Not your average Girls Weekend!

I have been running a lot.  It was nice to slow the pace this weekend, meet new friends and climb a mountain.  

Thanks to Alyssa who dreamt up this weekend AND made it happen - 9 women left the chaos of Colorado Springs for a girls weekend.  No pedicures (though our feet were begging for them) and shopping only to pass the time while we waited for dinner.  There was lots of chatter and laughter, to be sure.  And some rest, too. 

We women rented the San Isabel Bed & Breakfast for the weekend.  It was a lovely place, in a lovely location with three lovable house dogs (Cleo, Lucy & Max) and delightful Innkeepers - Dick and Cam - who might just have been a little overwhelmed by 9 women! Not your usual B & B clientele and probably a little more noise than when all your rooms are filled with people who don't know one another.

Friday we had dinner at Amica's in Salida and then headed back to pack our gear and turn in early.  Our wake-up call was for 3 AM.  Yup.  3 AM.  Depart B&B by 3:30 AM.  Cam and Dick were gracious in preparing breakfast the night before - a vast array of choices  from bagels, to homemade "granola bars," yogurt, grapes, bananas, and the makings for trail mix!  While most of us attempted the early bed time, few of us succeeded in going to sleep right away.  Alyssa and I chatted for a bit and then forced ourselves to try and sleep.  I think for all of us it was a fit full night.  And by 3 AM we were up.  By 3:30 we were all collected, but still slow to get out the door. 

Somehow I was in the lead car to the trail head - thankfully with Laura as navigator and DJ and Marigny in the back noting all the music that was also on her 10 year old's IPod, too :).  The dirt road to the trail head seemed much rougher in the dark than it really was (discovered, of course, on the way out in the daylight).  

4:45 am:  7 women depart the Blank Gulch Trail head, headlamps illuminated, for the attempt on Mt. Shavano (14, 229).  We scared a couple of men at the trail head, I think.  They scurried off ahead of us very quickly.  Some in our group had previously summited Shavano, others had tried with out success and one among us was making her first attempt of a 14er.  There was great energy, despite the early hour.  

It really is amazing to be in the company of strong women - women who are talented mountaineers, but also dedicated volunteers, professional women, moms, wives, friends and so many other things.  I am lucky to know women who think the idea of hiking - be it a day hike, a 14er attempt, or a backpack - is a great way to define a girls weekend.  In my world, so much better than shopping and pedicures (not that I don't love a good pedi) - but for me this weekend was authentic.  We all showed up without judgement and with only encouragement and open hearts (for we didn't all know each other, though everyone knew Alyssa). 

About an hour into the hike we came to a small stream, the sun wasn't up, but it was up enough for a breakfast break.  Up to this point we'd mostly stuck together - all allowing our muscles, joints and bodies to warm up a bit.  From here we made the first split - Marigny and Laura settled into a slow, steady climb behind Alyssa, Suzie, Crystal, Ashley and I.  As we climbed I found myself in the middle of the pack - a fine place to be.  And for a very short while leading the group.  

My feet weren't very happy with my footwear choice having spent their whole summer in flip flops or trail runners - the hiking boots felt stiff and constrained.   But they are good boots and the feet survived the footwear choice - no blisters or black toenails.  And my left IT band was not very happy with the ascent either - which reminds me I must pull out the foam roller tonight.  Owwee!  

The trail starts at 9800 feet.  RT is 9.7 miles with 4430 of elevation.  Maybe driving to the summit of Pikes Peak on Friday for 6+ miles between 12K and 14K wasn't the best idea.  My thinking:  I needed summit time and I saw a window, it would be my first summit run so I wouldn't be running fast or hard, so it seemed like a good idea.  But the first summit run of the year IS hard.  And the top 3 miles on Pikes Peak are among the hardest - if not for the altitude, then there's the sixteen Golden stairs - the top mile of the trail - rocky, wet and without much O2.  The short story - maybe my legs were already a bit fatigued when I started.   But I felt slow.  But slow and steady is just fine.  

Just above tree line I took up the rear position and settled into my own pace.  At the saddle we all recollected, fueled up and aimed for the summit.  I felt reasonably good, felt a moment of uncertainty as we searched for the trail through the talus to the summit.  But all those years of rock scrambling as a kid came back and the butterflies disappeared.  Find solid footing, use your hands if  you need and take one step at a time.  Before I knew it we found the trail again and then there was the summit.  

9:30 AM:  Alyssa, Crystal, Suzie, Ashely and I stand on the summit of one of Colorado's 54 14er's.  I had forgotten how amazing the view is from the top of the world.  I am insignificant.  I am humbled.  I am in awe.  I am grateful (a feeling I have often).  And I am happy.  And sweaty.  And hungry.  We rest, snack and chat with other climbers.  Suzie and Crystal split off and decide to attempt the saddle to Mt. Tabeguache and the rest of us decide to head on down the mountain.  

10:15 AM:  Just as we step below the summit, we find Laura and Marigny!  Yeah!  I return to the summit with them to be a part of Marigny's first ever summit.  A moment for which I am grateful - the chance to share Marigny's exhaustion and elation at having climbed one hummer of a mountain.  And a chance to breath in the views just a little longer.  

The descent is, thankfully, easier on my IT band than the ascent.  Nonetheless we take it reasonably slowly.  It's a long way down the mountain.  Hansel left a trail of Smartfood along the trail (two teenage boys trotting down the trail made the ground squirrels awfully happy).  Took longer to get to tree line than I anticipated and it was warmer in the trees than I hoped it would be.  But I love the smell of pine forest that has been heated by the sun - aroma is good, feel of it, less so!  Eventually we saw small aspen and finally felt a slight cooling as the forest changed from just pine to a mix of pine and Aspen.  And then there was the creek.  And some thunder (thank goodness we were well below tree line, hoping that Crystal and Suzie were too) and a tiny bit of rain.  But we knew we were within 45 minutes (maybe less) of the trail head. And we were ready to be done.  Knees, quads, piriformis and feet were none too happy any longer.  But we'd done it.  And the weather had cooperated. 

Along the way down I wondered out loud what a 4.5 hour ascent over 4.7 (or so miles) meant for the Peak.  It felt slow and I was discouraged.  Until Laura reminded me that that ascent of the Peak is different. It zig-zags more than this one did.  It's a different mountain, and a different trail.  No comparisons.  Just recognize the accomplishment, and be grateful for a different training opportunity and more importantly time with friends.  Yup.  Time with friends.  These are the things I will remember when I look back on my life.

2:10 or 2:15 PM:  Trail head!  We'd done it.  First order of business, FLIP FLOPS!!  Then, thanks to expert Laura's wisdom, ice cold Gatorade!  DJ Laura got us back to the B & B for showers.  And Shannon and Wendy - great friends that they are - got some Sunshine Wheat, chips, salsa and guacamole for us!  

It was easy to fall into bed post hike!  I awoke in the middle of the night in a panic because my alarm was still set for 3 AM.  I had no interest in hearing it chime or in waking Alyssa.  When I turned on the light on my watch I discovered it was 2:59 AM.  Yikes.  I'd barely caught it!  I fell back into a deep slumber until about 5:30.  But I didn't get up until 7 am, when I awoke to thunder, lightning and rain!  Thank goodness we made our summit attempt yesterday.  By 7 am we were well into our hike and we would have been soaked.  A nice morning.  Body was sore today - tight calves and that piriformis - well - it's there to be sure :)  Coffee and conversation, and a delicious breakfast made for peaceful and relaxing morning.  The rain passed and by 9:30 we were all packed and ready to go.  And yet, still a little time to spare for some yoga on the wrap around porch.  I know I was reluctant at first, but grateful (there's that word again) when we were done.  My body needed the gentle stretching before the 2 hour car ride that was ahead of us.

We said our goodbyes to the dogs, to Dick and Cam, to the chickens and the llamas and to the Sawatch Range.  We drove North toward BV then turned East and on home to Colorado Springs.  

Another good, Colorado weekend.  A few more summer weekends to indulge in this beautiful place I call home.  

Vail "Half" Marathon

I wish I had a pocket camera.  I ran the most beautiful race today.  It was also really hard, but wow.  I wanted all my running buddies to be on that ridge line with me.  And my parents and, well anyone that matters to me.  The brilliance of the Indian Paintbrush - first red and then, deep pink, and small, but truly brilliant lupine.  And who can forget all the high mountain peaks still snow capped.  I really don't think I have been any place more beautiful.  Really.

The race was tough.  A "Half" marathon that totaled 14.5 miles up and across Vail Mountain.  We climbed 4000+ feet over 10 miles and most of that was in the first nine miles of the race.  The first three miles were hard for me and I was wary of what the day would give me over those 14.5 miles.  Jane and I opted to leave the Springs at 4 am, rather than stay in Summit County.  So we watched the sliver of a moon set and mountain landscape appear as the sun came up.  Not a bad start to the day, but it could have made for a tough race and a long day.  I still get nervous at the start of races that I won't be able to breath - the inhaler hasn't failed me - but I can seem to help the nerves.  And then there were my quads - they were a little like jello and I thought, "please not another day like BTMR," add to that tight calves (a common problem for me) and I was really wary.  I ran the whole way to the first aid station - mile 3 and then walked the aid station to get some GU and water.  Apparently that was the trick, because the quads were much better after that, as were the calves (though they plagued me off and on the whole race).  

Miles 4 & 5 were tough as we turned on to a rocky jeep road that rose and fell, rose and fell, rose and fell but mostly it just climbed and climbed and climbed.  The scenery was awesome - a stream that kept appearing - sometimes seen, sometimes only heard.  And as we climbed, the peaks around Vail made their appearance.  Just before mile 9 there was snow - yes snow - in the trees.  And while I thought I remembered mile 9 to be the peak of the climbing, we weren't quite there yet.  But this section was muddy (snow run-off) and rutted and in the forest and really quite awesome - quiet and a little mystical.  It was here, of all places, that I fell into a groove.  And while I'd leap-frogged with a number of runners up until now, I gradually gained on them and passed them - for good.  And while I leap-frogged with a few people from 9 to 14, I never got permanently passed again but I passed a lot of runners.  Good feeling to feel strong so far into the race and so high up!

Around mile 10 we turned onto a single track trail that followed the ridge line and took us across the mountain towards the Gondola and the finish line. I cannot find words to describe this section of the run. I'd already decided that this run was helping to remind me why I run and especially why I trail run, but if I hadn't already been sold this section would do it for sure.  I wanted to stop and stare, soak in the color and snap this moment forever.  I was wishing Jane weren't so fast so we could appreciate together, but I knew she'd been through it already and had marveled at the beauty around.   The most beautiful place I have been - I'm sure of it!  So you add to the luscious green hillsides, the brilliant palette of color and the snow capped mountain peaks and you could not find a more heavenly spot - at least as I define heaven.  I wish you could have been there, I really do.  There was a small technical section - with ropes even - to scramble down and then we kept on across the ridge a bit longer.

And yes, there was another good, steep uphill climb after mile 11.  But I cruised the gentle uphill, until the pitch became steep enough that I was more efficient power-hiking than actually running.  The top of this hill, took us a bit farther across the mountain and again onto a single track - this time wooded and beautiful in it's own right, straight on to the the finish line.

Both Jane and I needed a good race.  And we both had a good race.  Neither one of us started the day feeling as though that might be true, but both of us found peace on the mountain today. The mountains didn't win today - or maybe the did because they were so beautiful.  Doesn't matter though because I'm glad to have struggled my way through their beauty.  Thanks Jane, for going on this adventure with me, and thanks Vail Mountain for feeding my soul and making my spirit soar.

Adventures in CB

For the third year in a row I've been fortunate enough to receive an invitation to spend a few days in heaven.  Renee, Rick, Kirby and Charlie the dog have welcomed Sydney and I to their rented home in Crested Butte for a few days.  

I covet those few days for so many reasons.

If you've been to CB then I don't need to explain.  If you haven't, well what are you waiting for?  I haven't actually been there in the winter time - it's apparently paradise, just as it is in the summer time!  And since I'm not a skier or boarder I haven't found reason to make the trek in the winter.  But as a hiker and trail runner it is pure bliss.  9000 ft of elevation surrounded by 12, 13 and 14,000 foot peaks makes for stunning scenery.  And this year has been a wet one in Colorado so the wildflowers for which CB is known were more amazing than I've seen them in the last 3 years (and of course my good camera was in the shop!).  

And then there is time with good friends.  Especially Renee.  We don't talk often, but it's always easy when we do reconnect.  So nice to spend time with friends who know you well (16 years this summer for Renee and I), who know your history and who make you smile.  There's always an adults only dinner which generally involves much laughter, great food and a few drinks.

This year brought a few more adventures than usual.  Syd and I drove over the afternoon of the Barr Trail Mountain Race.  I had a tough race, and while slower than last year, better than last year overall in terms of how I felt (read: I wasn't white as a ghost and ready to pass out at the finish).  My quads burned on the way up much too early (maybe the 9 miles in Victor weren't the best idea on Friday, but it was a beautiful run, with good friends, followed by four of us masquerading as 8 when we had $1.95 breakfast's at the local casino).  I soaked the legs in ice cold water and had a recovery drink, but my legs were still jello-like up to Barr Camp.  I cruised on the downhill - wasn't so sure as I turned around - but ultimately felt pretty solid and let myself cruise.  The last 1/4 mile of the race is just mean - UP Hydro street to the finish.  UP, after having cruised down for 6 miles.  I hate the finish so much that I held on to enough grit to really punch it up that hill this year.  Enough for spectators to comment on my push to the finish.  And I passed at least one guy on the UPHILL finish.  Sweet!

So 12.5 miles RT on Barr Trail, followed by THE reason to run BTMR, ice cold watermelon served up courtesy of my friends at Colorado Running Company, Syd and I hopped into the car to make the 4-hour drive to CB.

Dinner out was yummy though I'm amazed I lasted as long as I did.  By 10 my eyelids were heavy after a full, good day.  Monday brought the adventure of the week for Renee and I.  Took the Subaru on a stream crossing and up a steeply pitched jeep road.  We only made it halfway to the trailhead - too steep for my liking.  The trail, Rustler's Gulch, was easy enough, though I wish I'd had my Chaco's for the three water crossings.  Ah well, a little barefoot crossing is good for the heart rate and the soul :-).  

I have never seen so many varieties of wildflowers as I did this year in CB and the Rustler's Gulch trail did not disappoint.  Fields of yellow, purple, some of the biggest Columbine I've ever seen, red and white paintbrush, monk's hood, lupine, assorted sunflower varieties.  It's near impossible to really describe the palette across the emerald green landscape.  We got chased back by thunder and the need to make sure we were back in time to pick up the boys from their day of rafting.  We survived the drive down the steep pitch of the jeep road, only to forget the importance of rolling up the car windows when fording a creek.  Ooops!  As Renee described it, "Better than a water ride at Six Flags."  Thought for a minute I had a flat tire, but instead an easy fix to the plastic bumper only to discover the front license plate missing from the car.  Ooops!  A quick trip back to the creek did not yield a license plate - still have the back one and the registration and still trying to figure out what to do about this.  

But the story gets even better.  Renee said we should stop in the local mountain store, The Alpineer, to let them know I'd lost a plate just in case someone found it.  They recommended that I call the local radio station because they announce lost & found twice daily!  Seriously?  Yes!  So I called the station, told him my story and was asked to call the DJ.  I did as I was told, gave him the scoop, lost license plate on the road to Rustler's Gulch, name and contact info.  Call back later or tomorrow and if anyone finds it they'll call you.  Really?  Really.  They shopkeeper at one of the local liquor stores told Renee he'd heard the announcement and noted he too had lost at plate at Rustler's Gulch - never recovered.  It really wasn't that deep or treacherous!

I finally got to run Snodgrass - a famed trail that Renee had oft talked about.  It was hard - uphill to start and some good steep pitches but it ran through an Aspen Grove and had awesome views of CB and Mt. CB.  My body wasn't happy to be running these hills again - still feeling the effect of BTMR - but my heart and soul wanted to be no other place.  We were starving when we finished and felt as though we'd earned ourselves pizza from The Secret Stash - another often talked of locale that I hadn't been too.  It satiated and lived up to it's reputation.

Wednesday morning Syd and I ran the Lower Loop - one of my all time favorite runs in CB.  In fact, here's last year's post.  It's a gentle single track along the slate river.  A reprieve that my tired and sore body needed after the beating I had apparently given it in recent weeks.  

It is always hard to leave the serenity of places like Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs for the chaotic reality of life in the Springs.  It's not that I don't love my life here, but somehow things slow down and what really matters - time with friends and family, adventures and a quiet soul resonate so much more clearly. 

On to the next adventure, a girls 14er weekend in Salida to attempt Mt. Princeton...oh, and a 14.5 mile "half marathon" on Vail Mountain this weekend.