Incline/Barr Trail

Nice hike up the incline and jog down Barr Trail (the longer way). I took my friend Tom up with me. His knee is even more messed up than mine. Even still, it wasn't too terrible. No PR today! Incline Time: 50:35, total time: 1:30

Denver Red Dress

Crawling out of bed on Sunday morning I didn't think I'd be able to walk, let alone run a red dress. Fortunately for me, I wasn't the only injured person of the day and I had a buddy to walk (limp) with. I will never again run a half marathon and hike a 14er in the same day... at least not until the next time.

Nappy Ritz

Go Buffs!

For more pictures see The Dani's blog.

Outdoors math: 13 + 14 = delirium

Saturday wore me out, but what a great way to go! First thing in the morning was the Slacker Half Marathon (from Loveland Pass down to Georgetown). That afternoon we hiked up Mt. Evans, one of the 14ers right on the edge of the front range. The Slacker left me wanting to curl up and sleep (hopefully after medicating myself).

The final stretch of the Slacker Half Marathon.

Me and the Dani enjoying the free beer.

I had no plans to actually hike. I wore my running skirt, JQR shirt, and chacos. I left my camera, sunscreen, warm clothes and day pack in my car. But somehow I found myself talked into it. We drove up to Summit Lake, where I had intended to hang out while eveyone else hiked for a few hours. When we got there Brownie was kind enough to point out that the hike wasn't much longer than the Manitou Incline. It couldn't be that hard... if I could forget the fact that my legs were exhausted and cussing me. So I borrowed some sleeves from Dani and up we went. Too bad for Dani and Brownie that they couldn't make it to the top. It was awesome! I suppose I wouldn't have felt bad about not summiting if I had tickets to the Widespread concert.

Somewhere around 13,000' before we parted ways.

Bungholio & I on top.

Pirates!

You just can't trust pirates! :)

10 f'ing miles.

This morning I ran the Garden of the Gods 10 Miler. It's the first time I've ever run 10 miles in one go. Surprisingly, it actually felt pretty damn good even with minor injuries. I didn't push it too hard and was just trying to run the whole way. I succeeded. That felt awesome in and of itself.

This is first r*ce I've done without chip timing. It's not a huge deal, but I've gotten used to that sort of accuracy. Starting in the middle/back of the back threw off the results in comparison with my Garmin (yes, I'm now a running-gear nerd). Either way, it's still just over an 11 minute mile pace. Not too shabby when you consider the route and that it was my first time.

From the website:
Official Results: 1:52:21
Distance: 10 miles

From my Garmin:
My Results: 1:51:49
Distance: 10.15 miles

CoTex gives you wings.

I am one lucky chick! I wasn't supposed to be home from the river on time to make it up to South Park, but we got back a couple days early. Naturally I tracked down the MOPP hash and from there decided to head up for some good CoTex action. I didn't get to stay for the whole weekend, but the part I was there for kicked ass. A couple of the highlights for me were.... all of us riding in a U-haul to the pub crawl and Hoover finding the perfect sized man to give her some motorboat action. Whee. I can't wait to see pictures!

Woohoo!

Little pieces of my float trip through Cataract Canyon.

Colorado River, before the confluence with the Green River.

PBR at put-in.

Morning on the river.

I drink good coffee every morning.

Chris makes a Poop Dog out of mud.

The amazing gals of the trip: Jen and I up top. Yvonne and Darshelle down low.

Zombie raptors?



Mud Wrestling was a favorite passtime on this trip.

Float-zilla. During a lot of the flat sections we tied all the boats together and used Paul's motor to push downriver while relaxing on the rig instead of having to row hard just to get somewhere. I prefer rowing flatwater when we're not in a rush and there is no wind. But with up-river wind, that motor is the greatest thing on the planet.

Strong enough winds will blow the boats upriver!

Floating to the Spanish Bottom campsite. Up above is the first sight of the Dollhouse in Canyonlands. SB is the last campsite before the rapids begin (woohoo!). We spent several days there just hanging out and hiking around.

Last year Jen lost her flip-line (a bit of rope used to flip upside-down boats back upright) in the mud at Spanish Bottom. The river was considerably higher last year. This year, while digging out one step to help carry up gear from the boat, Philsy dug up Jen's flip-line. Chances of that happening!?!?

The beach below the first rapid. This is a short hike from the SB campsite. We'd hike down here, play in the sand and river for a while, then head back to our site when another group floated in. They did give me and a couple of my girls a PBR before we went back to camp. :)

Yvonne and I. Sunrise at SB.

The Jen rowing her boat into Big Drop 2 rapid with her husband Chris.

Yvonne rowing with her passanger Darshelle into Big Drop 2.

I just love these gals!