Sanitas

1/31/08
24:54 up (via Dakota Ridge, then East Side)
14 down S. Ridge

Again meant to go moderate today, and I mostly did, but living in Boulder, that can be hard to do, unless you completely put your ego aside, which I find difficult sometimes. I ducked off the trail for a quick pee. I hear a group of runners making a bunch of noise crossing Sunshine and glance back. Uh oh, this is a big group, not sure who they are. I finish my business and get on the trail maybe 10 or 15 seconds ahead of them, I can hear that they are young, high school? College? I can't tell anymore, man am I getting old. I keep ahead, but when I get off the valley trail and head up to Dakota Ridge, I fall behind. My trail is technical and steeper in sections and I try to not loose too much ground. Once the trails merge, a bit of a surge of speed ensures that I make the middle of the group and I gain a bit. Fortunately they stop here and I don't have to play this game all the way to the top. The East side is icey and snowy, but I am wearing studded shoes, so it is no worry. The trip down the S. side is snowy in spots, but one could probably get by without traction.