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 🌞!

Fri, April 21

9 miles on the Legacy Loop today. Mostly flat, nice smooth mileage.

***

Sat, April 22

35 minutes on the row machine at a moderate effort.

***

Sun, April 23

A trio of summits this morning with Dionne!

We started on the Incline, which was a little snowy.

I started at a light jog today, trying to shave seconds from my time where I could. Again like last week, I didn't look at my timer at all until I was on the last step. At the top, I cheered.

My time today was 31:59, shaving another 25 seconds off from last week.

Summit one: the Incline.

The clouds coming off the mountains created a distant layer above the city, making for very picturesque views.

After the Incline, we descended Barr Trail and joined into the Intemann Trail.

Then we connected to the Red Mountain Trail, which I hadn't ever been on before.

I felt good on the nice, runnable uphill trail.

The quick trip to the summit showcased some lovely red rocks and great views of the Incline behind us.

Summit two: Red Mountain.

We returned back to the Intemann Trail and continued on towards the last summit of the day, Iron Mountain.

The trail up Iron Mountain was clear and smooth and very runnable.

Summit three: Iron Mountain.

The summit has nice views of the surrounding area.

After Iron Mountain, we jogged back to the school. I added a couple extra miles on the Intemann Trail, to round out my day to exactly 14 miles. And quite a nice amount of uphill throughout the day.

Both Red Mountain and Iron Mountain were new summits for me, so thanks to Dionne for showing me them!!

And I'm really happy that my Incline time has gone down each time I've done it this year. I know for a fact I've never done it under 30 minutes before, and I'm only 2 minutes off from that goal now!

***

Wed, April 26

Dumbbell front raises, lightweight, unilateral & bilateral.

***

Thur, April 27

45 minutes on the row machine, trying my best to keep my form, engaging my core.

***

Fri, April 28

8.4 miles with Pippin today. It's been so busy lately I haven't had much of a chance to run with Pippin! 

He was excited to get on a variety of our favorite trails.

The moon was rising over the bluffs as we made our way back.

Later, I did lightweight dumbbell overhead presses. I tried to go slowly and focus every part of the exercise, feeling the different muscle fibers acting throughout the motion.

I followed those up with some lying leg raises, trying to engage the lower core.

***

Sat, April 29

I didn't want to do too much today and wear myself out before my Sunday Runday long run. But in the evening, I could tell Pippin was wanting to get out for a run, and I'd probably be too tired after my run tomorrow to take him.

So out we went!! I decided to treat it as a back-to-back run with tomorrow.

We stayed on the roads. Not long after we entered Palmer Park and began our climb up the mesa, Pippin spotted another dog ahead on the trail. This dog was attached to a cyclist and both were making their way casually uphill.

Pippin and I had the same playful thought. Let's race them!! I felt his energy surge as I encouraged him to pull on.

The dog pulling the cyclist spotted us. For a short time, the dog and cyclist sped up a little. 

But so did we!!

I was quite breathless by the top of the canyon, but as I looked back - we were way ahead of the cyclist/dog duo. I always have a fun time racing cyclists uphill.

As we parted ways with the cyclist and ran along the long flat part of the road along the mesa, we witnessed a beautiful sundown.

We watched the lovely clouds at the overlook for just a moment, returning home before it got too dark. We ran 5.9 miles total, and a nice little push on the uphill.

This was the perfect pre-fatigue run for tomorrow, since I'll be running with Dionne in less than 10 hours.

***

Sun, April 30

Dionne and I set out at 5:30, early enough to catch a great sunrise from the trail as we jogged Intemann Trail to the base of Barr Trail.

We jogged casually for our warm-up until the trailhead. We wouldn't be doing the Incline today, instead opting for the longer mileage of climbing the Ws on Barr Trail.

At the Barr trailhead, we began our climb. I wanted to do a steadily ascending pace at least until No Name Creek.

I didn't push the pace too much, but just tried to stay consistent.

We regrouped at No Name, and Dionne continued on with me for a little while longer before turning around.

Then I continued to Barr Camp.

The trail wasn't icy at all until the last half-mile, upon which point is was too lazy to spike up for the uphill, but I was quite thankful to have the spikes for the downhill later.

Today I got the opportunity to go into the cabin and meet the newest (within the last couple years) caretakers, Robert and Carla.

It was nice to be back at this little woodsy refuge in the mountains, enjoying coffee and conversation.

After I lingered around a while, I decided to go uphill just a bit further on the trail before turning around. I donned spikes for this part. The trail was normal winter conditions from Barr Camp up - packed down snow that is easily traversed with spikes. 

I bypassed the 6.5 mile marker and climbed up past the next switchback. I climbed a rock off the trail for an overlook before I would turn around.

From my perch, I saw an approaching hiker, and what do you know, it was previous Pikes Peak Marathon winner Alex Nichols. He was headed for the summit. He had a lot more snow to deal with today than I did two weeks ago with my summit!

After the short break at the turn around, I jogged as smoothly and continuously downhill as I could, making good time.

The skies were beautiful blue and the trail was easy. I did have to pass quite a few people after the Incline connector.

Classic Colorado blue skies 💙 over Cameron's Cone on my way down Barr.

I skipped the bus and ran all the way back to the high school, and I jogged up the stairs at the school to bring my total distance to 19.1 miles for the day.

After I got home, I still did several sets of push-ups to round out the day. I felt surprisingly still energetic after a 25 mile back-to-back weekend.

***

Wow, what another great spring week in Colorado!!

I have to thank Dionne for all the long training lately, we have been getting out on the trail and getting those miles in!

And I feel good that I'm able to incorporate weights and bodyweight workouts in pretty comfortably, and rowing.

I'm looking forward to summer more and more!! See you all out there soon!