But it's early, it's not spring yet.

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

Prayers are with ya without asking. As far as I am concerned (after seeing my sister fight this same titan) they can keep the sword up as long as they can or want.

Glad Spring has sprung some. Early March in Topeka was always a tease 4 years living there. It was never fully sprung till late April.

Thanks for your comments of late!

ajh said...

Thoughts and prayers with all of you.

Julie said...

I am so sorry to hear about Kathleen's mother. I am thinking about you and your family.

Steve, it looks like you had a nice ten mile run. Thanks for sharing the pictures...the sun is shining and things are looking up! Spring is on its way:)

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