At the start of this year, I enthusiastically outlined my running goals for 2020.
How quickly things change. Life is…different.
Running, thankfully, is one of the few activities still available during this bizarre time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintain 6+ feet of space away from others, and run to your heart’s delight. I’ve been running four times a week, the usual mix of road and trail. Depending on where you live and your accessibility to trails/ open space, social distancing can be a challenge, especially on public open space. Daily I hear the reports of Colorado’s public parks being inundated with walker, hikers, runners, mountain bikers: folks seeking a respite from being indoors.
As with so many other things, races have been canceled or postponed. I was scheduled to run the Insane Inflatable 5k in May; it has now been pushed to October 10. As my everyday run currently averages about 5 miles, I’m more than ready to tackle a 5k. However, I feel for the folks whose training has been impacted by race cancellations or postponements. All that hard work…
With everything up in the air, I haven’t registered for any other races. Just this week the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission canceled this year’s Rim Rock Marathon, citing Covid concerns. 🙁 I guess at some point this year I’ll be running a virtual race…
Speaking as a runner to other runners, I say utilize furlough, quarantine or working from home to either increase your mileage/ training, or give your body a much needed break. Last month I ran a total of 55 miles, my highest mileage for this year. I’ve been practicing yoga , and began mountain biking again: one of my goals for this year. 🙂 With many gyms still closed, I’ve also been doing strength training work outs at home.
Pandemic or no pandemic, I’ll be running. With the current crisis, I’ll keep my distance, literally. Hopping off the trail, giving plenty of leeway to others. Be cautious however: this year I’ve come across rattlesnakes on several occasions.
Incredible camouflage.
And as if Covid-19 were not enough, several wildfires are currently raging in Colorado. The Pine Gulch Fire, burning just north of my old haunt Grand Junction, is now the state’s second ever largest fire, as of this writing.
View of the Grand Valley and western edge of Grand Mesa, obscured by smoke from Pine Gulch fire.Mill Creek Fire (foreground), and Grizzly Creek Fire.
As the photos show, Colorado is inundated with smoke. Ash coats the Grand Valley, the Grizzly Creek Fire sears through Glenwood Canyon, while on the Front Range visibility is quite limited. Whenever there is a slight lapse in smoke, I try to run. While others note of throat and eye irritation from smoke, there has been a dull throb in my temples these past few days. Looking out my window as I write this, with the foothills nearly invisible, my heart goes out to the Western Slope, a place known for its big blue sky, under which I have run countless miles.
So, yeah, this is basically my recap of running in 2020, a bewildering year. I am so grateful for my access to open space, in which myself and plenty of others can find solace, some sense of normalcy. May rain and a vaccine come our way. Stay safe everyone, and run strong!
This thrilling novel follows the exploits of the fictional Tat’yana Levchenko, a World War II female Soviet sniper in Sevastopol. Told in first person, the work jumps right into action, with the protagonist waiting patiently to make her next kill. Battle hardened, fearless, with nothing to lose, Tat’yana’s character and voice is one of the most compelling I’ve read in a while: “My life had long ago stopped mattering to me. It was but an instrument of my revenge.” With hundreds of recorded kills, sniping is her method of striking back at the Nazis who have upended her life, and of those she loves. As a “woman [who] has humbled the Reich” and is a decorated heroine of the Soviet Union, Tat’yana is invited to the United States, to tour with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The two women strike a friendship, but soon Tat’yana is caught in a web of deceit, as the Soviets force her to act as their spy, in gathering US intelligence. Fraught with tension and suspense, White’s writing excels in describing battle scenes, and Tat’yana’s divided loyalties. He captures her emotions, experiences—and rampant sexism—faced by a woman soldier: “‘Comrade Levchenko,’ they [Communist Party officials] would ask of me, ‘How does one so lovely become such an accomplished killer?'”
Lyudmila Pavlichenko (1916-1974), real life female WW2 Soviet sniper, the inspiration for the protagonist of Beautiful Assassin. Photo from public domain.
Readers may find the story’s romance plot, of the heroine’s involvement with an American interpreter (erroneously referred to as “translator”), a bit clichéd and predictable, but the novel never loses its momentum, as our heroine suddenly vanishes—without a trace. Equal parts wartime thriller, romance, and mystery, as the novels traces why and where the “Beautiful Assassin” has disappeared, this is one most gripping historical fiction novels I have recently read. White clearly did his research on the figures, places, battles, weapons, etc., of the era. The novel is a testament to how “unlike the other major belligerents in World War II, only the Soviets found it necessary to enlist women.”
The fictional protagonist, based off real life female Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, represents an intriguing slice of the “woman power” behind the Soviet war machine. For history buffs and those interested in women’s narratives, Beautiful Assassin more than hits the mark.
Beautiful Assassin by Michael White, Harper Perennial, 2011, 460 pages.
Remembering my horse on what would have been his 31st birthday. 💖 Here are verses I wrote in 2018:
Velvet nose
Dark eyes glow
Sun burnished coat
My childhood friend
My heart
My home.
Thank you for kindness
Taught by sloppy kisses,
Playful nuzzles,
Waiting at the gate.
Thank you for understanding:
Patience as I try to saddle you
Groom you, feed you, untack you.
As I nurture you, you nurture me.
Thank you for knowledge:
A furry sage, a wise teacher
Imbuing your lessons of life
With gentle eyes, carefree
snorts, the perfect flying
lead change on command.
Your love knows no corral,
Your arena is love:
Unconditional
Soul sustaining, fulfilling.
Rest well, beautiful friend:
Thank you for seeing me
through,
Not to the end,
but to the beginning
of light,
a blank slate, a new page
to create.
Forever friends, death cannot
bend.
On a new plane of place
you await,
Healthy, sleek, at peace,
for the friend,
for the girl,
who was
who is
and will forever be
YOUR whole world:
and as you were mine.
~LMC
Told in a series of powerful interconnected essays, Blunt lays bare the experiences of growing up on Montana wheat and cattle ranches. Born into the third generation of homesteaders, Blunt observes how ranching and agriculture is a completely male dominated world, an environment in which women are often utterly overworked and underappreciated: “[B]eing female, I […] learned to bake bread and can vegetables and reserve my opinion when the men were talking.” And if a woman, such as Blunt, does not fit expected gender roles, she holds “no place of value on my family’s ranch,” leaving her with two choices: “I could marry or I could leave.” She chooses the former option, marrying at eighteen to a man twelve years her senior. Highly self-sufficient, Blunt can ride, rope, and wrangle cattle and much more; her writing greatly details all aspects of ranch life, from birthing animals, enduring blizzards, and living in extreme isolation. But in time, despite her love for the land, Blunt’s strong personality finally clashes with the ever-stagnant position of ranch wife. So she decides to “break clean:” finding the strength to divorce and move with her children to establish a new life for herself. Having a lifelong penchant for writing—an attribute not at all appreciated by ranch menfolk—Blunt attends college classes while balancing jobs, eventually becoming a Director of Creative Writing at the University of Montana. Just like her name, Breaking Clean is blunt, and yet subtle, the writing clean and detailed. Blunt’s unique voice of stubbornness and diligence shine through, all while examining family dynamics versus individuality, land ownership, generational struggles, etc. With its feminist perspective, this memoir quickly dismantles any romance associated with the American West and cowboy culture; a rather sobering, humbling takeaway. For anyone interested in the American West, Breaking Clean is a soul baring read.
Breaking Clean by Judy Blunt, Knopf, 2002, 303 pages
Happy New Year! It’s the start of a new decade, can you believe it? The last 10 years have been one hell of a ride. 2010-2019 is significant as it is the decade I discovered and fell in love with running. A super quick recap: a college tennis player, I caught the running bug during training runs; my post Run Run Run further details the very start of my running journey. When I stepped away from competitive tennis playing, running served as a wonderful (and necessary) transition; a lifetime athlete, I could not, and still cannot, imagine life without athletics and exercise.
Photo courtesy of Buddy Bear.
I can’t tell you the exact number of miles I’ve logged since becoming a runner, but I would surmise in the tens of thousands. I’ve gone from running near obsessive circles around my alma mater, Colorado Mesa University, to running North Desert and the Tabeguache Trail System, all within the Grand Valley of Colorado’s Western Slope. I have fought my way up and down the Front Range foothills, and cruised along the strike valleys behind the Dakota Hogback. And yes, even on vacations I still run: gliding along the beaches and boardwalks of southern California, to running up the Las Ramblas to La Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, Spain. Without a doubt, running has, and continues, to provide plenty of wonderful adventures. My Race Reports, indeed this blog itself, serve as testament for my love of, and gratitude to, running.
The best part of running are the friends I have made along the way. By running and racing, I have met the most amazing people. Chelsea and Emily, and my Grand Junction tribe Jamie, Yoli, Cate, Trish, and Kale: love ya ladies and all our adventures. 🙂 If you are ever in need of a supportive, welcoming community of people, running folks are it.
2019 in Review
I am happy to say that per my post Run Report: 2018 Review & 2019 Goals, I achieved most of my 2019 running goals. I wrote that I wanted to run “more half and full marathons” and run “Grand Valley Marathon in May, a road race which winds through Colorado’s wine country, right by Grand Junction.” Sure enough, I ran both Grand Valley and Rim Rock Marathons. And though I did not run any half marathon races, I ran 13.1 miles several times throughout the year as training runs.
I also expressed that I wanted to “run on the beach in San Diego. I’ll be visiting California twice this year, so there’s a good chance of fulfilling that.” Check! As I actually visited California four times in 2019, I ran along San Diego’s Mission Bay in March, L.A.’s Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches in August, and the desert near Palm Springs in December. Being at sea level, California running is easy cardio wise, but running on sand definitely challenges the muscles!
I did not fulfill my wish of running any trail races, such as Desert Rats Trails Series in Fruita, or Grand Mesa Ultras; I didn’t have the time. However, that is not say I didn’t trail run, from far it: half my mileage for 2019 was on trail. I l equally love both road and trail running, for different reasons. I run road for speed workouts and sprints, and trail I love for the challenge of terrain, hill climbs, and scenery (and of course, dirt is nicer on the joints.)
2019 included the awesome running highlights of running Mt. Evans Wilderness near Bailey, with Chelsea and Emily. In October, I ran Hot Chocolate 15k/ 5k for a second time with Jamie, Yoli, Cate, Trish, Kale, and Emily. And though I neglected mentioning it in last year’s post, I fulfilled my dream of running in a kilt! For Hot Chocolate 15k I proudly debuted my Black Watch tartan. 🙂 Running in a kilt is surprisingly comfy and just plain fun, and I got confirmation of this as I observed several other runners wearing kilts. 🙂
Plus, in 2019 I purchased my first ever Garmin, the Fenix 5 Plus multisport watch, which I absolutely love. You can read my separate blog post Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Unboxing & Overview, to learn more about this amazing watch. 🙂
2020 Goals
For 2020, I’ll be running the Insane Inflatable 5k with my GJ Adventure Tribe, in May; so excited! I’ve also been itching to run a half marathon again, so I’m thinking of Grand Valley Half Marathon, also in May. I do know for certain I want to run a trail race or two, I just need to do some research for upcoming events.
Mountain biking Fruita Desert, 2011.
I also want to start mountain biking again. In high school and college, mountain biking was my other hobby outside of tennis. Once running, I set my bike aside for several years…it’s more than time to remedy that. The very same trails I run on the Front Range and Grand Junction are also wonderful for mountain biking, so I have no excuse to not be riding! I just need to tune up my bike again, and hit the trails. Mountain biking is a great complement to running and vice versa. 🙂
Regardless, I know I’ll have new running experiences this year, no matter the race, terrain, or place. As I wrote last year, as long as I’m running, I’m a happy girl. A runner’s got to run!
Just recently I purchased my first ever Garmin, the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus!
After doing plenty of research, I decided on this particular watch as it is a “[r]ugged multisport GPS watch with routable topo maps and music,” per the box description. Fenix 5 Plus more than meets my needs for a fitness watch: with wrist-based heart rate monitor and advanced mapping, this watch is perfect for running, and many other activities. Select which activity you’ll be doing—cycling, trail running, swimming, etc.,—and this watch will record your workouts. Check out my unboxing video below. 🙂
Rim Rock Marathon Run as recorded by my Fenix 5 Plus.
Specs
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus has a 47 mm case, the middle sized watch between the smaller Fenix 5S (42 mm case size) and the larger Fenix 5X (51 mm case size). Before purchasing I was able to try on both the 5S and the 5. The 5S is perfect if you have smaller wrists (like me; my wrist is 5 in. in circumference), but I found that the larger 5 sat well on my wrist. The larger the watch, the longer the battery life, so I opted for the 5. The 5X is just way too big for my wrist. Note I went for the Plus edition, which has pre-loaded routable topo maps, Wi-Fi connectivity, Garmin Pay, and music storage (up to 500 songs).
Regarding the battery:
Smartwatch mode: Up to 12 days GPS: Up to 18 hours GPS and Music: Up to 8 hours UltraTrac™ mode: Up to 42 hours
As you can see, battery life varies depending on which/ how many settings you are using. This watch is the Glass edition, or that it has a chemically strengthened glass lens. The other edition, Sapphire, is scratch resistant, and runs at a higher price point. You can buy screen protectors for the glass lens.
This watch comes with a 22 mm QuickFit silicone wristband: you can change it out for others colors available online. I’m thinking a navy blue band would look great with the stainless steel bezel. 🙂
This watch syncs up using Bluetooth, to the Garmin Connect App on your phone. Here you can view and analyze your stats, and with the Garmin Connect IQ App, change/ customize your watch face/ display.
Weekly stats as displayed on Garmin Connect App.
This watch is water rated at 10 ATM, perfect for swimming laps. The watch also features safety and tracking features, such as Live Track, so you can let others know of your location.
My Thoughts So Far…
So far I’ve logged 220 miles running on this watch, and I love it. 5 Plus is non-touch screen; instead there are five buttons on the outside edge of the stainless steel bezel. It takes some practice knowing how to use these to move between settings and displays, but I’m getting better. 🙂 I’ll admit I’m not the most “tech-y” person, so I’m still taking some time to fully know and utilize this watch…but so far I’m extremely impressed. 🙂 For a few years I used a Fitbit Charge 2, which has the basics: calories burned, steps climbed, several activity settings, etc. The one disadvantage of this particular FitBit is the small display screen. With my Garmin however, I now get to enjoy a full watch display! I’ve also used apps on my phone to record my running, but no longer. When running or recording an activity with my Garmin, if I stop or pause for a moment, all I have to do is hit the upper right button on the bezel to pause; this was a hassle when using apps on my phone. With my Garmin, recording exercise is much easier, so it was fun to wear this watch at last November’s Rim Rock Marathon in Grand Junction, CO. 🙂
Let’s work out!
I don’t swim much, but my Garmin survived just fine while I waded around in the pool at Glenwood Hot Springs, post Rim Rock 2019. I shower with it no problem, as it’s good practice to clean the underside of the watch, due to sweat. Once you record several dozen workouts over a sustained period, this Garmin can calculate your VO2 Max! According to my watch, my VO2 Max is at 51, or superior. Humblebrag, yes…but it is nice to see the cumulative effects of my marathon training. 🙂
VO2 Max, as displayed on Garmin Connect App.
So yes, I absolutely LOVE this watch; I wear it everyday. As I carry my phone with me when I run, I haven’t really utilized the music settings on my watch, but I can listen to music from my Garmin whenever I choose to. As for the wristband, I usually secure it on the last notch; there are shorter band lengths online for those with even tinier wrists. I usually charge my watch every 2-3 days, as there’s nothing more irritating when your watch dies as you exercise. Throughout the day I’ll review my stats on the Garmin Connect App on my phone, so I can see mileage, calories burned, heart rate, sleep, etc., by day or over a set period of time. As for tracking/ distance, I find this watch to be quite accurate.
Final Thoughts
I heartily approve of the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus! This device exceeds my requirements for a fitness watch. Aesthetically appealing, durable, and with countless capabilities, I am still learning, and very much enjoying, getting to fully know and utilize this watch. 🙂 Garmin just recently released the Fenix 6 Series, so now would be a good time to invest in the 5 series as these are on sale at certain retailers. If you’re looking to make the leap to a high quality and accurate fitness watch, you can’t beat a Garmin! 🙂
On Saturday, November 2, I ran Rim Rock Marathon for a second time. 🙂
2019 Rim Rock Marathon outfit. Note the awesome race tech tee in the upper right.
As this race was my first ever marathon last year, I was inspired to run this beautiful course once again. And just like last year, the weather for this race was picture perfect: sunny and blue skies.
About the course: located on Colorado’s Western Slope, Rim Rock Marathon follows up and along 23 mile Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument, just outside Grand Junction and Fruita. The course gains more than 2000 ft. over the first 6 miles, flattens somewhat, then drops 2000+ ft. for the last few miles. Views from the Monument are superb: red rock canyons, the Grand Valley, Grand Mesa, and the Book Cliffs. The race starts just outside the park’s east entrance, by Grand Junction, and concludes at Fruita’s Circle Park.
Course map as marked out on my Garmin Connect app.
Quite obviously, not the easiest course! For an idea of the course and views, watch the video I made of driving Rim Rock, post race day 2018.
Training wise, I did not run quite as much as last year, as I focused more on incorporating strength training (going to the gym about 3 times a week). Whenever I did run however, I ran more downhill as to be prepared. Rim Rock is a road race, so I transitioned off trails to street surfaces. The longest distance I ran was 16 miles; in September I ran a total of 70 miles, then tapered down to 43 miles total in October. There is a common misconsception that one must run a 26.2 training race, but not so; with the cumulative effect of training and added adrenaline of race day, save the long run for the actual event.
Looking determined. Selfie the morning of the marathon.
Per tradition, the night before the race I carbo loaded at Enzo’s Italian restaurant: I highly recommend their spaghetti. 🙂 Later that evening, I prepped all my racing apparel and gear. Before sun rise, my friend Jamie drove me to Fruita Community Center for the pre-race meeting; runners were on the buses by 7 AM and transported to the starting line just a mile outside the east entrance of Colorado National Monument.
Hurry up sun! Looking east while waiting for the start.
This time around, the buses remained for about a half hour, so runners didn’t have to wait out the pre-dawn cold—last year we shivered outside for about 45 minutes, waiting for the start. Apparel wise, I took the same approach as last year, wearing a tank top and arm sleeves under my light shell jacket. For bottoms I wore my running shorts under my trusty Mesa State tennis sweats—I like the option of being able to shed layers. I wore the same running vest I’ve used on my other marathons, the pockets filled with GUs, waffles, and gels.
With my time chip secured to my shoes, Mizuno Wave Inspire 15, I joined the racers at the starting line. At 8 o’clock sharp, the race began. Last year, I cruised easily uphill; I’m not being sarcastic when I say I love running uphill. Perhaps to my detriment, I expelled too much energy on the uphill last year, and had too little in the tank for the loooong descent. This time around, I forced myself to go at a slightly slower pace uphill, the idea being I’d reserve energy to blaze downhill the last few miles. Now that I have my Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, for this race I could monitor my pace.
View east, approx. mile 9.
The uphill climb I found once again to be easy, and I kept myself in check so I wouldn’t go too fast. Last year I hit Cold Shivers Point, mile 4.5, in about 45 minutes; this time I arrived 2 minutes later, so I was certainly pacing myself. Once the course topped out around mile 6, I picked up the pace a bit. The sun had since risen, and it was a beautiful, cloudless morning with no wind.
View of Coke Ovens.
My anticipation, and actual participation, in the last year’s Rim Rock was unbridled. I truly was excited to run my first ever marathon on such a beautiful course. Being my first marathon, I felt no pressure. This being my third, I (understandably) wanted to PR…however, I just wasn’t feeling quite the fire on this run. Cardio wise, I could run all day. My Garmin calculated my VO2 max at 51, or superior, which is the top 5% for my age and gender. Mentally, however, I could already feel burnout creeping in: not from this race alone, but running overall. Running is my primary sport, and when you do it so intensely and so consistently, burnout is not only normal, but expected. This was my second marathon in 6 months, so yeah, the training load on my body was a lot this year.
Looking N/NE towards the Book Cliffs and Grand Mesa, approx. mile 10.
Despite feeling that lack of fire, I continued. I had no doubt I would finish and enjoy this race. Getting to run the Monument is an absolute privilege. What other course affords you such magnificent views, where some spots you are literally running along the edge of a 1000 ft. cliff? Driving along Rim Rock Drive never fails to impress, and I’ve driven this road plenty of times before. But getting to experience it entirely on foot? Quite unforgettable.
Despite the mental lag, energy wise I felt great. I made sure to grab water at every aid station, set along every 3 miles or so. I wore my wireless Trekz Afteshokz headphones, which are astounding: they lasted the whole duration of my race. Using bone conduction to transport sound, these headphones sit outside your ear, so you can still hear your surroundings as you exercise. Super lightweight, they do not bounce and provide quality sound. I HIGHLY recommend them.
Despite my training, my left IT band began to whine again, just like in my other marathons. The dull ache on the outside of my left knee flared around mile 15, and soon was a sharp, tingly pain. As much as I naturally overpronate (my ankles roll in), I did not experience any ankle pain this race. Nope, once again it was that IT band, and did it hurt. Gritting my teeth, I steeled myself for the agony of the long descent on the highly cambered, or sloped, road. Looking at my watch, I knew would be unable to PR this race: my finish time would be over 5 hours, whereas last year I finished just under 5.
Along several spots on the course I slowed to a walk due to the pain, especially on the downhill. At one point another runner caught up to me and, determined not to let her pass, I resumed running. We kept pace for well over 2 miles, finally arriving at the west entrance and very bottom of the Monument. The last 3 miles into town are still downhill, though much more gradual. But at this point, my left leg was trashed; my right leg was fatigued but felt no pain. Like last year’s race, these last 3 miles are in their own way the most grueling; you just want to be done at this point!
Approaching the finish. Photo courtesy of J. Cucuiat
During the race Jamie texted me encouragement, and I let her know my course location. Knowing my adventure tribe—Jamie, Yoli, Cate, Trish, and Kale—would be at the finish line to cheer me on, I somehow churned out the last 2 miles. Crossing the bridge over the Colorado River, a bald eagle soared overhead, giving me inspiration to run the last incline up and over I-70, and onto the straightaway toward Circle Park. Approaching the finish, I spotted the girls to my left, shouting my name and ringing a cowbell. With one last burst of speed, I crossed the finish, completing Rim Rock Marathon for a second time.
Photos courtesy of J. Cucuiat
I hobbled to a stop, and a race volunteer removed my time chip. I received my finisher’s medal, a striking medallion featuring Independence Monument. My friends hugged and congratulated me. As they have for my other races, they basically take care of me post run: they remove and hold onto my race vest, jacket, and sweats, and usher me over to the massage tent. Pointing to my left knee and quad, the PT gave a me free 5 minute massage on those spots: immediately I felt better.
For several minutes afterward I cheered on runners to the finish. My race time was 5.5 hours…oof. Damn that IT band, I cursed in my head. Yet despite the disappointment of not PRing, I reminded myself that I had just run Rim Rock for a SECOND time. I may have not been in the “flow zone” like last year’s race, but I had yet again completed another marathon. And of course, the best part is having my friends’ encouragement in my running endeavors. Having my support crew, and seeing them at the finish line, is by far one of the best things about running, hands down. Ladies: THANK YOU!!!
Beware the T-Rex at Circle Park! 🙂 L-R: Yoli, me, and Jamie.
Shortly afterward, Jamie, Yoli, and I headed to nearby Hot Tomato. Like last year, I ordered a whole pizza for myself and ate half of it. The rest I scarfed down the next day as I walked around downtown Grand Junction.
After a shower and a long nap, it was time to celebrate! Last year we ladies attended a Halloween party, and this year was no different. That evening Jamie, Yoli, and I went to Warehouse 25 Sixty-Five. With live music and plenty of folks in costume, it was a lively evening. Somehow, I managed (barely) in my heels, after 26.2 miles on my body.
Jamie dressed as a hippie in 1970s authentic bell bottoms and peace sign necklace. 🙂 I’m dressed in yet another variation as a cowgirl. Yoli dressed up as a super cute scarecrow. Photo courtesy of J. Cucuiat.
The next morning, Jamie surprised me with a lovely homemade breakfast: an oatmeal bake and omelets. And not only that, she baked several batches of cookies with my all-time favorite ingredient, white chocolate–you see why I absolutely LOVE my support crew? Jamie is one amazing cook, and I devoured plenty and still had leftovers. 😊
The day after the race I enjoyed a much needed soak at Glenwood Hot Springs. 🙂
This marathon weekend was incredibly fun. I may not have PRed, but it doesn’t matter. I completed a race in one of the most scenic areas in the world, with my friends to cheer me on and spoil me with delicious food, and celebrated Halloween. Doesn’t get any better than that! To my friends and family on both sides of the Divide, much love and gratitude for your continual support in my running journeys. 🙂 For those interested in running a challenging course, I strongly recommend Rim Rock. Featuring marathon, marathon relay, half marathon relay, and newly added 12k, take your pick. 2020 Registration is now open at http://rimrockrun.grandjunctionsports.org/. Hope to see you there!
Last month, my friends and I ran the Hot Chocolate 5k/ 15k in downtown Denver.
We all ran Denver 2018 Hot Chocolate, so this was our second time running this race. A highly popular event held in various cities all over the country, Hot Chocolate benefits Make-A-Wish® Foundation. At the Post Race Party, runners receive a finisher’s mug filled with hot chocolate and other tasty goodies, hence the race motto, “Run for Chocolate.” In addition to receiving a finisher’s medal, you receive a custom race hoodie with the Hot Chocolate logo. A race where you receive chocolate, sweet swag, and help an awesome charity? It’s easy to see why “[s]ince its inception [in 2008], over 200,000 participants have run for chocolate, making [Hot Chocolate] the fastest growing race series in the nation!” according to Hot Chocolate’s official website, https://www.hotchocolate15k.com/. So yes, sign us up. 😊
My friends Jamie, Yoli, Cate, Trish and Kale, and I all stopped at the Hot Chocolate Expo the day before the race to pick up our race packets. Held at the National Western Complex, this expo is super fun, with plenty of vendors, race merchandise and gear, with volunteers handing out chocolate. I was unable to attend last year’s expo, so I was glad to go this year.
That evening, Jamie, Yoli, and I carbo loaded at Giodano’s on 16th Street. We then attended the Denver Zoo’s Enchanted Hallows Night Walk. Elaborately carved pumpkins and spooky music set a mystical atmosphere, and we observed tigers, elephants, and seals. 😊 Cate, Trish, and Kale had an entertaining evening at that night’s Avalanche game at the Pepsi Center.
We all stayed at a hotel right off Federal and 6th, a super convenient location to both the highway and downtown. Before bedtime, I prepped all my gear, ready to reveal a surprise, fun element to my race apparel: my Black Watch tartan, ie., Campbell plaid.
I’ve always wanted to wear a Campbell tartan while running, and this was the perfect race to debut it. I received it a week before the race and did a 6 mile test run in it, and it wore beautifully. When 5:15 AM rolled around, I dressed in a blue tank top, light shell jacket, arm sleeves, with my kilt over my black running leggings. With the 5k scheduled to start at 7:10 AM, Jamie and Yoli headed out before me to the race site at Civic Center Park. After a quick bite to eat in the lobby, Cate, Trish, Kale, and I departed to line up for the 15k.
Haha check out the photo bomber on the far left. 🙂
The morning was clear and calm, much better than last year’s overcast, cold conditions. Our race was scheduled to start at 7:50 AM, and we arrived with enough time to make last minute checks on our gear. With so many thousands of runners, both events feature a wave start, based on one’s estimated pace/ finish time. I made my way into the first wave, with a goal of running a sub 8-minute mile pace. Pacers held signs designating pace times, so it was easy to know where to stand in the mass of runners. The start was right in front of the stately Denver City Council building.
This race has such a lively, fun atmosphere! By nature, I am not a morning person, but from the ambiance alone I was feeling alert and ready to run. At the call of “GO!” I just felt it: I was going to nail my goal time for this race.
Course map from https://www.hotchocolate15k.com/denver/course
Besides debuting my kilt, I also debuted two new pieces of technology during this race: my Garmin Fenix 5 Plus and Trekz Aftershokz Titanium Bone Conduction Headphones. The Garmin in one amazing fitness watch with so many incredible capabilities, and it especially came in handy this race as I could view my pace per mile. And the Aftershokz headphones are BY FAR the best headphones I have ever used. A concept originally developed by the military, the speakers of this device sit outside your ear and transport sound via bone conduction; that way, you can still hear your surroundings while listening to music. Lightweight and with plenty of battery life, I LOVE these headphones and cannot recommend them enough.
Back to the race: with 9 miles ahead of me, I made sure to keep my pace no faster than 7:30 min. per mile; any faster and I feared burnout in the last miles. My Garmin relayed both my live pace and pace I hit at the end of each mile. Energy wise I was feeling great and knew I’d knock this race out of the park. I was concurrently gearing up for Rim Rock Marathon, so 9 miles was a standard training run for me at this point. As I train primarily on hills, my pace would only speed up as Hot Chocolate is overall a flat course through the streets of Denver.
I consumed 2 GUs and several Honeystinger Chews before the race, so I opted not run with my race vest. There were several aid stations and I made sure to grab water and some M&Ms for sustained energy. I wore my Brooks Pure Cadence 6 shoes, my all-time favorite running shoes. With a 4mm drop and contoured fit, these shoes are perfect for racing. I wore them at DreamCatcher Half Marathon last year, and they performed beautifully…so yeah, I admit that these kicks are nearly two years old. Yikes! you might say. But despite their age, they still felt incredible this race. For me, I find the lower the drop (the less my heel is elevated), the more efficient my foot strike, leading to a higher cadence. Hence, “Pure Cadence.”
Sailing through the streets, I was in the “flow zone.” I was relaxed and having fun, running efficiently. My kilt posed no problems, and I had chosen the right amount of gear to stay warm, but not overheat me. I observed about four other folks running in kilts, so I was in good company.
Once the course turned west onto 19th, I picked up my pace a bit. My goal was to finish under 1 hour and 15 minutes. With my Garmin keeping me honest about my pace, I knew I could do it. Turning south onto Broadway, I took off on the straightaway toward the finish line, visible just a third of a mile away, directly in front of the Capitol Building. Legs churning, lungs burning, I passed several folks. Just over the din of the crowd, I could hear Yoli, Jamie, and Cate cheering me on, and with their encouragement, crossed the finish line in 1 hour 13 minutes 44 seconds. My overall pace was 7:55, which meant I had accomplished my goal of running this 15k at a sub 8-minute per mile pace! 😀
I received my finisher’s medal, and made my way over to my friends. We stood on the side to cheer on for when Trish and Kale crossed the finish. At that moment my other great friend and fellow runner Emily found me in the crowd. We hugged and congratulated each other as we both PRed in this race. 🙂 Shortly afterward the mother-daughter duo Trish and Kale crossed the finish line together; it is always so uplifting to cheer on your friends and to see the look of relief on their face upon crossing. They did it!
Kale and Trish
It was a triumphant day: Jamie and Yoli both PRed in the 5k by several minutes, as did Cate in the 15k. Well done ladies, super proud of you! 😀
Jamie and YoliSo proud of y’all! 😀 L-R: Cate, Trish, and KaleHi Emily! Photo courtesy of Emily A.
Now it was off to the Post Race Party to claim our hot chocolate. The chocolate and other goodies—choco-straws, banana, and rice krispies—did not disappoint. Emily hung out with us and we all posed for pics: it was super fun to have Emily meet my Grand Junction Adventure Tribe. 😊 Emily was awesome in driving all us ladies back to the hotel so we could check out, and we all had lunch at Mimi’s Cafe. A successful and fun day indeed! Of course, I had to get ice cream afterwards, so off I went to Little Man Ice Cream on 16th Street.
Photo courtesy of Emily A.Photo courtesy of J. Cucuiat
Whether you’re an elite runner or a newbie, I highly recommend Hot Chocolate. Cool swag and yummy food, running for a great cause: it doesn’t get any better. And when you run with friends, it is an unforgettable experience. To Jamie, Yoli, Cate, Trish, Kale, and Emily: ya’ll are amazing! So very grateful to know and run with you ladies. Cheers to more adventures!
After enjoying the first part of our summer Southwest Colorado trip in Cortez and Durango, my friends Jamie, Yoli, and I continued to the second part: exploring Hovenweep National Monument, the former mining community of Rico, and the small, beautiful town of Ridgway. After our one night stay in Durango, we departed the Strater Hotel the following morning. Before we left, I made sure to inscribe a brief message in the aptly named Room Journal. A notebook in which guests describe their experiences at the Stater and overall travels, I enjoyed reading others’ accounts of their journeys passing through southwestern CO. 🙂
A bright blue day, we headed back east on Highway 160, passing through Cortez again. We then headed north on Highway 491, the land wide and open: if it weren’t for the Abajos to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west, you’d think you were in the Great Plains. Jamie helped navigate as we made our way to Hovenweep National Monument, a park that “protects six prehistoric, Puebloan-era villages spread over a twenty-mile expanse of mesa tops and canyons along the Utah-Colorado border,” as described on nationalparks.org.
Indeed, Hovenweep really is in the middle of nowhere. From Highway 491, it is all too easy to miss the turn for Road BB, which winds west for several miles in near isolation. We then turned southwest onto Co. Road 10, all the while looking for the turnoff to the park, but we missed it and had crossed over into Utah without knowing it. Pulling off to the side, we reassessed our location, backtracked a few miles, and finally found the turnoff, CR 268 A. The Visitor Center, just inside the Utah border, swung into view, and you know a park is truly remote when you observe just 2-3 other vehicles in the lot. Grabbing water, hats, and sunscreen, we stepped out into the glaring sunlight.
Several ruins are situated in Little Ruin Canyon, just outside the visitor center. A 1.6 mile path loops around the ruins, which consists of several walls, foundations, and towers. The most impressive ruin I found to be Hovenweep Castle, a sturdy edifice which does resemble a castle.
Views are stunning, as Sleeping Ute Mountain dominates the southern horizon, puffy clouds meandering across the skies. Approaching the park, the very top of Ship Rock (not pictured), located just over the border in New Mexico, is visible as well. As we walked along in the heat, I marveled at the silence of our surroundings: no cars, no hum of civilization. The entire area was serene and somewhat lonely; a stark contrast from when Hovenweep was a bustling agricultural community “[o]nce home to over 2,500 people” more than seven hundred years ago, according to nps.org.
We only saw five or so other folks during our walk, which was refreshing. As much as I love Mesa Verde, the park is certainly touristy: people and hustle-bustle everywhere. If you are wanting to observe and enjoy Ancestral Puebloan ruins in solitude, then I highly recommend visiting Hovenweep. And the area we visited is just one section of the park: there is more to explore and see on both sides of the Colorado-Utah border.
Big sky country.
Walking at a leisurely pace, we completed the loop in about a half hour or so. I honestly wished we could’ve stayed longer: the isolation of the area, the ruins looming around, was so calming and peaceful. Yoli and Jamie: thank you ladies for recommending we visit this place!
My horse goes where I go!
Departing Hovenweep, we headed back to Cortez, so Yoli could pick up her car where she’d parked it at Stone Turtle Cabins, where we’d stayed the first night of our trip. After I filled up my car and Yoli picked up her dogs, we headed north on Highway 145. Our destination was the tiny, former mining town of Rico. I was feeling sleepy from the heat, so Jamie was kind in driving for me. Cruising away from the desert and into the San Juans, the landscape of Highway 145 is utterly beautiful. Pinyon and juniper give way to cottonwoods and pines, as the road steadily climbs into the mountains.
After an hour or so of driving, Rico pulled into view, nestled in a narrow mountain valley. A silver mining camp in the past, the town was founded in 1879. Old storefronts and masoned buildings line the main street, and we parked along the road. Jamie and I ambled along the main road and the adjoining dirt side streets; Yoli arrived several minutes later and joined our walk. The sun blazed down, though it was noticeably cooler, the elevation being 8,825 ft . With a population of 266, Rico today is much “sleepier” than it was during its mining heyday: in 1892 the town’s population was 5,000. As I suspect, the 1893 Silver Crash “ended the bonanza times , though mining [in Rico] continued sporadically into the next century,” writes Philip Varney in his book Ghost Towns of Colorado.
Rico Court House
We observed several impressive brick buildings, all from the late 19th century. Some have been clearly restored and are in use, while other buildings are abandoned and locked up. For me, a girl who grew up “ghost towning” and fascinated with all things Victorian, Rico is a dream. It was Jamie’s suggestion we visit this lovely little town, so many thanks my friend!
We continued on Highway 145 , before turning onto Highway 62 toward Ridgway. Just when I thought the views could not be more spectacular, I was wrong. We were now further up in the San Juans, hands down Colorado’s most striking mountains: red in color, jagged, and isolated. At one point, we slowed to a near stop as a herd of sheep grazed adjacent to the road. After driving more than an hour, we then began dropping down toward Ridgway.
If you love John Wayne, then you’re aware that the town (pop. 973) and environs served as filming locations for the 1969 classic True Grit. The town park and one boardwalk are featured in the film. Though we didn’t have the time to take a True Grit tour of the town, we passed by the True Grit café (whenever I’m in the area next I’ll stop by for a bite to eat). Walking around, the tiny town was abuzz with tourists and plenty of Jeepsters; I was all too happy to pull up alongside various Jeeps. Last year, I passed through Ridgway briefly on my way to hike Blue Lakes: if you love hiking, I highly recommended this trail. The San Juans do not disappoint.
After giving Yoli a hug, it was time to head back to Grand Junction. Heading north on Highway 550, the mountains receded and the desert emerged once again. The temperature warmed up again as we dropped in elevation. Jamie and I arrived back in town around 7:45 PM. After a bite to eat, we went for a walk, and observed a stunning Western Slope sunset: a fitting conclusion to our trip.
Southwest Colorado is spectacular: from jagged mountains to arid canyons to lush farm fields, this region is unlike any other in the Centennial State. For outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and those obsessed with the American West, I cannot recommend this place enough. I am so grateful for embarking on this memorable summertime adventure with my friends! Jamie and Yoli, a big THANK YOU to both of you: from great live music to staying at unique places, you ladies made this trip not only lots of fun, but possible in the first place. I look to forward to future adventures with ya’ll! 🙂 Until next time,
~LMC
Shout out to singer-songwriter Elle King! We listened to this album several times during this trip: a wonderful blend of rock, country, and blues, making for a memorable soundtrack for our adventure. 🙂
This summer, my friends Jamie, Yoli, and I visited Southwest Colorado!
We departed Grand Junction on July 26 (my apologies for posting this late—I’ve been busy). The prior evening, I went along with Jamie and her family to see beloved country singer Gary Allen perform at Las Colonias Amphitheatre: thank you guys for having me tag along! 😀 We sat just a few rows away from the stage—VIP access—and it was a lively show: Allen is such a talented performer. I’m no country music aficionado, but damn, was I impressed: he can sing, play, and write. The crowd was more than appreciative, everyone standing and singing along the whole evening.
The following morning Jamie and I departed in my Jeep, our destination Cortez, CO. We took Highway 50 south then took Highway 141 west towards Gateway. Driving up Unaweep Canyon never gets old; the upper reaches of the canyon are Colorado’s own Yosemite, the imposing granite cliffs soaring above you.
I’m familiar with Highway 141 up to the tiny community of Gateway, location of the prestigious Gateway Canyons Resort. Looping south, the drive was all new to me, as we drove along the Dolores River, following the striking red rock canyon carved by the river.
This area is incredibly beautiful and isolated. Along the edge of the canyon for several miles are the remains of the Hanging Flume, an open water chute constructed between 1888 and 1891. Sitting about 75 feet above the river, the flume channeled water to help facilitate operations at area placer mines. According to interpretive signs at the pull off, the flume was incredibly efficient, channeling over 23 million gallons of water in a 24 hour period. Wow.
Resuming our drive, we passed the former site of Uravan, an uranium mining town. Once a bustling community, the town was abandoned, eventually razed and declared a Superfund site, due to radioactive contamination. Now well out of Dolores Canyon, we passed through the tiny community of Nucla, and continued on Highway 141. The land flattened out and for several miles resembled the sagebrush plateaus of Wyoming. As we drove further on, I recognized the Abajo Mountains to the east, just over the Utah border, and to the south, the striking profile of Sleeping Ute Mountain, near Cortez.
The view from the cabin looking south, just a few miles from Cortez.
We arrived just outside of town in the mid-afternoon. Jamie had reserved one of the charming Stone Turtle cabins for us to spend the night. Situated in the middle of sprawling ranch and farmlands, this area is the definition of “big sky country.”
Looking out the north facing picture window at the back of the cabin, I observed ranch hands wrangling up cattle.
After unloading my car, Jamie and I headed to town to explore a bit. We parked along Main Street, and stopped by some shops. We visited the aptly named BOOKS, the building near to bursting with new and used volumes. Grabbing some groceries at City Market, we headed back to the cabin. By then Yoli had arrived from her trip to Arizona, having driven from Flagstaff. Shortly afterwards, Yoli’s friend Tisha joined us as well. After having dinner, we got ready to see the band Reckless Kelly perform at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
I absolutely LOVED dressing up for this trip! I’m all for cowboy hats and boots. This was my Reckless Kelly outfit.
At the fairgrounds, the stage was set up in the arena, facing the stands. We watched the entire show while standing in the arena. Unfortunately I didn’t really document this evening, but the small snippet vid below gives you an idea of another fun, music filled evening. Reckless Kelly are a very talented, energetic band. It was a smaller crowd, but no less fun. Thank you Yoli for the tickets. 🙂
Great show!
The next morning we woke early to leave for Durango. After breakfast on the front porch, Tisha left for home, and the rest of us ladies hopped in my car to head east. Highway 160 is a scenic drive, the desert giving way to higher altitude and pine trees. We arrived in Durango in about an hour, and continued to Vallecito Reservoir.
Jamie navigated our way as we drove NE on CO Road 240 for 24 miles through dense ponderosa forest. When the lake came into view, we were stunned at just how big the lake is. Vallecito Reservoir is its own hidden world with plenty of boats, docks, and camping/ RV areas. Driving around the entire perimeter of the lake, I was amazed how much life there was: campers and boaters and cabins everywhere. Without a doubt, this lake merits its own weekend getaway in the future. For this trip, we parked at Vallecito Creek Trailhead and began our trek. Heading north, the trail starts level and wanders adjacent to the Vallecito Campground. Rocky outcrops and TALL ponderosas border the trail. At about 1.5 miles in, the trail begins to ascend, following upstream the narrow canyon formed by Vallecito Creek.
We continued on, and at one point spotted a tiny, sandy beach along the water. The river churned past, and a pile of broken logs and debris on the shore attested to the strength of the rapids.
🙂
We hiked a few more miles, traversing through the forest. Per usual in Colorado, the summer thunderheads rolled in for a brief shower, and for a few minutes we remained under the cover of the pines. Soon the sky cleared, and we came upon one of the larger bridges, our turning point. Here we stopped for snack time and further admired the magnificent settings.
My trusty Salomon Speedcross 4 🙂 The perfect hiking shoe.Hi!
After break time, we headed back the way we came. We arrived at the trail head around 5 PM, our hike totaling about 7.5-8 miles roundtrip: a perfect outdoor adventure. We arrived back in Durango about an hour later, destination the historic Strater Hotel.
Built 1887, the Strater is a premier example of Victorian architecture and interiors. From the handsome masonry to exquisite woodwork and intricate wallpaper, I felt transported to yester-century as soon as I entered the lobby. Our room was located on the first floor at the back of the building—alas, I neglected to take any pics of the room. It was a cozy space with fancy wall paper, and just outside the window ran the famous Durango and Silverton Railroad.
After freshening up post hike, we hit the town. We headed to Steamworks Brewing for dinner, where we sat facing the Hogback: beautiful view. Then we wandered along Main Street. Ever the book worm, I made sure to check out Maria’s Bookshop. Super cozy and welcoming, I know I could spend several hours there.
Spotted: David Roberts’ latest book, which I am currently reading. Book review to follow shortly.
We had ice cream at Cream Bean Berry, then proceeded to Wild Horse Saloon, where we hung out for several hours. A live band played, and folks crowded the dance floor. Once again, people watching is always entertaining.
After several drinks, it was time to hit the hay. Days 1 and 2 of our Southwest CO trip: a success! The adventure continues in Part 2: Hovenweep, Rico, and Ridgway—stay tuned for that upcoming post!
