Just Plodding Along

Otherwise known as the struggle is real when it comes to running. We got back to Colorado the end of July and after two months off and then another week to let a bruised heel (from backpacking) heal starting to run again at 7K feet seems like cruel and unusual punishment. And just when I started to get in shape I got Lasik. Good news....I can see!!! Without glasses!!! It is amazing!!!!!!! Bad news.....I had to take another week off to let my eyeballs heal. Which I am totally okay with cause I CAN SEE!!!!!!!!!!!! I have worn glasses and/or contacts since I was 16. Waking up and being able to see is the best thing ever!!!!!! EVER!!! I haven't been running but I have been making things out of the new Run Fast. Eat Slow cookbook. So if I am not blazing fast tomorrow when I go for a run (first one in 7 days what could go wrong) I am returning it. Not really, but only because this almond torte is delicious and going to be made again. And I don't want to brag but I tweete...

Walk breaks have basically been the key to my running in Colorado since I got here. Because breathing is hard. Real hard. But the scenery around here it not bad. I have been running pretty consistently but nothing over six miles. It is taking awhile to adjust to the elevation (7,000+ feet). The nice thing is there is plenty of trails and long, empty country roads.  On Saturday I ran the Rock Hawk 10k. Luckily I had enough sense to not register for the half marathon which was my first inclination. I would probably still be out there running. The Rock Hawk Trail race was brand new and pretty small. But like other races I have been to in Colorado, everyone looked like they had stepped straight out of trail runner magazine.  This was a new one... D went with me and commented on the number of tiny shorts. I informed him that the tinier the shorts the faster you are and that he should note that I had capris on. I was optimistic that maybe I could finish in an hou...

After two half days of driving we made it to Colorado! On the way we stayed in a hotel full of character. And were met by some incredible views and weather. We are all very happy to be here. And I have been here two seconds and acquired another hat. Now the prep for National Park tour 2016 begins. Full speed ahead to adventures. 

Unfortunately our family dog Sammy had to head up to the big farm in the sky this past week where she can forever chase bunnies and eat horse poop (just assuming that dog heaven provides an overabundance of her favorite things down on earth).  So Max and I headed home to hang with my family. Miss you Sammy dog It was nice. We hung out, talked about missing Sammy, and ate a lot. Actually Sammy's love of food and enthusiasm for eating and our love of food and enthusiasm for eating is how she fit right in when she was rescued. It was weird not having her around and her tail thumps and gentle nature is much missed. While I was there I went for a 4 mile oxygen free run.....and realized that when we relocate here running will be extra difficult for awhile. But you can't beat the views. They would take my breathe away if I weren't already missing it while stumbling around light headed while the tips of my fingers get tingly from lack of oxygen. I grew up in Colorad...

....where were we. Right. Van 2 just being too dang fast for me to get any beauty sleep. After Van 1 had finished their second legs and eaten dinner around midnight we headed to the next exchange were we would be needed and watched Stacey and Ian put up a tent for us (like Kara, Cathryn and I literally just stood there with our mouths hanging open while Stacey and Ian put up a tent in record time. At the time I felt the biggest help I could be was to stay outta the way but I am sure we looked ridiculous). Then we zonked out for what felt like minutes when apparently Van 2 called and said get your lazy butts out of bed it is go time. Okay I don't really know what they said but I am just going off what I probably would have said had I been calling. Kara completing her 3rd ridiculously hilly leg of the relay.  Van 1 was up for our third and final legs. By this point no one felt great. Everyone was sore from going up and down hills, sitting in the van after running hard and...

Not to spoil the ending but We did it! 1st to start, last to finish but no creative finish needed! Thursday morning I picked the lovely Cathryn up at the airport and we headed to Fort Collins for a day of shopping before heading to the team dinner. The team dinner was the first time many of us met. I struck gold with this relay team! Everyone was super nice and excited to run. Fun side story- one of my van mates was also a fellow CSU Edwards Hall resident where I resided freshman year of college. We each thought the other looked familiar and finally figured it out. She ended up becoming friends a few years later with Stacey, my friend from high school...and we all ended up running the Wild West Relay together. Small world situation happening here.  We had a lovely 5 a.m. start time on Friday since we were on the moderate speed side which worked out well since we needed most of that time. I think about 9 teams started at 5a.m. We checked in and got started withou...

Max and I have been hanging in Colorado in part because the D was away at training for a few weeks and in part cause Colorado is awesome and the Wild West Relay is happening this Friday!!! I like to think residing at a higher altitude for a few days will help the I can't breathe I am gonna die running up this mountain feeling. I am a dreamer.   I have only been on one run here for a little under four miles but it felt good but was slow due to hills, altitude, and my need to take a picture every 50 feet. I was going to go this morning but it was raining so maybe....this afternoon....or maybe on Friday when the relay starts;).  Instead I have been very busy going to the Denver Botanical Gardens to see the Chihuly blown glass exhibit and then ended up at the Tattered Cover Bookstore where I couldn't resist.  I also hit up the the Parker farmers market where I saw the best sign ever and obtained the best tasting gluten free lemon crumb muffins. I had to, ...