Thursday, January 6, 2011

Closing Out 2010

I've been negligent of late in keeping the blog up-to-date. Since this is a training log for me, I am doing a quick dump on the last week or so of running in 2010.


Thursday, December 23rd - 9 miles in 1:24.  Alderfer-Three Sisters.  Starting at the Dedisse Trailhead on Upper Bear Creek Road, I ran the outside loop of A-TS. This route has about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, great scenery and a nice mix of steep, rocky ascents and buttery-smooth, fast singletrack.

Friday, December 24th - 7.28 miles in 1:05. Meadow View Loop - Plus in Elk Meadow Open Space.  Easy cruiser.

Saturday, December 25th - 6.54 miles in 54 minutes. Easy holiday cruise around the basic Meadow View Loop in Elk Meadow Open Space.

Monday, December 27th - 8.62 miles in 1:24. Bergen Peak Upper Loop in Elk Meadow Open Space. 1,700 feet of elevation gain. Felt redeemed after this run as my last time up this route left me spent. Fitness is coming back, slowly. Started from the house and run up to upper parking lot via neighborhood access trail.

Tuesday, December 28th - 7.68 miles in 1:15. Evergreen Mountain and Alderfer-Three Sisters. Starting late (4:11 p.m.) from upper lot, I ran up Evergreen Mountain (took a few pics along the way) and paused at the summit to gaze at the Mt. Evans group to the west.  Full-on, beautiful view of this Front Range sentinel. High-tailed it down via the Evergreen Mountain Trail East, across Douglas Park Road and into Alderfer-Three Sisters. Ran up and over the hump by the Three Sisters rock formation.  Though darkness was upon me, I opted tack on a couple additional miles on the Bearberry Trail because I knew the trail was smooth (not much to trip on) and connected up to a similarly-smooth double-track. Pitch dark by the time I returned to the truck. Perfect. 1,300 feet of elevation gain.

Upper Meadow at Alderfer-Three Sisters - Evergreen Mountain in right-center

Looking west toward the Evans Group from the summit of Evergreen Mountain

Evans Group

Looking down the Summit Trail on Evergreen Mountain

Thursday, December 30th - 12 miles in 1:36. Upper Bear Creek Road. Met up way early with Steve F., Steve G. and Laurie to beat the expected afternoon snow. Ran 6 miles up this relatively flat road at an 8-8:30 pace. Picked it up on the return with 7 minute first mile, three at between 6:15 and 6:30 and an easy 7:30-8 minute mile as a cool-down. Ran the tempo stuff alone due to the need to stop for a bio break (what! doesn't anyone wait anymore?). This was my first attempt at any faster-paced running in a couple of months. Felt pretty good, all things considered. Lower ab was a bit tight, but OK.

Friday, December 31th - 6.05 miles in 1 hour. Meadow View Loop in Elk Meadow Open Space. Ran in fresh snow. There were a handful of footprints running from the upper lot to the junction with the Elk Ridge Trail. After that, I was following just two fresh sets of runner footprints. It twas very cold! I was wearing four layers up top, a pair of tights and a pair of running pants, gloves, a light face mask thing and a hat.



2 comments:

  1. Doing an uphill tempo on Lookout Mtn Tuesday @ 7am with Lucho if you're interested...

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  2. Headed to D.C. that morning (will be on kid duty before I hit the road). Keep my in the loop on future outings. If I weren't travelling...I'd have joined you.

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