Thursday, 12/08

A short 5.2 mile run, with 900 feet elevation. I got a little nervous that it's already Thursday and I hadn't run since Sunday.

I do really want to make 1500 miles this year at least.

Instead of committing to several longer runs in December, I decided to chip away at the mileage when I can instead.

It was really gusty and windy atop the mesa! At least that Colorado sun was warm on me, keeping me from freezing too much.

Sweeping views and big winds atop the mesa in Palmer Park.

***

Friday, 12/09

Another beautiful day to take a little chunk of mileage out from what's remaining for the year for me.

5.8 miles today, with 750 feet elevation. 

Later that evening, I wanted to get a small amount of weight training done. I did several sets of dumbbell curls with the 15 lb dumbbells.

Then calf raises with the same dumbbells (for a total of 30 lbs) which is fairly light for calf raises, but good for stability work.

***

Wednesday, 12/14

Due to a lot of housework, there has been a lack of exercise for a few days.

Today I set out for a long run to make up for that!

I traveled westward along the Rock Island Trail, through Monument Valley and Sondermann Park.

At Mesa Rd, I decided just to run to the Garden all the way along Fontmore, and pop into the Niobrara Trail at the south end of the Valley Reservoir #2.

I like this "secret" entrance to the park as there is no parking area; it's just a footpath entrance. 

The view was instantly postcard-quality amazing!

The Garden of the Gods looked like a postcard when I entered the Niobrara Trail at Valley Reservoir #2.

The golden sun was shining on the meadow where the now-empty Valley Reservoir 2 once was. 

I climbed the very short way to High Point Overlook, and crossed the road to join the Buckskin Charlie Trail.

Top: Iconic rocks near High Point Overlook. Bottom left: The empty field that used to be the Valley Reservoir #2. Bottom right: Stacked rock with tree from Buckskin Charlie Trail.

The warm afternoon sun illumating the Garden of the Gods.

I connected from the Buckskin Charlie Trail to the Hamp Hut Trail, which eventually lead me to the Strausenback Trail.

Views and rock formations on the Strausenback Trail.

The Strausenback Trail winds up a few switchbacks and comes to a "top" that has a fantastic overlook of the mountains.

The lighting and the clouds were fantastic. The sun was beginning its slow descent. I captured a few shots of the sun streaks casting their steaming light in front of the mountains. 

The "top" of Strausenback Trail, with Pikes Peak in the background. 

I took a pause at the overlook to soak in the views, but I started to get chilled quickly, so I pressed onwards.

I descended Strausenback Trail to the road and picked up the Balanced Rock Trail.

I wanted some more mileage, so I decided to put in a little bit of mild road climbing on Rampart Range Road. When I arrived at the base of the road, I was pleasantly surprised that the winter vehicle closure was already in effect. But the snow was completely melted off from the previous storm.

I could run this smoothly-graded and gradually ascending dirt road without worrying about cars? Yes please!

I passed by the classic rock formations at the base of the road.

Further up, I watched the sunset creating orange clouds above Pikes Peak.

I ascended until the 4 mile marker. At this curve in the road, I got a great view down into the Garden and the city beyond.

I took a last look at the road, ever ascending further into the National Forest, then turned around and headed back towards home.

The last light was slowly fading away. It was a beautiful, calm downhill all the way back to the Garden.

When I got back to the paved road, I stayed in the pedestrian lane and returned to the central Garden, cutting right through the middle of North and South Gateway Rocks.

As I got to the main Garden of the Gods entrance, I began to get really cold. Especially my hands, which were chilled inside my gloves. 

I called Alex and had him pick me up a little early. I ended up getting 22.2 miles - just 4 miles short of a marathon! (And over 3500 feet of elevation gain).

If I'd run the last 4 miles home, I'd have gotten a full marathon. But since I'd set out with an initial goal of between 15 to 20 miles, I still counted this run as more than enough for the day.

And it knocked out a big chunk of my remaining mileage for the year.

I really enjoyed this run, and I got some really cool photos of the beautiful Garden of the Gods. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm so thankful to live in this amazing natural place!

***

Friday, 12/16

15 lb dumbbells:

* Overhead presses.

* Bicep curls.

I am planning on doing the Incline with Sharon and the Incline club on Sunday, and with having just done 22 miles two days ago, I decided to only train upper body today.

The Incline is a good alternative leg day workout, and I'm looking forward to it!

***

Overall this week has been good for getting mileage in! Only one weight session, but that was acceptable considering how busy life has been, between the holidays, catching up with friends, and re-arranging a couple rooms in our house.

Only 31 miles left to go for the year to attain 1500!