We had a nice day today to head over to Red Rock Canyon Open Space for some good running. It was pleasant - mid 40's - with a strong wind developing that made it feel a little on the cooler side. But with brilliant sunshine and nice trails, it was another day for happy trails! We started out running up the Red Rock Rim and then down through Red Rock Canyon to get warmed up before tackling the outer loop. There sure were a lot of people out on the trails today - maybe they were out getting some 'guilt' exercise so they could load up on poultry and pie on Thursday!!!
It sure felt like it took a long time to get the legs and lungs rolling today. Here Kathleen is climbing the Red Rock Rim trail with just the tip of Pikes Peak visible in the background. It has been a while since we've run here, and with all the singletrack running we have been doing, we forgot how much dirt road there was to run here. But it is great scenery and sure beats asphalt, so we're OK with that.
Steve runs the Red Rock Rim with one of the many walls of red granite in the background that made this prime area for the quarry years ago, and now serve as the popular playground for many local rock climbers. We were surprised that with the abundant sunshine today, we saw very few climbers on our descent through the Red Rock Canyon trail.
Kathleen runs the narrow singletrack on the Contemplative trail. This area is usually tunnel-like when the foliage is on the trees, but is a little barren right now.
Steve is climbing the Roundup trail here with several of Garden of the Gods signature rock formations seen in the distance.
As you can see from the profile the Garmin captured, there is nothing really flat at Red Rock. You go up one canyon and descend the other side, then start again! That is part of the reason this run always seems so taxing - at least to us. We finished our day with 10 miles and 2300 feet of climbing, so it was a great workout (even greater when it is the end of November and we are running in shorts - or skirt!!) We are thankful as always for our health, family and friends, and our incredible access to so many awesome trails so close to home - no need to wait until Thursday to count our many blessings. Get out and enjoy the trails if you can this week, and for sure, find the many things around you to be thankful for!
Shoes K Asics Gel Trabuco
S Asics Gel Trabuco
We're climbing what?!?! We had a very gracious and patient trail guide today as we headed out (and UP) on the Mesa and Bear Canyon trails. Thanks Tim!
Nearing the top of one of the steep climbs.
This was a familiar view of Tim today - he's a speed goat!!! Yes, really! Not only is he super speedy, he's a member of the Wasatch Speed Goat Mountain Racing Team.
Candid trail moment!
We were climbing above the famed, and very beautiful, Flatirons on the west side of Boulder.
COLD group photo at the turn around point at the top of Bear Canyon - we did not stand around long here!
Tim had a chance to take a breather coming down out of the canyon...
... finally we caught up to him. We really had a great time today, getting in almost 10 miles on some awesome and rugged trails with nearly 3000' of elevation gain. We have much to be thankful for today - so many blessings - our health, our families, old friends, and some new friends!!! Happy Trails!
