Wednesday, 06/15/11 Golden Bear Peak

Golden Bear Peak, 13,010 ft.
4.35 miles/2,012 vert./3:39 Garmin Data
Partners:  Allison and Sierra

Parked on the West side of Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel and started a bit before 8am.  As suspected, there is still a lot of snow in the basin, but made for easy Microspike cruising when frozen.  We headed directly up the partially melted steep hillside to the ridge just S. of the true summit of Golden Bear.  The true summit was just a short and easy walk from there.  Our plan was to head over to Hagar and the Citadel, but unfortunatly that was not in the cards today.  We just took our time, enjoying the clear (but a touch windy and cool) morning.  Headed to Silverthorne for some to go lunch, picknicked in Keystone by the river and then drove home over Loveland Pass and walked around up there for a bit.

Allison and Sierra starting off.  Allison's first peak in ~18 months

Looking down at the tunnel

Can you spot the 3 skiers?

(OK, tilted, just a little.... ;))

Loveland, Loveland Pass, Torreys, Grays

Golden Bear, Hagar (mostly hidden), Citadel

Hagar, Citadel

Looking down toward the tunnel on our way back

Sierra TEARING back across the valley after investigating some distant chirps

Sierra above Loveland Pass

A Basin

Loveland

Sierra LOVES cooling off in the snow

Slow start to the wildflower season with all the snow, but I found a few

Tuesday, 06/1411 Green Mountain

Up/Down front 4.08 miles/2,425/1:31:50 RT Garmin Data

Easy hike with Allison in the evening.

Monday, 06/13/11 Green Mountain

Up/Down back 5.41 miles/2,330 vert./1:01:03 RT (37:36 up) Garmin Data

Solid effort today, but a piss poor result for the perceived effort.  I felt like I was moving well, early splits were encouraging, but things came a bit unraveled on the upper section.  My throat got all clammed up and it was like breathing through a straw.  It was also 90ish degrees at the start which was a bit oppressive.  Figured I would nail the descent to compensate for the crappy ascent, but that too was slower than hoped (smashing my knee on the big rock that fell in Gregory Canyon a few years ago did not do me any favors).  Still, it was great to be out.

Saturday, 06/11/11 Eben G to Chautauqua

~7.5 miles/1,200 vert./1:18 (as per Rob's Garmin Data, as my 305 had a dead battery even though I was sure it was fully charged)

The girls and I met up with fellow blogger Rob Timko and his wife Laurie (who recently moved here from NJ) at Eben G. Fine Park for a mostly casual run up to Chautauqua/Enchanted Mesa/Bluebell Road.  This might become a staple jogger run for getting in some vertical as it is smooth (paved or smooth gravel), though next time I may add on Sanitas Valley, or do this route twice (depending on how long the girls can hold out).

Friday, 06/10/11 Green Mountain

6.69 miles/2,463 vert./1:16 RT (51:42 up) Garmin Data

Met up with Scott J at the Gregory lot and headed up Gregory/Long Canyon/W. Ridge.  Scott and I talked the whole way up, but I was at my max conversation pace much of the time aside from a few rollers on W. Ridge.  Bumped into GZ at the 4-way jct. (planned) and we continued on to the top together, where we hung out for 6:57 (forgot to stop my GPS watch after I took a split).  Lot's to chat about and catching up to do with both Scott and GZ, great company on a great day.  The trip down I got a pretty good cramp in my abdomen and was having trouble holding pace, which seemed fast for some reason (even though it was 2-3 minutes slower than normal "fast" pace).  I think it had to do with talking, the cramp and maybe still feeling my long day at altitude on Weds. (even though that was a slow day).

Wednesday, 06/08/11 Mt. Argentine, Edwards, Ganley, McClellan

Mt. Edwards (13,850)
Argentine Peak (13,738)
McClellan Mtn.(13,587)
Ganley Mtn. (12,902)
06/08/11
Start: Bakerville
Partners:  Aron Ralston, Joe Grant, Sierra
15.89 miles/6,314 vertical/8:36:08 Garmin Data

With an extra day off of work this week, a good forecast, great partners lined up and Allison’s encouragement for me to get away for the day, I could not wait to the high mountains for the first time in more than nine months.  My intent was mainly to just get above tree line, have a good time and get re-acclimated, not really caring where we went as long as it was Sierra friendly and I did not have to wallow in snow. I have previously climbed all of these peaks, but they were all new for Joe and Aron had only climbed Edwards.

Aron had afternoon commitments, so to be sure we had plenty of time for his goal peak, Mt. Argentine, we got a cracking early start, meeting at Neptune in Boulder at 4am after just a few hours of fitful and broken sleep. Despite the early hour, we were all quite chatty and interesting conversation ensued about a wide variety of topics, which made the drive go by quite fast.

We started up the Stevens Gulch Road a bit before 5:30am, walked to the 3rd curve in the road and headed up the generally N. facing slopes to get above tree line. The hillside is steep, but fun and we did a great job of avoiding the increasingly prevalent patches of rotten snow. Above tree line, there is an (avoidable) initial steep pitch of somewhat loose scree and talus, but beyond that, it is smooth sailing on rolling class 1 grassy tundra. Snow along the ridge was frequent, but generally solid and made for reasonable walking if desired, though we avoided it in general unless it was necessary to cross.

Even though the pace was very casual, the looong ridge seemed to pass quickly as we enjoyed the morning, took pictures and continued interesting conversation. Due to time constraints, once below the final slopes to the summit of Edwards, Aron decided to side hill toward Argentine Pass and skip Edwards (since he had climbed it before), where Joe and I continued to the summit with the intent of meeting back up with Aron on the 2 mile traverse.

Joe and I spent a moment or two on Edwards taking pictures and pointing out peaks near and far, then we boogied toward Argentine to catch Aron. Our pace was quick and efficient, but somewhat casual at the same time (as I was in hiker mode for the day, carrying a large and overloaded pack).  I found myself pushing hard over the final few hundred vertical to get to the summit of Argentine, trying to catch Aron and Joe and was pretty much maxed out with the added 20+ lbs. (we all summited within seconds of one another).

The trip back was enjoyable but seemingly a bit longer than we all remembered. I felt fine, but was a bit parched by the end having only carried 3 liters of water for Sierra and I. The weather could not have been better, as it was warm enough for just a light fleece pullover, sunny, crystal clear with hardly any wind.

I figured that I would be sucking wind after 9 months not going higher than S. Boulder Peak at 8,500 feet, but was pleasantly surprised to feel very good all day, as high as we went and considering we were above 13k for several hours (with no ill affects during or after).  I was not sure how Sierra would do either, after being so gimpy last fall and only having made weekly trips to Green Mountain.  Last fall, I was afraid that her days in the mountains were over because of the way she was having such trouble simply getting up and down the stairs, but she was awesome today and only lagged a just a little bit toward the end (which she would have done even at age 2), but I think that was mainly due to the warm sun and running out of water.  It meant so much to me to spend time with her in our favorite place.

What a great day with great company. Hopefully I can get out there again soon, as there is no better place in my mind than the high mountains of Colorado in June.

Our route outlined in red (descent variation in green)

Aron as we reached tree line

Joe

Torreys (r. of center), Grays (l)

Sierra could not have been happier cruising her favorite terrain

Grays and Torreys from Edwards

Still PLENTY of snow

Joe taking a few shots with Square Top in the background

Grays/Torreys/Edwards from just above Argentine Pass

Monday, 06/06/11 Green Mountain

Up/down Gregory/Ranger.  5.32 miles/2,315 vert./1:01:03 RT (37:59 up) Garmin Data

Felt half way decent this evening despite the heat and only operating on ~3 hours of sleep last night.  The heavy smoke in the air from the fires in Arizona also had me aprehensive to push too hard, so I just went on the up side of moderate and occasionally the low side of hard (well, I see 180 max HR, so must have touched a little higher at some point, though it never really felt like it).

Saturday, 06/04/11 Sanitas Valley

7.03 miles/1,134 vert./1:14:27 Garmin Data

Headed to Boulder again with Amelie and Isabelle.  Parked near Eben G. Fine Park, crossed the creek to Settlers Park and tried to get to Sanitas by pushing them over the Anemone/Red Rocks saddle.  I almost made it, but was turned around just after I crossed the bridge over the irrigation ditch, where it got a bit too steep and rough to push a 65+lb jogger (though I gave it a solid try, my shoes did not have adequate traction and the risk of slipping was too great). 

I headed back down to Pearl St., then cut over to 4th/Mapleton and on up the Sanitas Valley Trail to the sign board which was a real grunt with the steep grade, loose gravel and hot sun.  We then headed North to Acorn Ln. and S. Cedar Brook Rd. for some extra hills.  I contemplated heading up Linden, but it is a bit too narrow and trafficky to feel safe running with the babies.

Backtracked and then meandered through the Mapleton Hill neighborhood and glanced at some of the yard sales going on (but saw no kids stuff).  Stopped at U-Bikes and had a long chat with Doug (owner/old boss/good friend), then had the ergonomic grips on the Chariot glued since they have been annoyingly rotating all the time.  At the end of the run, we spent a few minutes relaxing in the shade in the park which the girls really seemed to enjoy.

Friday, 06/03/11 Boulder Creek Path

Boulder Creek Path 10 miles/483 vert./1:22:24 Garmin Data

Headed into Boulder with the girls and the Chariot.  Parked at the pool near 30th/Arapahoe and headed upstream to where the path ends at a reasonably casual pace.  Took a few nice breaks in the shade by the water to let the girls take in their surroundings, watch ducks etc....  My legs feel as though they are coming around and I contemplated a diversion up Sanitas valley to the start of the E. Ridge trail to get in a little climbing, but I knew the clock was ticking to get home for the next feed.

Thursday, 06/02/11 Green Mountain and then some

Green Mountain (up Gregory/Ranger, down W. Ridge/Long Canyon/Chapman Dr./Tenderfoot/Gregory) 9.28 miles/2,906 vert./1:57:49  Garmin Data (I sure did make a fun design on the map)

I was given the afternoon to do as I pleased, so I figured I would head into Boulder and run Green/Bear/SoBo/Green and then tack on some more, or so I thought....

The only problem with this plan was a ~1pm start on the hottest day of the year thus far (90+) and the fact that my legs are still feeling pretty dull.  The soreness has mostly gone away, but they have no spring in them.

I settled into my multi peak/hot day/tired leg/full stomach with a hamburger and chips pace up Gregory Canyon (slow) and started to question whether or not I would even top out on Green.  I kept slogging and made it to the summit having drank nearly half of my 48 ounces of water and briefly contemplated following through, but instead opted to just cut my losses and cruise a longer route down.  W. Ridge was fun, but the small rises that I normally cruise over required walking.  Long Canyon was a bit cooler and shady and offered enjoyable easy cruising along the soft, smooth trail. 

On a whim I decided to descend Chapman Dr. and thought about going all the way down into town, but the thought of getting back up to the Gregory lot was unappealing, so I turned at Tenderfoot and walked/jogged back up to Realization Point.  The trip back down Gregory was hot and exposed and I was glad to get back to the car and a liter of icy water.

The heat had me thinking how tough and miserable WS100 must be....

Wednesday, 06/01/11 Green Mountain

Green Mountain (generally up the front/mostly down the back) 4.18 miles/2,281vert./1:06:35(38:54up) Garmin Data

An easy post work shakedown run to help cleanse me of my pavement sins from Monday.  Went pretty easy up a variation of the front route, walked up mostly and hobbled jogged down the back way with a slight variation to keep it interesting.  Felt pretty crappy physically as my legs are still a bit sore from the pavement pounding, my achilles was barking on the descent, foot coordination was sloppy and my lunch was not digesting well (felt fat and bloaty).  No worries though, it is June and I was stoked to be outside on a fine evening.

May 23-May 30 Wrap up and Bolder Boulder

Monday, 05/23/11 Off.  I forget why, probably had something to do with work, family etc...

Tuesday, 05/24/11 Green Mountain (up/down front) 4 miles/2,280 vert./1:03:25 (38:15 up) Garmin Data

Very casual run.  Was quite wet from having just rained and felt very invigorating.

Wednesday, 05/25/11 Off.  Had to go to the airport to pick up my mom who is visiting.

Thursday, 05/26/11 Green/Bear/SoBo/Green 12.41 miles/5,209 vert./2:42:02 Garmin Data

Met Brandon at Chautauqua a bit before 9am.  Headed up Gregory/Ranger at a casual/conversational pace with a brief pit stop at the ranger hut dumper.  With no results there, I was feeling a little bogged down, but I pressed on with a pocket full of TP just in case.  Spent a moment or two on Green, then headed down Green-Bear where we soon parted ways as Brandon continued down Bear Canyon and I headed up Bear W. Ridge.  I got into a bit of a groove and upped the pace a bit, feeling somewhat good and totally enjoying the quiet morning, having the trails and peaks all to myself.  Everything seemed to be firing well and my foot coordination was spot on going up and down, mental and physical energy were great, my achilles was good.  It was an awesome morning, cool and damp and climbing above the clouds at ~7,000 feet was quite the treat.  I backtracked over Green after tagging Bear/SoBo and then from the summit of Green I headed down the front instead of the back for a change in scenery.  It was one of those days where I felt like tacking on a few more summits and 2:42 of running seemed WAY too short.

Splits:
Chautau to Greg lot: 5:39
Up Back to Green: 41:33
Green to Bear:  36:45 (went slow from Green to W. Ridge jct.)
Bear to SoBo: 10:30
SoBo to Bear: 8:35
Bear to Green:  33:11
Green to Greg lot down front: 21:52
Greg to Chautau: 3:53

Friday, 05/27/11 Green Mountain (up/down back) 5.18 miles/2,316 vert./1:16:04 (44:53 up) Garmin data

Sierra talking me into bringing her along, so this run was really slow.  Just as well, as I might have gone harder than I should have and it was great to have her along even though it involved a good bit of waiting.  Found a dollar bill on the way down, then not long after a 6 foot bull snake stretched across the trail.  I put Sierra on leash and then taunted it a bit with a long stick to be sure it was not a rattler.  We took a wide arc around it to be sure and then Sierra was tugging me like a sled dog down the trail (glad to know she is afraid).

Saturday, 05/28/11 Sanitas (up valley/East, down S. ridge) 3.5 miles (from 4th/Mapleton)/1,291 vert./~45 minutes Garmin data

Got bogged down with errands and BB/Creek Fest crowds and only had time for something short, so I headed to Sanitas.  What a zoo over there on the busiest weekend of the year in Boulder.  I was going slow and easy, but still was a little annoyed with so many people and dogs getting in the way.

Sunday, 05/29/11 Local Run 4 miles/184 vert./37:32/~9:23 pace

Allison and I ran from the house out to Harper Lake for a BB training/taper run (her only training for the week).  Super easy.

Monday, 05/30/11 Bolder Boulder x 2

Ran the Bolder Boulder in the AA wave.  I had mixed intentions going into the race, knowing that the odds were stacked against me with the iffy achilles, lack of specific training, lack of consistent training (mostly due to the achilles and having twins), change in course, etc.... 
Despite all of those seemingly minor details, I STILL, for some unknown reason, thought I could will myself to beat my 38:59 PR from last year.

I started off reasonably conservative, but my achilles was bugging me by the first turn and I just overall was not feeling it.  The effort seemed too high for my lagging pace and I became a bit discouraged.  I never gave up, but did not really dig either, just ran it in at what felt like a pretty sustainable pace and felt like I could have gone for a few hours at that pace.  Just had no real "speed".  I finished in a personal worst for the BB in 40:24, but I guess I should not be too surprised, nor am I too disappointed, as this was just a fun training thing.  Hopefully my fitness gels a bit by August.

I kept running past the finish, through the crowds, hopped the fence and doubled back to my car at the Timko lot at 33rd/Arapahoe (thanks Rob!).  My intent was to meet Allison who was to run the HE wave at 8:20, so I had enough time to change into my Hoka Bondi Bs, re-fuel a bit and then take off to pace her.

Lap 2

Allison signed up for her first BB/first race with a handful of work friends and ended up in the unqualified HE wave.  I planned to pace her and lead her through the crowds and show her the most efficent lines through the turns.  This second lap was WAY more enjoyable than the first lap, as I was able to take in all the sights and sounds and appreciate the festive atmosphere much more at the easy pace.  She ended up finishing in 54:50 which she was happy with considering her lack of training (only a handful of well spaced runs, weekly  hikes up Green and pushing a baby jogger around).  Next year she will run the E wave and I think will do a bit better without all the people dodging.

In all I had 17 miles on the day, with the two 10k's and the trips to the car/warmup etc....

Lap 1 AA wave Garmin data

Lap 2 HE wave Garmin data

05/22/11 Weekly Wrap Up

Monday, 05/16/11 S. Boulder Creek/Bobolink 6.2 miles/128 vert./55:29 Garmin data

Easy post work run with Allison and the babies in the Chariot. I pressed encouraged her a bit to set a baseline for the upcoming Bolder Boulder and she did pretty well I thought considering her lack of training, all of the cattle gates where she stopped to let me and the double jogger through, a few 180 degree turns, etc….. I think with just a little training, a more straight forward route without interruptions and some competition, she can chop a good bit of time off of this. Unfortunately, she is running in an unqualified wave and will have a lot of human obstacles to navigate around instead of running in a more appropriate wave (though I am trying to talk her into running the 2 mile treadmill qualifier at the BB store and upgrading waves, if that is still an option).

Tuesday, 05/17/11 Green Mountain (up/down front) 4 miles/2284 vert./56:18 (34:52 up/21:26 dn) Garmin data

It was raining heavily as I left work and I contemplated bailing on my run, but I had trouble passing up a guilt free hour of post work running, so I headed to Boulder anyways. As I got into town, the sun came out and the rain stopped, perfect! The peaks were still shrouded in clouds, but it was a fine afternoon to be outside, as the trails were wet, but the temperature was cool and pleasant. I pushed a little harder than normal on this run, but still not really a full on effort. It was awesome to feel good and feel as though I have rounded the corner where I am now only limited by my fitness/lack of training, I was in perfect sync mentally/physically and not fighting gravity or my Achilles. Was pleased to top out in under 35 minutes (just barely) and I feel like I am making progress, albeit slowly. I went a cautiously quick pace on the down, not taking any chances in with the wet trail conditions.

Wednesday, 05/18/11  Off because of dinner guests and rain.

Thursday, 05/19/11 Green Mountain (up/down back) 5.28 miles/2,355vert./1:37:55 Garmin data

Easy hike/jog with Allison and Sierra.  Raining with snow above ~7,000 feet.  55 up/42 down.

Friday, 05/20/11 Meadowlark/SingleHoffer/W. Coal Creek Dr.  10.05 miles/556 vert./1:22 Garmin data

Drove over to the TH for the Meadowlark/Mayhoffery Trails in Superior.  Pushing the Chariot with Amelie and Isabelle, went South to the Coalton Trail, backtracked and then decided that was too short and headed out the Singlehoff trail to W. Coal Creek Dr., then out to 66th street and the base of the Koppenburg climb.  I debated trying to get up it, but the road was a mess and did not seem at all reasonable, not to mention, the sky was getting dark to the West, so to play it safe I turned around.  Minutes after getting the babies and Chariot in the van, a big storm hit.  Great timing (some skill at reading the sky, but mostly luck).

Saturday, 05/21/11 Louisville Run  4 miles/146 vert.

Baby jogger run into Louisville to watch some bike racing.  Planned on doing more, but I was a bit discouraged with the wind, but mostly discouraged by consecutive day 3 of my achilles hurting, so I bagged it and ended up getting stuff done around the house while juggling babies (still a workout).

Sunday, 05/22/11 Green Mountain (up/down front) 4.07 miles/2278 vert./54:40 (33:51up) Garmin data

Solid run up Amphi/Saddle/Greenman, pushed pretty hard for most of the way, up and down.  Was only ~30 seconds off PR at the Saddle/Greenman jct., but somehow I lost an additional minute over the upper half (not too surprised really even though it felt like I was moving fast).  I guess I have forgotten what "fast" (for me) feels like.  Solid run back down, felt coordinated and pushed a little, but did not take any chances either, just cruising smooth.  I was pleased to see a 1 minute improvment on the ascent and a 1:38 improvement for the RT over my run here last Tuesday.  Progress is slow but steady.

Bumped into Homie as I was finishing and chatted with him for a bit.  Great to see him as always.

Video of the week:

Thursday, 05/19/11 Snowy Green Mountain in Pictures