"Baked in the Garden" Run!

First things first - I got to run yesterday!  Quite the good news after 2 weeks of not a single running step.  (Infected unmentionable part not healed, but getting there)  Our good friend Tim had another friend in from back East, who in turn had friends in the Springs that he wanted to visit.  So, being the good host that he is, Tim made the trip down and got in a run with us while his guest got to catch up with friends here.  We decided to hit the Garden of the Gods on limited time.  There was one catch for Mr Steve - two weeks off running AND - surprise - it was 85 degrees when we hit the trail.  Combine that with 14 days on antibiotics already and it was big time dehydration festival for me.  No pain, though, so I survived...

Bluebird skies bathing Pikes Peak!

So we hit the trails with hopes of getting in about 10 miles.  Tim had never been to GOG, so we figured on hitting the basic outer loop first - Dakota, Palmer, Siamese Twins, Cabin Creek, then over to Scotsman, Niobrara, and hit the front loops a second time.  Good Stuff.  We were making good pace until the Cabin Creek climb - then the sun got the best of me.  From that point, Tim and Kathleen had to wait at the top of each climb for me - like a newbie :-(  Oh well, at least I was on trails, upright, and running - at least mostly running.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the Garden has sprung to life - we went from a long, cold "spring" straight into heat zone this week.  Nothing like a long string of singletrack set against a stunning backdrop to get a trail runner's pulse going!

Tim running through an open meadow

Tim and Kathleen heading through the trees

Unfortunately, this was the only "shade" we had all day - a couple feet at a time.  Kathleen is all smiles leading through the Gamble Oaks on the front side trails.  Shortly after this pic, I dropped off to finish my run at 7.5 miles and I was baked.  Heat immersion training, I guess.  And what is up with no pictures of Steve, anyway?!?!  Conspiracy of the fast runners, I guess...  :-)

Different angle on Pikes Peak - awesome mountain!

Kathleen and Tim did the extra loops on the front and finished strong with 10 miles and 1450' of climb - lots of constant up and down in GOG.  It was fun touring Tim through on his first trip too.  It was a good visit and we got Tim back in time to catch his ride back to Boulder.  Definitely good times and Happy (to be back on) Trails!

Shoes - K Asics 2150 Trail

S - Asics Trabuco

(T - LaSportiva Wildcat !!)

Today, we got out to ~20 degree cooler temps - high 66.  I decided to not tempt fate and do a ride instead of running.  So Kathleen opted for a Brick - Run then ride.  I got to work on the road bikes, which have needed a little TLC while Kathleen did her run.  When she finished up, we took off on the bikes for some local loops where we would not have to deal with crazy holiday traffic.  We started off with our Flying W loop and on the big climb, found out quickly that Kathleen had my legs from yesterday - crap.  So she ended up cutting her ride to ~15 miles and I headed out through Rockrimmon for some extra mileage.  I altered my route when I popped out on old Woodmen road and saw a group of 10 or so "carrots" (a.k.a. - riders I wanted to catch) heading up into Pergerine.  So I did the big hill and passed all of them by the top - I buried my legs doing it though - gotta love male-ego-competitive-stupidity sometimes!!!  Ended up with 26 miles and 2600' climb - nice round numbers.  (Almost all of our west-side rides average about 1000' climb per 10 miles - interesting)  Interesting side note - my feet prefer 15mm of soft EVA foam under them rather than the 5mm solid thermoplastic sole in the "fine Italian love for your biking feet" Sidi's that we wore today.  Good day and hoping for a run again tomorrow....

Hittin' the Stairmaster

I love Mondays!  The office is closed so Monday is my play day.  It is also a day I try to "mix" it up with some variety in terms of workouts.  My intention, over the summer, is to get some Monday bricks in - a run followed by a ride.  The "mix" today started with one of my "quick" faves - a climb up the Manitou Incline. 

Smiling and ready to get the climb "on"!

There was a steady line of people all the way up.  I think it was the largest crowd I have ever seen on a Monday.  It was interesting - there were people in all shapes, sizes, ages, varying levels of fitness (and non-fitness!), and a number of different languages being spoken along the way.  Everyone seemed to be reveling in the beautiful day.  The Incline seems to be its own tourist attraction!

After weaving my way through the "sea of humanity" to the top, I paused to enjoy the expansive view looking down and east over the city.  It was fun to see several groups of people cheering their friends when they hit that last step and the satisfied looks of accomplishment on their faces.  I love watching people and I love seeing them smile.  It makes me smile.

I decided to forgo the "normal" way down to Barr Trail (a steep, washed out trail that everyone uses) and found the preferred and little used trail that drops out a little farther up Barr.  It continues climbing straight ahead from the top of the Incline for a quarter of a mile or so and then starts a gentle drop to Barr.  The wind had really whipped up and parts of this connector are a bit exposed.  The harsh wind unsettles me a bit, anyways, and combined with the very secluded feeling on the trail,  was feeling a little "creeped" out.  I was more comfortable once I hit Barr and started the descent.  If I would have had some company, I would have loved to continue up to Barr Camp.

The gravel seemed to be extra slippery today - like running on marbles - so I exercised a little extra caution running down - didn't really care to do a face plant.  Thankfully, the descent was uneventful.  The above photo is one of the many switchbacks that make up the section called "the W's".  At the conclusion of the run, I was happy to note that my legs hadn't turned to jello.  Got my 2000 feet of stairclimbing in a mile, climbed a little more, then descended about 2250ish in 3 miles and felt good!  I "wimped out" on the bike ride - I just didn't have the fortitude that Steve had last Saturday to venture out into the nasty wind.  So I called it all good for the day.
Happy Trails to everyone this week!

Kathleen "Runs With Jill"

...But First, Where Have You Been?....

Haven't posted in a bit??  I know, not because of a lack of desire.  Just have not been up for it.  Back up a few weeks and I'll give a brief explanation.  Coming out of the Greenland race, we both felt pretty good.  Had a decent showing there and headed off to sunny New Mexico to try and get spring jump started.  By mid-week, I thought I had a slight groin strain from the race, so tried to keep an eye on it and do some stretches, etc.  However, not a strain.  Let's just say strong antibiotics and very painful and we'll leave it there.  It has left me on the non-impact, unable to run list.  So, ...

 Sidi Dominator - worth buying for the name alone!

At the end of this week, I got out the trusty mountain bike and figured I would find out if I could at least tolerate some rides.  Ride 1 short but good on Friday evening.  Saturday morning, Kathleen ran by herself before heading off to work.  She got in a nice 9 mile run, incorporating some of our local hills.  Good run and all seems to be clicking for her - awesome!  After she left for work, I headed over to Santa Fe trail to try some mileage on the bike.

North Gate - USAFA

Nice  view of Blodgett Peak, with the tip of Pikes Peak behind, and the B-52 display in the foreground.

10 miles out and feeling good

Headed out 10 miles to the north boundary of the Academy and then had headwind the whole way back - yeah...  I am talking the nice, sustained 35 mph with 50 mph gusts - awesome!!  Just what you live for on the bike - or NOT.  But, it's Colorado in the spring and you learn to suck it up, bury your head, and go.  I ended up with 20 miles in relative pain-free fashion - good news.  

NOW, Run with Jill!

 Kathleen and Jill

Kathleen had been chatting with Jill post-Boston about doing a trail run with us.  So a run was coordinated this week to take place at Waterton Canyon outside of Littleton, CO.  The trail is a wide dirt road that follows the South Platte up to the Strontia Springs Dam.  It is a very scenic canyon and there were many trail users already out early this morning.  The plan was for Kathleen and Jill to run and I was going to ride the bike - better than staying home, right?  Jill also had a friend, Dennis, that showed up and ran with them most of the way.

Plenty of wildlife - mama and goslings

Tried my hand at video while riding

Most of the ride up was shaded, as the sun had yet to clear the canyon walls - a bit cool but still pleasant out.

Strontia Springs Dam

Stopped to have a look at the dam when I reached the top.  The dam is 243 feet high and I was quite happy it held it's contents while I was below it!!!   I knew I would have a bit of extra time, so I continued on toward the start of the Colorado Trail.  

Local residents lounging

The Colorado Trail

We  have been on several segments of the Colorado Trail, which starts here and goes all the way to Durango, but have never been to either endpoint - until today.  I rode a bit up the singletrack, which was quite steep, and then turned to start back down.  We will be back to run this and get in some more of the singletrack trails!!!

View from the top

I saw Dennis on my way down and knew it was time to keep my eyes open for the gals.  Sure enough, along came Kathleen and Jill - both all smiles and enjoying their day.  Notice their synchronized running - almost like they practiced it for years!!  Once again, we had some unbelievable weather.  We went from two days snowing last week, to 80 degrees Saturday and 75 today - gotta love the mountains.  I continued on down and chilled in the sun for a bit while the gals finished up a nice run.  It was a nice day and we were glad to meet Jill (& Dennis too).  More "Kathleen Commentary" coming tomorrow.........

Back in Time...

Quick rewind to last weekend - we got out for a run at the Monument Fire Center, trying to get a preview for a big loop we want to do in the near future.  With many rides under our belts on these trails, and some local recon info from our friend Jon (whom you met several posts ago), we decided to expand our base a bit and go a little higher up on Mount Herman.  Kathleen is cruising up into the alpine section here on Trail 715.  We are looking at an option to form an 18-20 mile loop utilizing these trails.  Trail 715 will form the "spine" of our big loop, as it traverses the southern and western flanks of Mount Herman.

High up on Trail 715

Group summit photo

We thought we were taking the newer Black Pearl trail, however, my navigation was a bit off and we were on the 715 all the way up to an intersection with Mount Herman Rd.  That worked out OK, though, as we realized the potential for the circumnavigation of Mountain Herman.  We topped out around 8000 feet but will need to climb higher to complete the big loop.  With more navigation resources from Jon, we will be looking at that in the near future.

Because of the "issue" previously mentioned in this post, we decided to cut off the exploration for the day and begin our descent back to the Fire Center.  As we made our way down, we were excited about the potential loop even before we got to sit down and scour the map.

Another trip through the Memorial Groves on the way out

We finished our day with 11 miles but are hopeful to get back over soon and take a shot at the big loop.  Watch for details....