May update so far! Pikes Peak summit on 05/07, and weekly workout log

The month of May is off to a quick start! My regular workouts for the first week of the month were as follows:

• May 1 - Mon - 35 minutes row machine.
• May 2 - Tue - 7.8 miles run; side lateral raises.
• May 3 - Wed - 50 minutes row machine.
• May 4 - Thu - 10 miles run.
• May 5 - Fri - 6.3 miles run; pull-ups.

Friday's run was with Pippin:

10k in the park with my pal, Pippin. ❤️

Saturday I took an active rest day, still doing a 3 mile walk with my daughter. That night, we went to Denver for the Denver Fashion Week show.

It was quite a fun evening, but I didn't get much rest on Saturday night, somewhere between 2 and 3 hours of sleep.

***

Dionne was running on low sleep as well when we met up on the morning of Sunday, May 7. We didn't have Incline reservations, so we just started at the base of Barr Trail for our summit attempt day.

I recall saying very early on, somewhere on the Ws, that I felt very strong and a summit was likely within reach for me today. Despite not sleeping much, at least I'd had a few solid hours. A little sleep deprivation training isn't a bad thing for an ultramarathon runner.

We made steady time all the way through Lightning Point.

I pushed the last half-mile to Barr Camp a little bit more. It was nice to stop in and see Karla and Robert again. They said there were a lot of folks headed to the summit today, so I'd be in good company.

After a snack and a chat, Dionne and I headed back out. We continued on towards Bottomless Pit junction before she had to turn around for the day.

I made a solid push for A-frame. When I arrived and looked up the gully, it looked not only possible, but actually easier than the time I had on my summit three weeks ago.

I left A-frame and began climbing the rocky slope directly upwards towards the summit. As I ascended, I got some of the same classic views as I did on my summit trip three weeks ago. There were still patches of snow this time, but they were more avoidable.

As I continued to climb the central gully, I looked over at the sweeping east face and saw a skier 😲 launching off!

It looked like he was having a bit of a tough time working around the very patchy snow.

Furthermore, I knew from crossing a few snowfields already that the snow was crunchy on top and nice for climbing, with a good amount of icy, rough grip. That's the exact opposite of what you want for skiing down, when you want soft powdery slick snow.

I didn't envy his descent! I took a few minutes to catch some photos before I turned my attention upwards again, back to the uphill grind.

There were a set of prints that crossed directly up the snowfields, climbing right towards 16 Golden Stairs. Someone had pre-trekked in the gully for me.

For the most part, I followed their tracks, but a few times they became too meandering and I cut directly up the slope instead. Sometimes I'd drop to my hands and dig into the snowfield, using my whole body to propel me upwards, like a snow spider.

The giant snowfields were broken by patches of bare ground.

A few giant gusts of wind tried to chill me, but I just climbed onward and upward.

Soon, I'd reached 16 Golden Stairs. This felt familiar 😁, as if I'd just been here 3 weeks ago!

There were icicles hanging on one of the rocks near the 16 Golden Stairs sign - just another small indicator of winter still hanging on at high altitude.

I took a few deep breaths and scrambled directly up from the sign to the summit. I made the summit in 4:04 moving time!! (I had taken longer with the breaks and stops at Barr Camp, etc.)

The snow at the very top was deep.

I tiptoed along the edge of the train tracks, not wanting to fall through the snow.

I safely reached the platform and got a summit photo! 😃

What another fun Pikes Peak summit trip!!

It was much easier today than it was three weeks ago, and I was much faster overall. I had also planned on a summit today (versus an impromptu summit last time), so I knew what to anticipate from the outset.

This time, the road was open, so I was able to get a ride back to town without needing to buy a train ticket, so that was a nice bonus!

Additionally, I had a little extra time to check out the museum this time around!!

The museum has tons of great information. I'm a total nerd for museums, so I'll have to head up the trail really early some day so I can spend an hour or two exploring and reading every sign in detail. (While simultaneously spending time at altitude, what could be better?)

The friendly folks who gave me a ride down from the summit were kind enough to drop me off at the Legacy Loop trailhead, so I was able to jog the 3 additional miles home, netting 13.7 miles and over 8600 feet of elevation gain for the day.

***

On Monday (May 8), the day after my Ascent, I met Sharon for intervals!

The timing had just worked out that I'd end up having back-to-back hard workouts, but that was ok with me.

We did the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4-mile workout; our typical short interval ladder.

Despite the hard climb yesterday, I felt better on each interval. My times were 2:04, 3:40, 5:28, 3:35, and 1:40.

I intentionally didn't try to overexert myself, although I did put forth a fair effort.

Our total distance for the day was 5.4 miles.

After our run, I did quite a few pull-ups and negatives.

***

On Monday night, I'd decided on a whim to sign up for the Pikes Peak Road Runners' Garden training runs which take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I was up early enough and felt good on Tuesday morning, so I decided to go!!

I did not pre-plan back-to-back-TO-BACK hard workouts. And I usually wouldn't recommend this!!!

But I enjoyed jogging with the group and staying at a consistent (as possible) pace on the 3-mile gate-to-gate interval.

It was a gorgeous day for the run, and fun to meet new people to run with. I enjoyed the social atmosphere! After the uphill push, we jogged easily back down the road and then through the Central Garden back to the parking lot, for a total of 9.7 miles for the day and 1700 feet of elevation gain.

***

For three hard days in a row, I didn't feel completely crumbled.

After the back-to-back-to-back workouts, I subsequently took a rest day, a cross-training day, and an easy day:

• May 10 - Wed -  rest.
• May 11 - Thu - 45 minutes row machine.
• May 12 - Fri - 6.6 miles run.

This Friday's easy morning run featured spectacular clouds above the mountains.

***

Today is now Saturday, May 13. I feel a little cumulative fatigue from all the hard work these last couple weeks, so I may just rest today. If I do work out, it won't be anything too intense (recovery level.)

What an eventful start to the month! I've just been having so much fun ☺️ with my return to the mountains 🏔️😁!

Quite a bit of snow has capped the summit in white in just the last few days, so summiting might not be possible for a while! Glad I've been getting some early spring adventures in this year.

I'm simultaneously thankful for all that I've been able to do already, and also very much looking forward to all there is to see, experience, and adventure this summer 🌞!