“Paradise is where I am.”
- Voltaire
This is how I felt all weekend: driving south of Steamboat Springs and through the mountains of Vail. I can’t believe I live here. Salida was incredible and I love the southern mountains. The river was unbelievable in its beauty and character. The canyons we rafted through (Brown Canyon) was incredibly picturesque.
Bike:
1 hour ride along the Yampa and back through Steamboat Blvd. My left knee began to hurt half way through the ride. I didn’t feel great during the ride. I forgot that going up the blvd in the direction we went in is all uphill. Ugh.
Run:
Uranium Mine Trail. What is weird is that the run last time to the river was 23.10. This time it took me 21.00 and I felt horrible the entire run. Back was even faster because normally I walk down the steep, sketchy parts but decided to run it. At the end my joints hurt but I felt better than the run up.
Soak:
Needed to soak in the medicinal hot springs after all of this.
Tomorrow:
Must do a long run!!!! No excuses.
Run:
30 minute run this morning. Run around Anglers. Felt so much better going up that hill than 3 months ago. Running with Abbey is not fun.
Hip is sore today. Again, not fun but I can’t not run. Icing it much of the day. Hot Tub later.
1st day of Town Challenge.
Swim:
Early Evening
“How can anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company? Its beyond me. “
Run:
5K race in Hayden. I think I ran better than the last race. It was very warm.
Hike:
Hiked for 2 hours up Elk Park and then up Bear Creek. There was some snow.
Yesterday May 19th - was on off day. I decided I needed a day off. However, Abbey needed a long hike and we hiked on Elk Park Trail. It was much drier than 3 weeks ago. The first section which is usually just a mud trail was actually quite dry. There was a bit of snow pack just about a 1/2 mile from the Bear Creek trail head. I think this weekend we will go back with hiking boots and lunch and hike farther.
Today:
Run:
I ran 3 miles to Spring Creek. The sun felt so good. I’m going to run the 3 mile Cog race in Hayden on Saturday instead of the bike race.
Hike:
Uranium Mine Trail.
I’m meeting Karen for an 11 mile run today. I was going to “try” doing all 11 miles. Then this morning as I’m reading e-mail I see this quote: “Do or do not, there is no try.” Yoda Jedi master, from the “Star Wars” series.
Hmmm.
Karen cancelled and I ran 8 miles to Spring Creek. Crossed 3 or 4 bridges. 1 hour 15 minutes. A RECORD!
A bit sore after but the run was good.
This afternoon went on a road bike ride with Tara to Catamount. 22 miles in 1 hr 30 mins. Weather is finally good.
Run:
At 11:00 attempted to run for an hour: down to Spring Creek, up Spring Creek, and home. Ran out of energy at the end of the dirt road at Spring Creek. Lost my umpf as my dad would say. Lesson: yogurt and a banana is not enough food prior to a run at 11:00.
The clouds are coming in and there is intermittent rain showers so I’m not sure if a bike ride is in the cards. I’m going to try, though.
Hike:
Hiked up Fish Creek to the beginning of the aspens. Its really muddy and wet. I haven’t been up there in a while and forgot that I should be wearing my Gore Tex hiking books; wore trail runners. Abbey found an elk leg so that was fun.
Swim:
Swimming was tough tonight. I think I need to take some lessons. I’m so out of breath on freestyle but as soon I use the leg floatation thingy I swim great. The water was much warmer today and it was a good work out. Although I was out of breath I swam faster than normal.
Tomorrow: Run in am, Bike after work. I need to try to get as many miles in to prepare for
Saturday’s “Where the He_ _ is Maybell 60 miles bike ride.
“Running is a road to self-awareness and reliance. You can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet. But when you are through, exhilarated and exhausted, at least for a moment everything seems right with the world”
Run:
After not running for 3 days, I finally ran this morning. I got it in my head last night that I would start running in the morning. Since I wake up at 5:30am to feed Abbey, I thought that I might as well start stretching and go for a run so there is no excuse at the end of the day. That seems to be the problem last week.
Now it’s a non-issue.
I ran down to the Howelson Hill area looking for trails. Maybe tomorrow I’ll run the snowshoe course if it’s not too muddy. Today I really wanted to go back over to Spring Creek but I think I’ll keep it varied so I don’t get bored and actually look forward to running.
Run #2:
Took the dogs to the Uranium Mine trail and decided at the last minute to run it. I felt really good and ran more than 1/2. The beginning ascent was tough and walked a lot of it but really charged up after 10 minutes. Coming down was hard on my knees but all in all a good run; image that.
Bike:
The weather is great: 65 degrees and sunny. Biked 11.5 miles due to black clouds looming in the distance and low energy after the second run.
Bike:
I attempted to bike to Catamount to check out the course. It was 53 degrees when I left the house in bike shorts, long sleeve Cloudveil jersey (my favorite; it wicks like a champ) and a vest. I will not wear shorts unless it is 60 degrees and sunny. The clouds were forming as I turned right off 131 instead of getting to CR18. Randy warned me about hypothermia.
Hike:
1 hour hike on the Uranium Mine Trail. It was a cold morning but sunny. Very loud woodpecker that sounded almost like a machine gun.
Pain:
I have a bit of pain in my knee (left). Not sure if it is from my run yesterday or from sleeping funny on it.
Run:
TBD; it’s early.
The beauty of working hard toward goals is what happens to our body and mind along the journey. We become stronger, faster, disciplined, positive, refined… as that goal becomes more into focus. Lock onto your dream, live it, breathe it, soak it up… and the dreamwill evolve into sweet reality.
Run:
I actually ran for an entire hour today. This was a huge training goal considering that I’m running the 1/2 marathon in 26 days. I felt really good, too. Ran to Spring Creek Trail to see if I should sign up for the Spring Creek Memorial Run in June. The trail was pretty moderate grade but turned around at the first big hill. I don’t think I can run uphill for 9 miles but maybe I’ll try it again. Then ran back on the trail by the high school. The last 15 minutes I ran my fastest pace.
Swim:
Didn’t swim that fast today. Mainly just concentrating on form and distance. It was great swimming in the sun until the big black clouds came in.
Hike:
1 hour hike to Uranium Mine Trail. The trail is getting less muddy and murky. Only one big snow pack left.
A good training day; I’m really happy about today. That may just be a first.
L.A.’s fine, the sun shines most the time
And the feeling is ‘lay back’
Palm trees grow, and rents are low
But you know I keep thinkin’ about
Making my way back
Well I’m New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I’m lost between two shores
L.A.’s fine, but it ain’t home
New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more
“I am,” I said
To no one there
An no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I am,” I cried
“I am,” said I
And I am lost, and I can’t even say why
Leavin’ me lonely still
Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of bein’ a king
And then became one
Well except for the names and a few other changes
I you talk about me, the story’s the same one
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I’ve tried, but it won’t let me go
And I’m not a man who likes to swear
But I never cared for the sound of being alone
Charles Dickens: Please, sir, I’d like a martini.
Bartender: Sure thing. Olive or twist?
James Joyce: I’ll take a Guinness.
Bartender: So Charles Dickens was in here yesterday.
James Joyce: (drinks)
Bartender: And he asked for a martini and I said, “Olive or twist?”
James Joyce: (drinks)
Bartender: You see, it’s funny because he wrote a book called “Oliver Twist.”
James Joyce: What a shitty joke.
Ernest Hemingway: Gin.
Bartender: So Charles Dickens was in here two days ago.
Ernest Hemingway: Joyce already told me that story.
Franz Kafka: I’d like a mineral water.
Bartender: Olive or twist?
Franz Kafka: I can’t digest solid food.
Mark Twain: Give me a brandy.
Bartender: So Charles Dickens came in the other day and ordered a martini.
Mark Twain: Did he take an olive or twist? Ha ha ha!
Bartender: (tearful) You did that on purpose, didn’t you?
Virginia Woolf: I’ll take your second-best cognac and unadulterated experience.
Bartender: We don’t have that. This is a bar.
Virginia Woolf: Patriarchy! (drowns)
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