Running Break: Indian Peaks Sunday Hike

I took a well deserved break from running to head out on the trails again. Reason #74 why I love Colorado...less than an hour to great day hike trails!

Check out the panoramic video shot from around the Lake Isabelle (maybe turn down your volume, the wind made some crazy sound effects).

Lessons Learned from the Lake Isabelle Hike:

Bring extra layers, it was chilly at our 8 a.m. start!!

Wear a hat, or you will get bit on the head by mosquitoes, not fun. :-(

Bring bug repellant...and snacks for a nice picnic by the lake.

Great way to stretch out my legs after a long run, but I think I may regret this active weekend come Monday and Tuesday morning. Whatever, great way to spend my free time!

Six Miles of Hills

It's time to step up my game, less than a month left until half marathon No.1. I bumped my mileage up to six miles this weekend to push me a little bit closer to the 13.1 mile mark before the race.

I set out on my run early afternoon Saturday, hitting the road before the temp. got above 80 degrees. Pretty much the only direction from where I live in which to run is up, so off I went to head for the hills and run the trails in the industrial area of Interlocken.

Top of hill #1 at the Rocky Mtn Airport.

What goes up must come down, unfortunately the downhill ended much faster than the agonizing trip up.

...and back up the hill.

Really? Who thought this was a good idea?!?

Finally, the top of the last hill. Down hill the whole way home, what a relief.

My six miles of HELL hills proved to be challenging, but a good training run. It's always better when it's over though, right?

More hiking fun tomorrow, Yay! Hope I'm not too sore from the hills.

Half Marathon Crazy

Two half marathons in less than a month, that will be the longest race distances I will have done consecutively in such a short period of time.

Race #1:
My fabulous co-workers and I have eagerly signed up two teams to compete in the Harvest Moon triathlon relay on September 11th. Stu and I will be the anchors, rounding out the running legs for both teams, the distance:13.1 miles.

I figured this was the motivation I need to get serious about training again and gear up to shatter my time from last year's not so stellar performance at the Rock 'n' Roll Denver half marathon.

Race #2: Rock 'n' Roll Denver, October 9th.

Now, all we have to do is actually get on the road and start building our miles. My current base mileage should allow me to reach 10 to 12 miles comfortably in 33 days, which will bode okay for the 13.1 mile race, just don't expect a personal best from me this time since I will be focusing more on distance than speed for the Harvest Moon race.

Enjoy the next few weeks as we embark on our quest to 13.1!

It should be fun. The fiance will be here in one week to join me on my long runs and Mars, our dog, to keep us company on the regular short runs. Can't Wait!!!!

The Temp is Too Damn High!

I've been eagerly counting down the days until I return to Texas for my grandma's 85th birthday, and to see Stu and Mars (its been more than a month now). However, the extended heat wave has killed a bit of my enthusiasm to head back to south. Really, 34 days above 100 degrees with at least 50 percent humidity, I don't remember buying a plane ticket to Hell! The added humidity makes the 70+ days of 100 degree and above summer temps in Las Vegas look like a cold season.

Poor Mars trying to stay cool in 

the brutal summer heat.

Enough ranting, I've been spoiled by the cool Colorado summer weather and am whining about the three days I'll spend in Texas. Not only will I be cranky from the excruciating heat, but the lack of running is going to add to my unpleasant attitude beginning when I land at DFW. For once I'm making a wise training decision, I will be leaving my running shoes in the Mile High City and taking a brief hiatus, because the temperature is just too damn high!

Looking forward to seeing the fam, fiance and the pup, but will be anxiously awaiting my return trip to 60 degree mornings and cool breezes with the afternoon rain storms.

Stay tuned for pictures from Hell!