Wednesday, January 1, 2025

From the early autumn to the icy winter: The last few months of 2024

It's been, once again, quite some time since I've updated.

With the end of the year near, I'd like to do two separate posts - this one for the photos and story, and another simply summarizing the data from the year in running.

It's been quite the last few months. Here is a link to my last post, but to summarize, I spent a portion of the early part of the year in Arizona.

In late September, I returned to Arizona for one more time this year, to stay with my dad. It was great to spend this time with him.

In late October, after I'd returned home to Colorado, my dad passed away at the age of 85. 

We had a conversation before his passing where he had said he didn't think he had much time left, but he wanted me to continue exploring and adventuring and see as much as I could in this world.

In his memory, I share the last few months of my year, beginning where I left off in the last post:

***

Before my folks left town, we had a family picnic at N. Cheyenne Cañon.


It was nice for my kids, who are growing bigger every day it seems, to see their grandparents.

We went to the Labor Day Lift-Off in Colorado Springs and the Balloon Glow at night.

Since I enjoy doing long runs for celebrating most holidays, Pippin and I did our new longest distance ever on Labor Day. We ran up to Lake Moraine, which is on the south slopes of Pikes Peak.


The trail that goes directly to the lake was open and I enjoyed checking that out.

Pippin did so well for his new longest distance, and we had such a perfect day together. The Captain Jack's trail is the perfect grade/ difficulty for on-leash canicross, and we cruised together easily. I felt so in sync with him.

As we were starting out on the Seven Bridges trail, I ran into Doug and he mentioned Bailey was in town.

We got in touch and did a run together a few days later. Their dogs came along too!


It was such a fun time running with three humans and three dogs. Thanks for joining me for this fun one, Bailey & Doug!

***

Before I left for Arizona for the final time this year, I raced the only race I would run this year, the Pony Express.


This year's course was 18 miles, and it was a very challenging day for me. I mentally prepared for the giant uphill in the last two miles, only the last two miles came two miles later than I expected 😂! (The course was listed as 16 miles).

A few days later, we did a family walk up in Idaho Springs to catch some of the classic leaf-peeping colors.



***

I left to Arizona in late September to stay with my father for a few weeks.

When I arrived, I had time for one short desert run.

I went to the Goldfield Mountains, and was pleasantly surprised to find some nice singletrack trails winding through this part of the Tonto National Forest.








I reveled in the classic desert scenery, enjoying the sun rising on the tan, yellow, and orange hues of the Sonoran desert.

My remaining time in Arizona was spent with my dad. I also did short daily pool lap swims before the heat of the day.


My mom returned from her vacation after about three weeks, and Alex drove to pick me up. We would drive back through Las Vegas, spending a few days before heading back home.

***

During our time in Las Vegas, I got the chance to do Turtlehead Peak again. I climbed this mountain last year, and had a blast.

The desert did not disappoint, with whispy clouds accenting the vibrant blue skies.












I wasn't quite as fast as last year on this extremely hot day. But my heat training from earlier in the year helped me out, and I summited Turtlehead for fantastic views of the entire desert valley in all directions.

That evening, we walked the strip and saw the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. There is a new display inside of the Bellagio that is especially intriguing, with a mythical forest scene complete with giant mushrooms, dragonflies, and fairy houses.



***

We got back to Colorado, and Pippin and Mylo were still staying with us, so I continued to train lots of mileage with my canine teammate.

Near the end of October, my dad went to the hospital. Sadly, he would never recover from the illness that landed him there.

In a way, the next few weeks were just blurred. I did continue working and running, but every day fell into the next so quickly.

A large amount of snow fell in early November, and we got our fill of snowmen, snowballs, and runs through deep powder.


Then, after the storms had passed, on a clear and warm day in mid-November, we buried my father.


I will forever miss sharing my adventures with him, but I am so glad for the time that I was able to spend with him - both earlier this year, and throughout my life.

***

As the end of November loomed, I still had Pippin. I was so thankful for his presence on my daily meditative runs.

I planned a long one with him, and we made it to the overlook on Rampart Range Road - a really successful day, over 20 miles.




I knew I might not have him too much longer, as Mylo was finally in the process of finding a place to live in the Denver area.

Our 20-mile day to the overlook and back was the easiest 20 miler I've ever run.

***

In early December, we went to the Parade of Lights in Denver.


Then, Mylo moved to Aurora, finally finding a place to live so he didn't have to commute from the Springs in the winter. And with him went Pippin - I was on my own for runs from now on!

So I planned a solo long run in the North Cheyenne Cañon area, and set out on a warm day.

However, on the Pipeline trail far into the forest, the trail became a complete mess of slush. There were feet and feet of snowdrifts under some sections of trail, and a crusty, icy top that I broke through with each step.


It wasn't long before my feet completely froze, and I began to get stressed out.

I called Alex and he rescued me, driving all the way up Old Stage road to pick me up where it meets 379. Even getting through this section of road on foot was nearly impossible, but I made it to Old Stage and made it out of this adventure without any frostbite.

Nonetheless, I found that the conditions in the mountains this year are terrible, even with gear and preparation, and I'm glad I abandoned my long run attempt before any permanent damage. I couldn't help but feel that I would have turned around before I got in too deep if I'd had Pippin - but without him, I didn't take full measure of how I was feeling and pushed too far.

***

I'd have a chance for redemption, however, because about a month after he left, Pippin was coming back for Christmas!

While Mylo went out of state, we got to watch Pippin, and I took advantage of our few days together to head back to Rampart, which has much better conditions than N. Cheyenne Cañon this winter.

This time, we made it to a small trail called Grassy Saddle which is past mile marker 9 on the road.






We got a total over 18 miles, and Pippin was glad to have a visit. I'm glad I will still be able to see my training buddy occasionally! As summer comes around, maybe I'll even be able to take him on some fourteeners.

Pippin went back home to Aurora, and I felt more comfortable that he knows he'll still be able see me - I didn't want him to feel like I abandoned him, after all our many runs together.

On the last day of the year, Dionne invited me to do a short morning jog with her. It was really nice to catch up, and end the year on a positive note. And to look forward to more runs with friends in 2025!

***

As the end of the year approached, I reflected back on how much had happened in just the last few months.

The end of the year was full of sadness, but also full of hope and love. I appreciate and all the things I have been able to do with my family and friends this year. Even in the difficult moments, there is so much to be thankful for in this world.

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