The Williams Canyon & Rampart Range Road solo marathon

Welcome to my monthly update for June 2020!

I hope everyone has been well, avoiding sickness and maintaining mental and physical health.

I always like to have a few "big" running goals each summer; something to train for and something to challenge me as a runner. Yesterday, I did my first marathon-length run for this year.

I set out from Williams Canyon just as the sun was beginning to light the sky enough to see, a bit before 5:30am.

It wasn't long before I was climbing up past the castle-like rock structures that are the signature of Williams Canyon. It was quiet and peaceful this early in the morning.

Williams Canyon was full of lovely wildflowers!

At the Williams/ Waldo trail split, I stayed to the right on the trail, making my way up towards Rampart Range Road at the radio tower.

The sun coming up on the mountains was bright and warm as I neared the Williams/ Rampart junction.

And there it was, the radio tower and the road, and the major part of the day for me, a long uphill journey along the Rampart Range.

I felt pretty good and fresh still, so I stayed steady on the long, gradual ascent up the road. The views got better and better, and the sky was a perfect Colorado blue.

I caught a busy bee working on his pollination along the roadside.

Before 8 am, the sun was already shining at full strength on the road, and I stopped to apply sunscreen.

Then I kept pushing onward, and soon arrived at the Highway 24 overlook, which would be the high point of my run at around 9100 feet.

After a brief break for the panorama and selfie, I coasted downhill for the next couple miles.

Around mile 12, I started to feel the first "low" that many runners are familiar with during long runs. At least I didn't have too much longer before the turn-around. Near mile 12.5, I deviated from Rampart Range Road (300) onto road 303, a side road that afforded me distant views of the Reservoir through the charred trees.

I was feeling pretty crashy and ready to be done with it already at this point. But of course I was only halfway done! There was no getting out of it.

At least my return trip was almost entirely downhill, and luckily for me, the day had begun to cloud over, offering me some partial respite from the heat that can be very unforgiving on the highly exposed Rampart Range Road.

I found this nice little rock outcropping near mile 13. I pushed past it the first time, but after turning around at 13.1, I returned to the outcropping and took a moment's (or maybe 5 minutes) rest.

There were tons of big bumblebees around me, and I sat in their presence and listened to their humming as they busied on their important pollination work.

I stretched out my hamstrings, hoping that would help me with my downhill task ahead.

But I didn't delay too long - it was time to go - on the road again!

I started to feel a bit better as I worked the little uphill that I'd have to face before my long descent.

I stopped for a photo of these cool rocks. These rocks were the same ones that I had admired two and a half years ago, when I'd run from Balanced Rock to Woodland Park with Bailey, just two weeks after the new year in January 2018.

Drawing energy from the cool rocks, I continued my journey. Soon I arrived back at the memorial rock, which wasn't far from the overlook, and second time at the high point of the road.

The inscription on the memorial plaque reads, "Rampart Range Road, constructed by U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service, and Civilian Conservation Corps. Dedicated to your use and enjoyment, June 19, 1938."

I was definitely using and enjoying the road! And now, with a long downhill ahead of me, I took some time to just coast.

I knew that I probably wasn't done with the tough moments, as a marathon-length run often involves many "highs" and "lows."

Sure enough, the sun began to come back out more as some of the cloud cover cleared, and the heat beating down on me began to wear me out more.

I kept counting down one mile at a time. One of the sayings I'd heard long ago resonated, "run the mile you're in." A monumental task is easier when broken down into actionable segments.

Finally, I arrived back at the Williams Canyon trail near the radio tower. I thought this part might be easier than sticking to the hot road, but this section ended up being the hardest part of my day. The heat in the canyon was muggy and sticky, and the rocky downhill trail was abuse to my legs after 23.5 miles.

I just kept thinking "I'm almost done." And finally, I arrived back at the base of Williams Canyon.

What a ride! I had done 26.5 miles with 3800 feet elevation gain. And although there were definite moments of struggle, the majority of the run was spent thinking how glad I was to be in the great outdoors in Colorado, enjoying the day and just being thankful for this existence.

Thanks to my husband for allowing my outing and keeping the kids occupied during my adventure!

And thanks for reading. I am looking forward to planning a few more interesting long runs this summer. I'm tossing around the idea of going back to Lost Creek, or maybe South Slopes on Pikes. Anything that's fairly quiet/ isolated and that I can manage to do solo and self-supported.

Keep on going, that's all we can do for now!

It has been about a month since my last update. I've been keeping to a twice-weekly outdoor running schedule, with supplemental training on the treadmill.

I'm always looking for times when trails are empty. Additionally, I use my buff as a face mask in case I do come across anyone on the trails. Without further ado, I'll share the places we have been checking out this last month.

***

On April 30th, we toured the South Platte River corridor on our way north, stopping briefly to check out the rushing river.

We soon ended up in the small town of Bailey, CO, near the north entrance to the Lost Creek Wilderness. I started my run from the north trailhead for the Brookside-McCurdy trail. I really wish I had more time to explore this place! I made a little over 9 miles (out and back) on the winding, woodsy trail that serves as an access point for the Lost Creek.

This trail in particular was quite a climb, and I reached 9500 feet before I had to turn around. There were still some pretty large snow patches as I got higher up. The Lost Creek Wilderness is filled with tall aspens and distant views.

I'm hoping to be able to return to this trail for a longer run sometime this summer. Due to our late-in-the-day timing, I only passed three hikers in the first mile on this run and saw no one else the whole time.

***

On May 4th, we went to Chatfield State Park. This large reservoir sits just south and west of Denver. Since this was a Monday, it was relatively quiet compared to other times of the week. I circumnavigated the whole reservoir on the paved path. It was a somewhat windy day, but the sun was out and I got really sunburnt! A reminder that the Colorado summer sun is already upon us.

I was very happy to complete the whole 11.4 mile loop, with awesome views of the res below when running across the dam.

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On May 8th, we went to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, northeast of Denver. There are several parts to this refuge, including a bison area (no foot trails in that part of the refuge!)

First we looked at the bison, then I ran a short 6 mile out-and-back on the lovely trails (not in the bison area.)

Then I hiked with Alex and the kids a little more (bonus mileage!)

Then we drove the wildlife loop (one way drive) as the sun was setting, seeing plenty of deer, rabbits, and antelope.

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On May 12th, we made another return trip to Columbine Open Space. This quiet single-trail open space near Larkspur has been a good place to go on evenings when there aren't many people out.

This time, I made exactly 10 miles by running to the Frink Creamery Trailhead and back.

I never saw another person this day. Even the Frink Creamery Trailhead was empty.

***

On May 16th, Alex took me to the eastern Rock Island Trail outside of Falcon, CO, and dropped me off for a 10 miles out-and-back towards Peyton. This was an interesting evening, as storms lingered over Colorado Springs, but I avoided any rain where I was running.

I crossed the Historic Black Squirrel Creek Bridge midway through the run.

Although really flat, this run was challenging for me.

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On May 20th, I set out at sunset at Spruce Meadows Open Space. I got a couple sunset photos, but soon the stars were out. Amazingly, the night was so clear that I could almost, but not quite, see the milky way. It was very windy, and this probably contributed to the clear air and open skies.

I made 7 miles on that clear and windy night.

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Finally, last night, May 23rd, I set out late from Spruce Mountain Open Space. The last car was just leaving as we arrived, and I had the nighttime trails to myself.

I ran an 8 mile loop, which I'm counting as this year's Memorial Weekend run.

***

It's been an interesting month! As it rains and pours right now, and we can expect snow in the mountains again tonight and tomorrow, I ponder what else this summer might bring as far as social distancing runs.

I'm thankful that I've been able to see new places and get some time in the outdoors this past month. I have a few big ideas for longer runs for this summer, which may or may not happen. But at least I can dream!!

Keep dreaming, friends. And stay safe out there, so I can see you all out on the trails again!