This Is Bliss...

Although I'm bruised and a bit tired as I sit here writing this, the last week was fantastic. I fully intended to post Sunday evening, but I got home from work pretty exhausted and did little more than eat and sleep. Nevertheless, the title of this post was already cemented into my mind...

"This is bliss."

Through 100 minutes of running and a very inefficient ascent of more than 2,500', our conversation had been spotty at times. But this rang clear, as it was my inner dialogue being verbalized by the gnarly Texan following closely in my tracks. My only response to the comment was a massive grin, which was no doubt impossible to see from his vantage point. In any case, he was spot on.

I hadn't been to the top of Green Mountain since early August - the unfortunate consequence of my post-TNF knee issues, as well as the "100-year-flood" that hit Boulder in mid-September. But the knee feels good and the trails have been reopened. Kurt, a friend and fellow ultra-enthusiast, escaped the warmer climate of Austin to visit Denver for the weekend. When he got in touch Thursday night about a possible run during the weekend, a trek up Green Mountain seemed like a no-brainer.

Arriving at the trail head on Saturday, we stepped out of the car into single-digit temperatures and snow flurries. Having both spent much our lives in Wisconsin winters, it was agreed that this was prime running weather. We clicked our watches and started for the top.

For access to the summit we took Ranger Trail via Gregory Canyon. The trip up was not a huge effort, but I felt very inefficient in my Pure Grit trail-runners. Although they are great for dry or muddy trails, the treads were almost useless in snow and powder. I felt like I was losing half of every step I took, as my foot slid back while trying to toe off. In any case, we made the summit in a shade over an hour, including a couple minutes of route finding after following some errant tracks. The only blemish on my day came while stepping off the summit boulder. I lost my footing on a careless step and slipped knee first into another boulder. Fortunately, things feel alright aside from some bruising/cuts. Never mind that - the subsequent descent of Green was the highlight of the day.

The first quarter mile coming back down Ranger trail required a good deal of caution due to slippery steps and exposed rocks. Once we got through that it was time to unleash the inner child. I knew we were speeding up as the time elapsed, but it was almost effortless. Romping through 6-10 inches of powder, we cruised switchbacks and single track at full speed. The only thing occasionally breaking my trance-like state was the need to clear frost from my eyes so I could see the trail in front of me. A smile, fresh powder, a frozen beard, and some quick miles - what more could I ask for on a Saturday afternoon? Those blissful runs are what this sport is all about. Whether you find it cheesy, inspiring, or hard to believe, blazing down the side of a snow-covered mountain on your own two feet is freeing. Its an experience that envelops you, completely consuming and clearing the mind at once. Its why I love running so much.

Post-run burgers and beers at Mountain Sun capped the afternoon, and Kurt was on his way back to Denver shortly after. That's how you visit Boulder, my friend. If only for a few hours...

As great as Saturday was, it was just half of an awesome two days. Having left work early on Friday, I had a lengthy afternoon to myself. After a quality training session at the gym, I went for my most satisfying outing on Mesa Trail since moving to Boulder. The run was highlighted by quick turnover, fresh snow-pack, zero-traffic, and some primal howling (I just couldn't help myself). A night of pizza, beer, and good company left me feeling like a million bucks.

Now, on to the numbers:

12/2/2013
:40, ?' - Road Run
Ran a pacey 40 minutes looping through South Boulder and parts of the CU campus. Felt a bit tight after, but the turnover was good.

12/3/2013
:60, 900' - Mesa Trail
Night run during snow fall. Trail was fairly packed in spots, but not completely buffed by the snow. Took a spill catching a toe on a snow-covered rock. Lots of fun and good to get some cold weather running in.

12/4/2013
:50, 500' - Boulder Valley Ranch
Drove out there with Eric to do a double-loop. Coldest day of the week, it was maybe 8 or 9 degrees at noon. I wore the MT110s and they were letting in tons of powder, which was then freezing into the toe-box of my shoe. A solid run overall, and Eric had a moment on trail. He's one with nature now...

12/6/2013
1:20, 1500' - Mesa Trail
One of my best runs in a long while, as I said above. The snow was pretty packed and I was getting good traction on the climbs. Likewise, I really cut loose coming home and got some speed in my legs. Saw only two people on trail during the entire run. It was amazing to get a good run in with the snow-dusted flatirons and front-range as my backdrop...

12/7/2013
1:40, 2600' - Green Mountain
Ran Green with Kurt. About 65 up and 35 coming down. Awesome stuff...

Views from Lunch

Cooling down a bit...

Keep those toes warm.

Ice Beard #1

#2

#3

Post Green Mountain shot. (Courtesy of Kurt)

Breakfast of Champions.

Gordo looking for attention.

Tea time...

I've had a lot of different music bouncing around my headphones and my brain over the past few weeks. I'm having trouble deciding what to include, so here are a couple tracks. No real explanation needed except to say that these two artists share a common theme - Soul and Groove.

Herman Astro - Tell Me (What I Gotta Do)

Raphael Saadiq - Staying In Love

Bonus Video - This is just a great ad and it inspires me.