Garden of the Gods run ... an old favorite!

We decided to run the Garden trails today and attempt to get a little mileage since I had been inactive for almost 3 weeks until yesterday's run. It was forecast to be nice today - but we do live in Colorado - so we headed out to partly cloudy and only mid-40's for our run. (Guess it beats SNOW!!!) As always, the trails in the Garden were sweet and there was a lot of trail traffic - runners, hikers, horses - as everyone is getting out ahead of a possible storm system Mon/Tues.

We started with our traditional route around the north on the Palmer and Bretag trails. We did avoid the Siamese Twins loop in order to cut out a couple short, steep climbs for Steve. Above Kathleen is making the rocky descent off of the Niobrara trail and relishing one of the periods of sunshine that we enjoyed.

Steve comes up out of an unnamed trail below the bluff on Niobrara. The effects of 3 weeks off were starting to accumulate and the expectations of a 10 miler were starting to fade, but I was putting the game face on to try and extend my day.

Here is a nice shot across the valley floor - see the spec far away on the trail and you will notice how far ahead Kathleen has pulled by now. We were definitely enjoying the day out on the trails regardless of the cooler weather. Dry, ice-free trails will be welcomed as long as we can keep them!

Nearing the end of the day for Steve, just a bit before heading out for a finish of 8.5 miles.

Kathleen did an extra loop on the Dakota trail and I was walking out the legs just in time to catch her coming out of the trees in the home stretch. She got her 10 miles in and we had a great day - Happy Trails for sure!!!

Shoes - K Asics Trail Sensor2

S Brooks Cascadia 3, which are a HUGE disappointment and will be retired way too early!

Back at it!

Got out for a run finally after getting the garbage cleared out of my lungs ... and it felt good! We needed to get out early this morning so Kathleen could get to work, so we decided to go run the race course at Ute Valley Park that I missed out on last weekend. After all the years running and riding this local park, we found a couple new trails that were on the race course that we have never been on.

Running up these rocks this morning we were surrounded by a herd of deer that were in no hurry to get away from us - they see so much traffic during a day that they are almost tame. The local trail series director makes the most of the hills at all the courses and it was no different here, traversing up and down the outer rim of the park several times and including one steep climb out to the upper rim that most walked during the race.

It was good times as we got in a quick 6 miles of trail and got a little bit of sun by the time we were finishing. My lungs did pretty well, so we're hoping to get in a nice 8 or 10 miler tomorrow, possibly previewing Trail Series #4 course at Palmer Park - if all goes well, we may try that one next weekend. Get out and enjoy the trails before they are covered in snow!!!

Last Minute Race . . .

Whoops . . . When I came home from the Incline yesterday I looked at the calendar and the race I THOUGHT was next weekend was really today! Yikes! Since the race was on the trails of Ute Valley Park, which is 1.5 miles from our house, I didn't want to miss out, gassed legs or not. Plus, it was a PERFECT Fall day!
Since Steve is recovering from his bout of pneumonia, I was on my own. Above is a photo of me trying to think positive and convince myself that my legs aren't tired from yesterday!

Here I am beforehand sipping some water and contemplating making an escape NOW. The race ended up attracting 450 runners and is part of a 4 race Fall Series. Today's race was a 6 mile loop over the hills and through the woods on the mostly technical trails in Ute. Here's the actual course description:

The trails in Ute Valley Park are up and down and up and down and up and down. You are not gaining or losing a significant amount of altitude, but you are always either climbing or descending. Add in loose gravel, rocks, exposed tree roots, sharp downhill turns, and you have the most technical course of the Fall Series. Most injuries occur on this course, mainly of the sprained ankle variety, but sometimes more serious. But just keep your eye on the trail and you'll be fine. Some years the weather has been wintry from early winter storms. If there is any moisture, the course can get fairly muddy.

At this point, we are only about 1.5 miles in and I'm still pretty happy and getting ready to wave at Steve. Are all those guys drafting me? Ha, ha!

The guy above is none other than our awesome local, Matt Carpenter, who, of course blazed the course without even breathing the whole time. For you ultra runners out there, he is the current record holder of the Leadville Trail 100. It's nice to see him out mingling with the mortals.

I think I can, I think I can . . . Here, thankfully we are only 1.5 miles from the finish. Yes, I felt like burnt toast although Steve said I was hiding it pretty well!

This is the third to the last short climb out in the last 1.5 miles. I LOVE the terrain in Ute. It is our little neighborhood gem of a park!

I would have to say this was the most challenging 6 mile run I have ever done. I will not be doing any Incline workouts before any future races we do, that's for sure!!! Although I had hoped for a little better time, I did finish 3rd out of 44 gals in my 40-44 age group and 27th overall woman out of 200 ladies. Considering my preparation (or lack of!), I am happy! It was a gorgeous day on great trails and a great hubby to cheer me on - it was perfect! Tomorrow calls for a nice recovery spin on the road bike. Ahhhh, a perfect ending to a great weekend. Hopefully Steve will return for some fun next weekend. Happy trails to all this week!

Shoes: Asics Trail Attack 4