What a glorious day in the mountains!
Woke up at 4:30 in our tent to a train passing right by our campsite...no wonder the site wasn't taken! But it was perfect timing because I was itching to get out for a run.
Ran from 5 - 7 am - We were camping by the moffat tunnel at about 9200 Feet - I ran up the road a mile until the wilderness area single track started, which was simple phenomenal trail. I ran into a couple huge Elk in the pre-dawn which was kind of cool, they were about 100 feet off and just ran across the trail and off into a gully.
I was just out to take it easy and run enjoyably through the mountains. I couldn't help stopping to snap pictures and take in the beauty. Did about 8 miles with about 2600 feet ascent. All really easy paced...14 something miles was my overall average which included all my stopped time enjoying the scenery. Enjoyed the climbs and the descents quite a bit, really just loved being out in the mountains running around in the pre-dawn and then sunrise. I'm not a morning person AT ALL - except when I'm in the mountains, then I can hardly wait unitl its light enough to get out and bike or run or fish or whatever it is...mornings are so amazing in the mountains.
Ran with my nathan hydration pack which I really like a lot, thanks for the tip Jon - I don't even notice I'm wearing it because its so high on the back and light, and it packs 70 oz. of water...I love having ample water.
After I got back, we took down our camp and took Nan down to start her race.
She did amazing as usual...you can read her report - she ran 15 super hilly miles at about 9000 Feet elevation in like 6:28/mile pace...1:36. She's crazy fast. She got beat by a lady Named Nuta who did a 2:24 marathon at chicago and has been pro for a while. Although, Nan did beat Nuta in the Bolder Boulder a few weeks ago. Nuta had the advantage in this race though because she trained specifically on the course and had won it the year before. It was fun to watch the race, Nan certainly gave her some stiff competition.
Then the absolute highlight of the day was doing the family fun race with the kids. I ran with Breanne, my 4 year old, who ran the entire mile, and just loved it. She was so proud of herself and her metal for finishing. And my 2 year old even ran/got carried by Nan, for a half mile and was THRILLED with getting to pick a prize and a metal. Abe also ran it much faster than Breanne and I, they all loved it, and I think I loved it more. Its so much fun to see the kids getting excited about running and camping and life in general.
Oh, and then I got home to a GORGEOUS new mt. bike on my front porch...does this day ever stop!! (sorry, runners, I may lose you here unless you were/are a biker too). I got the major hookup on a dealer cost on a Fuji 29er outland full suspension with sram XO components...a totally sweet set up. I have to admit, since I'm a lot more into running these days, the whole part about the cost and the gear required for biking doesn't do it so much for me anymore, and is actually kind of a nuisance. But I also admit I was pretty stoked to put the bike together for the sake of getting out and hitting some trails.
And, I must say, it did not let me down. The challenge with biking is that if it is going to be reallyfun, you really need good gear, which costs a lot. But with the right gear, biking is fantastic stuff. No more beat up 10 year old bike means you will see me mixing in a lot more mt. bike rides on the trails I'm running this summer. It was such a blast riding for an hour and a half this afternoon up and down some crazy steep stuff, just pouring sweat by the buckets on the way up, and bombing the down hills. Tons of fun!
I was so ready for a saturday like that after a busy week of work (and 12 hours of community service which was putting a damper on my morning workout routine)
Here's some pics from the day:
Before sunrise, and before starting to really climb on the early run
Sunrise in the mountains
Cool pond near one of the high points
Coming down, gorgeous day, awesome trail
One of the many bridges along the trail, I love running back and forth across rivers, its always fun.
Often the trail was a river, and it felt great getting soaked - I love how my roclites held up with getting completely soaked, even early in the run, it never bothered me once, they drain really well.
Looking back at the tunnel where the trains go through the mountain here.
Start of Nans race
Right after they started, Nan going out strong (I think she realized after a little too strong perhaps)
Breanne absolutely loving her first mile race
Ali pretty thrilled with her metal and her prize, she couldn't stop talking about running either, pretty funny.
Biking at White Ranch, why have I not ridden or run this trail before now??? 15 minutes away and absolutely awesome!
Just look at the views from the white ranch trail, and this doesn't do it justice
Rob Davis, now there is a dude who can ride a bike, I was seriously in awe at the crazy technical stuff he was able to ride that I had no chance on...I have to bow down to him on the technical riding scene.
