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

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Palmer Park Run (What a Difference a Week Makes...)

Previously...
So back up a week and gather some background on why there was no posting here.  It was butt cold.  I was too frozen to type.  Last Saturday, I had quite possibly the coldest experience ever on a run.  I finished with the wool undershirt I was wearing frozen (as in sheet of ice) from my chest to my waist.  Hands frozen too.  Almost called a cab to get home.  Thought about changing the blog to Unhappy Trails.  Sunday was not much better, so we headed over to Ute Valley Park hoping to avoid the bone chilling wind.  We had some snow, but for the most part have missed out on what the Northern Regions received (Denver, Boulder, Ft Collins).  So with the mercury at 20 and wind chill temporarily above 10, we headed over to Ute.
 Kathleen drops in off the west ridge
 Tried to stay down in the valley and out of the wind
Weather moving in fast and we're headed home!

While we mostly avoided the wind, we did not outsmart the cold.  At 7.5 miles, we threw in the towel, cried Uncle, whatever you want to call it.  Judging by the peace and tranquility on the trails, most (sane) folks hopped on a treadmill in a warm room somewhere.  A venti Italian Roast at Starbucks at least made a segue into warming me up post-run.

Shoes - K Nike LunarFly Trail
S -Nike Pegasus

Now for the good stuff!
 Sweet, technical, DRY trails beckoning us 

Today, under vastly different conditions, we headed over to Palmer Park to get in some great trails.  This used to be our summer post-work run.  However, rampant riff-raff and various seedy issues have caused us to avoid evening visits to this park.  Sad how "that" element of society can dictate public use of such an awesome park but it is what it is.  With an inviting cerulean sky and beautiful trails awaiting we took off on what we hoped to be a great run.  
 Kathleen gets things rolling early on the run
 Doesn't look like we're right in the middle of the city?

Palmer Park is one of those rare gems - a rustic, mostly undeveloped park with unbelievable trails that is right in the middle of the city.  Land locked in between neighborhoods and heavy traffic, this jewel has  awesome trails and great rock formations.  Many of the trails are on the techy side, so there are a lot of hardcore mountain bikers that frequent the trails here as well.
 Unlimited views
 Some snow hanging on the northern trails
 Kathleen rocks the final , sunny descent

As we had hoped, the weather was fantastic and the 40's felt like summer after last weekend.  We were able to get in 12 miles on some premiere trails and absolutely enjoyed our run.  Days like this in December are special and we often squeeze out of them the maximum we can for the day because it could be zero next weekend.  But it wasn't today, life is good!

Happy Trails this week!

Shoes - K Nike LunarFly Trail
S - Saucony Peregrine


Mid-Week Special

Wednesday evening, we had tickets to see a screening of "Unbreakable" to benefit Friends of the Incline.  Great cause, and a good reason to get out and see a well done documentary covering the 2010 Western States 100 race.  If you get the chance to see a screening of it in your area, we would highly recommend it.  It is being released on DVD next week as well - link to the website from the caption under the video.  After the film, we were privileged to have these two guys spend a little time doing QnA - good times:
Geoff Roes and Tony Krupicka (in case you didn't recognize them...)

15 comments:

GZ said...

Wait - there is an occupy Palmer Park going on? ;)

Yeah, I am ready to be done with the cold and it has just started. Good news is that we are down to single digit days before the length of day starts winning the battle back to longer.

Jennifer said...

Wow, even looks really cold. Probably good stopping when you did. We don't have a park so much as our Rails to Trails which runs into town. The first two miles can be really seedy and I stay away from it, preferring to drive 10 minutes up the road to a more safe station on the trail. It really is sad when people use a public space for their own negative and sometimes illegal)reasons.

So lucky to get to see that documentary and hear the runners live. Cheers!

Johann said...

I don't know cold like that and can't even imagine how it was. Some of my favorite trails are also in a reserve surrounded by the city. I hope I can get my hands on the DVD at some stage. Stay warm! Oh yes...I will do a post about the peeing on the leopard.

Moriah said...

Bet that the night was great! Has it got you planning any races this season?

ajh said...

That is too bad about the trails being used for not such great purposes. Can't you flood it with snakes or something to keep them away?
Glad the weather cooperated more for you. Enjoy the season!

Terzah said...

Beautiful blog--I love your gorgeous pictures. Trail running is my true love and I can't wait to get back to them...have to live through you guys for now. (Thanks for your comment on my blog!)

Jill said...

How much longer 'til summer? Can we plan a summer meet-up now so I have something to look forward to? It has been chilly this week in Denver, I think because the sun hasn't shown and it makes it that much colder. Glad to see Kathleen doing 12 happy trails miles!! :)

T Z said...

1. Just because you have cold weather does not mean you need to shoo it southwest. We are recooping finally from you leaving the icebox door open
2. Great pics. Super duper cold weather makes for super clear shots.
3. We saw Unbreakable last night. It was such a great movie. I now have about 50 more friends chomping at the bit to run their first 100. (hmmm--maybe 51 friends?)

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

Hey Steve and Kathleen! needed to change the URL on my blog - cheerfulrunner.blogspot.com.

Merry Christmas!

Rach said...

gorgeous photos...makes me want to give trail running a try!

Kathy said...

Ah, more happy Colorado runners - so glad I found your blog! We really are spoiled living in this state!!!

Teamarcia said...

Geez those happy trails were darn frozen trails for awhile there! Glad things have thawed a bit and you're happy once again!
Oddly we had not a lick of snow for Christmas here in Fhi-town. Makes me worry what the new year will bring.
Happy Holidays!

Unknown said...

It was great catching up with you both via your posts, it sounds like you've been busy hitting some gorgeous trails.
I think I would have died with stalker-ness just seeing Geoff Rose and Tony. They are the Tom Hanks of the ultra world, or at least they are to me! It's okay, BS knows about these little crushes...
Happy New Year!
meg

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

hello?

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

Steve and Kathleen,

Hope all is well in Colorado Springs? Have missed seeing your postings and great photo's.

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