Friday, November 16, 2012

The Simple Things

I don't run in the morning very often. Family/work obligations typically get in the way.  I'd have to get up so damn early to get in a run before it's time to herd kids...  But, today, I had to use running as my AT (alternate transportation) after I dropped a car off at the repair shop.

So, I ran home from the repair shop by way of Elk Meadow Open Space. Just an easy cruise, but it was great to be out on a warm(ish) morning. Feels good to have the run done before 9 a.m.  Got to remember that.

The simple things...

Looking up Noble Meadow in Elk Meadow Open Space.
Hoping to sneak out Saturday morning for a few early miles with the crew over at Woody's place.  Two mornings in a row?  It could happen.


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Rare Thing

Wait!  It can't be! The kids have to be in school on Monday, and it's a bank holiday/day off of work?  Really?

I'd heard about days like this.  It's sort of like vacation.

After a bit of work Monday morning at a bagel shop in Golden (couldn't help it...), I headed up Golden Gate Canyon to the state park of the same name.

After paying the obligatory park fee ($7), I headed over to the Nott Creek Trail parking lot and headed out into the cold wind for 14 miles of up and down.

I ran the Mountain Lion, Burro and Snowshoe Hare Trails, tagged the summit of Windy Peak (aptly named on this day) and made one wrong turn (+1 mile).  I didn't see another soul until about a mile before finishing up.

The trails were in good shape, clear in the sunny areas, and covered by an inch or two of dry snow in the shade and on north-facing slopes.

Good day.

Dude's Fishing Hole, on the Snowshoe Hare Trail
View from the summit of Windy Peak.
Atop Windy Peak. Just call me Ray. 
Mountain Lion Trail.
Lots of first tracks today.


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Running with Animals (and Pirates)

After a six-mile effort at his school's Fun Run fundraiser this fall, my son has taken a nascent interest in running, so he signed up to join the High Altitude Pirates running club here in Evergreen.  The club is run by the P.E. teacher from one of the local elementary schools. Kids from the high school XC team help lead the Tuesday/Thursday workouts.  And there's junk food after the group runs.

Yesterday, while jP was running with the other kids, I did a few laps at the high school track. Unfortunately, the group run was shorter than usual, so I just had time for a mile warm-up and 2x1 mile at just under 6, a whopping one 200m interval and a 400m cool down.  Sigh.

This was my first time at a track in months. The 6:00 pace felt "comfortably hard,"and I was reminded regularly about how infrequently I run a consistent flat route at a quick pace here in the hills at 7,600 feet.  I hope to get in more of this work through the winter.

As jP and I kicked the soccer ball around the sweet turf field, another runner took to the track to get in a bit of exercise.

Elk intervals at the Evergreen High School track
This big feller was busy keeping a noisy harem of cows and yearlings together. They managed to stop traffic on the local road for a good 10 minutes. Great fun to watch.

Next up for jP (and me) is a Thanksgiving 5K. Got to put that Pirate training to work!