Saturday, 06/25/11 Gross Res. Baby Jogger Run

9.4 miles/1,464 vert./1:25:38/Avg. HR 141 Garmin Data

I had been floating the idea around for a while to get up to Gross Reservoir with the baby jogger and today I talked Allison and the girls into it.

We headed up SuperFlag and parked on the E. side of the Res. and headed S. on Gross Dam Rd..  Aside from the initial uphill, it was a steep downhill for 2 miles (with plenty of loose dirt and washboard) until we crossed the creek.  Then it was a longer than expected uphill to get to the reservoir, where Allison soon became a bit impatient, thinking it was a bit too hot for the girls and too long for them to be out.  It was pretty warm and it took us ~50 minutes to go about 5 miles, so in the interest of time and efficiency, I left Allison and the girls to wait while I hurried back for the van.  I was moving well on the downhill (low 6 pace), but then the final 2 mile climb back to the car was a scorching grind with no shade and ended up taking me 35 minutes total.

Once we all reunited, we had a nice picnic near the canoe/kayak ramp, while we watched the ranger harass all the riff raff who came through (PFDs?, ID?, fishing licenses?, etc....).

About to start

Plenty of riff raff to harass (I actually applied for the job in the Spring 2009, glad it did not workout, I guess I am not quite "tough guy" enough).  You can see the very tough and athletic looking water cop just to the right of the pickup truck.  I'm being a bit harsh for whatever reason, but he was actually a pretty nice guy.

I was pretty darn tempted to take a quick swim while the water cop was out of sight, but the fine is pretty stiff from what I understand.

Friday, 06/24/11 Bear Peak

Up Fern/Down W. Ridge/Bear Canyon 8.07 miles/2,856 vert./1:42:26 (49:03 up)/142 avg HR Garmin Data

Was not able to get out on the trail until after 10am and by then things were warming up nicely (or not so nicely).  My legs felt a little heavy still and I was not digging the heat at all.  I was also trying out a new pair of shoes, new fuel belt and new camera, so I was a bit pre-occupied by all of this and kept the pace pretty mellow.

Love the new PI Peak 2 shoes thus far, very light, comfortable and sturdy.

Here are a few shots:

S. Boulder from Bear

Green

Audubon

I stopped numerous times on the descent for wildflower shots.  I was initially was impressed with these, until I turned around and found, what is for me, the Holy Grail of wildflowers finds.....

My favorite wildflower of all time, the Columbine

A bee is hiding in there, I tried for a better shot but it would not cooperate.

Bear from upper Bear Canyon

Dinosaur Mt.

Finally got my revenge after having my picture taken numerous times...

Thursday, 06/23/11 Local Run

6.7 miles/159 vert./7:53 pace/144 avg HR

A reasonably mellow run with the jogger from the house, but felt a bit labored at times with the warm temps and was feeling my long bike ride a bit from the day before.