Mt. Falcon - Ups

Solid run up the big climb from the lower lot, then sort of dragged myself around a big loop up top.

Time: 1:45
Distance: 10.3 miles
Body: Good
Effort: Hard
Weather: Warm and sunny

Heading over to Mt. Falcon in Morrison from an appointment in Englewood, I had that feeling indicating a good run was in the cards.

After lacing up the shoes, and setting off up the Castle Trail, it was confirmed...I was feeling pretty good. I hung a right on the Turkey Trot Trail and wound my way up through the early steep stuff. Still feeling good. I cruised up Turkey Trot to the intersection with the Castle Trail. Hit a split here - 19:20. Maybe I could PR the climb from the lower lot to the picnic structure.

I was focused on quick turn-over and a short stride, whizzing right by a half-dozen mountain bikers on the way up. Ran hard up the last switchback to the picnic shelter and looked down at the watch - 32:32. Not a PR.  I was 1:13 off of my best, which is 31:19, set a while back when I was chasing Scott Jaime up that climb. Still, given the last couple of months of modest-at-best running, I was happy to feel good up that long (actually, just three miles - and 1,400 o' elevation gain) climb.

From the picnic shelter, I ran a bit more up the Castle Trail, took a left on the Meadow Trail and ran a big loop via the Parmalee and Castle Trails (counter-clockwise).  I definitely mis-judged the length of the Parmalee Trail and ended up being out there far longer than planned. The last 1.5 miles (or so) down Turkey Trot were tough (and slow) in the fading light, especially since I was still wearing prescription sunglasses.

I'm still shooting for a sub-30 to the picnic shelter. I'm going to get that by the time the snow flies.

2,172 feet o' elevation gain.