Mid-May 2021 Update

Lately, I've only been updating monthly at the end of each month. But this month is moving along swiftly and I felt that I had enough to share in order to justify a mid-month update!

I haven't looked at the books and calculated my mileage for the month this far yet, but I have a sense that I'm right on track for getting between 140-150 miles this month, so just on track (or a little bit ahead) for my 2021 goal of 1700 miles this year.

I have a positive feeling about this summer! The weather is warming up and the outdoors are calling me! As many of you know, my husband has been extra cautious during the pandemic, to the extent that he wouldn't allow me to run outdoors in the neighborhood or go on regular runs for the last year, meaning a lot of overall treadmill mileage for me.

I stuck it out, but I really don't enjoy treadmills, and it's been a little bit like a year in prison when I couldn't just lace up and go for a run whenever.

Finally, a couple mornings ago, he gave me the go-ahead for an early morning jog in the outdoors. I finally feel free! I've been missing regular running so much. Just the ability to leave out my door and connect to the many wonderful local trails gives me optimism. I'm fully vaccinated and I still wear a mask when I run (a gaitor), but I got tired of sitting inside and being jealous of people walking their dogs outside because I was not allowed to simply go out of my door.

That said, I'll still make an effort to go outside when fewer people are out, meaning early mornings or later evenings, and I'll still not be allowed to go on highly populated trail runs like Barr trail or the Incline. But just the ability to be able to run is amazing.

As one of my first outdoor local adventures, I did a big loop around Palmer Park. Coming in on Greencrest trail from the far southeastern corner of the park, I climbed the eastern bluffs as the sun began to rise.

Rock formations near the eastern side of the park at sunrise.

Rock formations and wildflowers at sunrise.

The wildflowers are blooming in the park, decorating the ground with small splashes of pastel colors.

I followed Greencrest trail all the way along the eastern edge of the park until I reached the northeastern corner by Lazyland.

There was a small layer of low-laying fog in the northeastern valley. It was fresh and wonderful, and I breathed deeply in the forest air. This is what I'd been missing for the last year when I stuck (mostly) to the treadmill!

Low-laying fog in the northeastern valley.

I then followed the Lazyland trail for a short time until the connection with the Yucca trail.

The sun was shining its early morning golden rays in the area near Lazyland.

Sunbeam in the morning at Lazyland.

Rock formations near Lazyland in the morning golden rays.

I ascended and topped out the northern mesa of Palmer Park. I then followed the winding Yucca trail all the way until its connection with Templeton trail on the WEST side of the park. (Yucca trail has several connections with Templeton trail throughout the park.)

The view east, near the top of the mesa (Yucca trail.)

The view west from Yucca trail near the northwestern side of the park. Views of Garden of the Gods in the lower right corner, and a thin strip of clouds across the southern part of the mountains. 

I descended the winding trail on the west side of the northern mesa, adjoining Templeton trail for a short while, until the intersection with the Palmer Point trail. Another short descent, and then I was running through the beautiful field on the western side of the park.

Palmer Point trail along the western side of the park.

A view back at Pikes Peak from the Palmer Point trail near the stables. 

I wrapped up my run by exiting the park by the Mark Reyner stables, with a peek back at the peak, now fully lit in the bright Colorado bluebird day.

Total mileage for the run was 11.4 miles, including some extra miles during the warm-up and cool-down mileage from my house.

I have missed the simple joy of fresh air and morning sunlight!! I can't wait to do more lovely runs like this soon.

And hopefully, a big marathon-length challenge for me coming up soon (still in planning stages at the moment.)

Can't wait to do (and share) more!  See you all on the next adventure.