July 29 - August 4

This weeks run-log is not quite as dialed in as I'd like, due to the fact that I've started using a different watch to record things. I'll be using a barometric altimeter for now, because its more streamlined and compact. Likewise, I dig some of the features compared to those of my Garmin GPS. In any case, there was a bit of a learning curve this week as I transitioned to a different watch. Without further ado...

7/30/2013

1:32, 2,400' - Mt. Sanitas

I felt like mixing up the mileage a bit, so I opted to run out to the Mt. Sanitas trail-head from my place in South Boulder. The route gives me about 3 miles or so of flat-ish road running to warm up before I hit the TH. I wasn't sure if this approach would tire me out before the Sanitas climb or if it would, in fact, warm me up. I had to try it to find out and the latter was true. Felt solid on the way to the TH and really had a good rhythm the whole climb to the 6,866 ft summit. Sanitas seems quite popular/crowded on weekends, but this was the first of two times going up around sunset this week. To my delight, there was very little traffic on the trail so late in the day. As an aside, earlier in the afternoon I had sushi for the first time in probably 3 years. I'm not sure if my system wasn't used to the raw fish (or perhaps I was just a bit dehydrated), but the last mile or so on the return proved to be pretty rough on the guts. Walked the final mile home in hopes of avoiding any major stomach issues. Despite this, I will be returning to Hapa for their sushi happy-hour in the very near future. It was delicious...

7/31/2013

AM - 1:50, 3,400' - Green Mtn > Boulder Creek

A really nice late-morning effort. Ran Mesa to Bluebell to Gregory Canyon before starting a solid ascent up Green. I spent a few minutes on the summit, but it was hot and I didn't bring any water on the run. Made a speedy ascent back down Ranger Trail to the Gregory Canyon TH before taking 6th Street north to Boulder Creek. I was pretty parched by the time I reached the creek, but I found a bubbler (yeah, I'm hanging on to that Wisco-ism forever) and went for a dip in the creek to ice the legs before heading home.

PM - :36, ?? - BRC Fun Run

I was on the fence about whether or not to go out again just a few hours after a solid morning outing. Then I remembered that Boulder Running Company provides free pizza and beer for the Wednesday night group-runs. Why the hell not? My legs were tired but I still managed to keep the miles under 7-min pace, which felt pretty snappy. Two runs, pizza, beer, sunshine, and a swim in the creek? A good day by any standards...

8/2/2013

2:05, 3,250' - Bear Peak

Heading out the back door I took Skunk Canyon to Mesa Trail before heading up Fern Canyon to the summit of Bear Peak. Some days I feel a bit rough trying to warm up the legs on 800 feet of gain within the first 1.5 miles or so - it can make it difficult to loosen up the quads and calves. That said, I know its making me mentally and physically stronger the more I do it. I fell into a solid groove once I hit Fern Canyon, and tried to keep things consistent through the steeper sections close to the peak. On the decent I felt a bit stronger and more relaxed than I had on the way up. My first week in Boulder this run took me an extra 30 minutes or so and I was draining two 20 oz water bottles en route. It's encouraging to run this line significantly faster (and without water) after just a month. Feet were sore afterwards.

8/3/2013

1:38, 2,400' - Mt. Sanitas

Repeated my route from Tuesday evening. Again, the 3 mile warm-up was beneficial to my cadence on the Sanitas climb. This time, however, I took sushi out of the equation. Considering the fact that I could still feel the last two days lingering in my legs, things were flowing pretty well during the middle and late stages of the run. I was trying to get up and off the summit in between patches of thick storm clouds, which probably added some motivation as far as pace was concerned. Given the tired legs and running the last mile home, this was a nice improvement on Tuesdays effort. I think the shifty weather affected the barometric altimeter on my watch, because it read only 1,600' of gain for the route (compared to the Garmin's 2,400'). I'll have to do it again in more consistent weather to see how it varies. Opted for the Pure Grits rather than the MT110s for more cushion during the road miles...

8/4/2013

2:30ish, 5,000'ish - Bear Peak > S. Boulder Peak > Bear Peak

Similar to my outing from July 21st, but I spent less time route finding and more time actually running. I started in a pretty low gear for the first mile or so, but had a sense of drive the whole way up Fern Canyon to Bear Peak. I managed to carry that energy through the rest of the run. To be frank, I felt like a beast from about the 20 minute mark through the end of the run. While the stretch over to South Boulder Peak and back up to Bear Peak offered a bit more isolation, Fern Canyon and the Bear Peak summit were crowded. The final descent of Bear Peak was fantastic - this is why I love running. I was finding all of the right lines and just floating over rocks, talus, scree, you name it. I only interrupted 'auto-pilot' several times to make my way around others on the trail. A quick aside and admitted moment of pride - On my way back down Bear I was cruising pretty good and couldn't help but laugh at a sequence of comments that came within the span of 1 minute. "You must be completely out of your mind," followed by, "God, he's like a mountain goat!" I have a feeling the second woman had no idea how complimentary I found that. The lesson? Strive to become your power-animal. Great morning in the mountains. Wore the MT110s and brought nothing but a 12 oz handheld and 1 gel. I'm finding that the more minimal I go, the more free I feel on my runs...

To step outside of running for a minute, I had the wonderful opportunity to check out some local establishments this week. I went with some coworkers on Monday night to visit the Oskar Blues Restaurant in Longmont. I really dig the fact that they carry myriad taps beyond their own line of delicious brews. After all, good beer is good beer, even if its brewed by the competition. Their sweet potato fries were damn good too.

Likewise, I had the opportunity to utilize the handy Boulder/Denver bus-line on Thursday evening. I met up with a delightful group at Denver's Root Down for some happy hour drinks and a bit of food. I gave my stamp-of-approval to another batch of sweet potato fries, and had no problems devouring a veggie slider with jalapeno jam. Good atmosphere, stellar service, and oddly intriguing artwork...

As usual, I find myself a bit sore and quite tired as I wrap up another week. Thursday marked my first month in Boulder, and the experience has been nothing short of fantastic. I've been saying it for the last four weeks, but I still feel like I'm settling into my new home out here. That said, the end of July was less of a whirlwind compared to the first couple of weeks. Likewise, I've met some great, genuine people since moving out here, and I'm starting to feel very comfortable at home and at work. Once again, my goals for the next couple weeks include more running, more socializing, more food, and more sleep. Something's gotta give, right? Let's hope not. Now for some pictures...

I didn't bring my iphone on any runs this week, and money is too tight to invest in a new camera right away. As such, I've got nothing in the way of beautiful peak views. However, I do have some other decent photos and some tunes for you. Enjoy!

My back yard kicks serious ass...

Monday night in Longmont. Oh, the taps!

Bear Peak and a hearty breakfast - Good Friday.

The altimeter. More calibration = more accuracy.

Pretty excited about Guayaki and Garden of Life joining forces.

Eating storm-ridden trails for breakfast in the great Smoky Mountains (2011):
This trip was a major catalyst for my recent move to the foothills of Boulder.
Thanks, Smags...

Vulfpeck - My First Car

The last picture (and following video) is from "My First Car" - the third release from funk-masters, Vulfpeck. This bunch of young dudes has groove for days and soul for weeks. I highly recommend checking the video out and grabbing their tunes from bandcamp.com. Just released today!