Boulder County Runner
A new Boulder runner's journey to health, fitness and a balanced lifestyle…Boulder Country Runner moving…
The bocorunner.wordpress.com site is moving to wilddie.net, a dead domain that I’ve had for some time that originally focused on roleplaying and other geeky pursuits. It will now be a repository for all
Hall Ranch holiday run…
My weekend running buddy, Kevin, and I continue to blaze new paths and check out new trails for our long weekend runs. Nothing quite like putting in 9+ miles early before most folks are even awake…it just invigorates me.
This week our ROUTE took us up to the Hall Ranch trailhead near Lyons; two trails run from there, one 9.2 and the other 9.4 miles…we decided to take the longer course and head out on the Nighthawk Trail. While the views from the trail are spectacular, there are spots where it is very sandy which makes it difficult to run in…I’m definitely not a beach running type of person!
The ALTITUDE gain on the run was simply brutal, we did around 1400 feet of vertical ascent in the 4.5 miles out from the trailhead. Both of us were dragging pretty bad by the time we hit the turn around point, but it certainly made for a fun descent back to the car.
Had problems tracking the METRICS as I couldn’t get a clear GPS lock from my iPhone on the initial ascent, got it fixed before heading back down though and updated the log from what my footpod tracked.
- Endomondo Workout: 2h:08m, 9.49 miles, 1296 feet net elevation gain, 13:34 average pace
- Workout Tally: 132 minutes, 1677 calories burned
PHYSICALLY I was dragging and in a funk for the first 2-3 miles, I couldn’t seem to catch my stride or breath at a steady pace. I can’t explain what it was, but it definitely had me thinking about ditching the whole run and turning around…good thing I had a running partner along to push me! Once into miles 3-4 things starting feeling better and I find my stride. The downhill helped as we picked up the pace bounding back and forth along the trail and had a fun run back tot he car.
My SENSES were dull the first half of the run when my mentality was in a funk, I was grinding just go keep moving so I didn’t pay attention to very much. On the way day the story changed, we slowed down and stopped from time to time to take in the spectacular views and appreciate the area we live in. I am truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place.
Quick update…more to come…
Well, the travel and holiday weekend are over…got in a great 9.5 mile run at Hall Ranch in Lyons on Monday morning. Just what the body ordered…no time to update right now, but a full post to come later.
White Rocks Tuesday
Possibly the last run for the week until Monday unless I can sneak one in on my business travels. Got out at lunchtime and hit White Rocks, nice trail near my house…it and Coal Creek are my two closest options.
Typing this up on my iPhone on the plane, so no full RAMPS writeup. Tally was 6.75 miles in 1h:17m for an 11:25 pace. I can say holy cow it was smoking hot…I’ve loved summertime but I’m ready for some cooler fall weather. The trail mix tune that stuck with me…30 Days in the Hole by Gov’t Mule…great live remake.
Another long run coming up early Monday morning, until then my body will probably thank me for some extended rest time.
Boulder Valley Ranch…
Trying to catch my breath from the great week of running last week and prepare for the craziness that is ahead this week. Major work stuff going on, traveling Wednesday through Friday, CU vs. CSU game on Sunday…hectic schedule with likely only two chances to run this week. Gonna have to make the best of it.
My running buddy, Kevin, and I selected various trails out at Boulder Valley Ranch for our ROUTE on Sunday. The area is wide open rolling hills, not as much fun as previous runs in the mountains, but a place we wanted to check out. It will definitely be a good spot during the winter months as the sun should quickly melt off any snow accumulation. For the most part gradual inclines and hard pack trail, not much loose gravel or technical spots. We ended up doing parts or all of several trails: Eagle, Left Hand, Cobalt and Sage.
After my milestone week of course my ATTITUDE was sky high. I was eager to get back out there and see how my body would react to the new long run.
Still leaning more towards Endomondo to track my METRICS, we ended up a bit shy of 10 miles that I was secretly hoping to hit again. No big deal, that albatross is conquered and isn’t looking over my should anymore.
- Endomondo Workout: 2h:00m, 9.44 miles, 364 feet net elevation gain, 12:46 average pace
- Workout Tally: 130 minutes, 1695 calories burned
My body actually recovered PHYSICALLY better than I though it would after the long Friday run. I felt great on Saturday but still took the entire day off from exercise…still had to mow the lawn though…ugh. Except for that first thing in the morning stiffness that quickly walks off, I think my body is adapting to the longer distances.
Not a bunch of memorable SIGHTS on the run, nice views of the Front Range, but nothing spectacular. Did hear two great old school songs that stuck in my head: Lakeside Park by Rush and Tell Me What You Want by Zebra…two tunes that haven’t cropped up on my playlist in recent memory.
