[at-l] Another typical weekend (trip reports and pics)

[pmags at yahoo.com (Paul Magnanti)]

It is very rare where I do not do anything on a
weekend in Colorado.

This weekend was no exception.

To cover for vacation time, being nice and working not
only this past Saturday but this  coming Saturday as
well. So, could not do much during the day. But, I was
out by 1PM so met my friend Josh for a trail run in
the early HOT afternoon.

Normally I train with Marni who is Josh's fiance'.
Marni and I have the same pace on the flats. She run's
faster on the uphills, I go faster on the downhills. 
All in all, we have a pace that is very compatiable. 
She had something to do in the afternoon so we were
not able to get in a run together. So Josh and I made
plans to run together.

I can not keep up with Josh when running. 
He is tall, lean and a good minute (if  not, two)
miles per faster than me on his "casual" runs. He fits
the profile of a classic runners build. While I am in
good shape, I do not have the the classic runners
build. :-) (Short, stocky (if, to be honest, very
muscular in the legs), great endurance but not esp.
fast when running). 

With these facts in mind we went on our run at 1:30 or
so in the afternoon. It was hot by Colorado standards.
(Mid to high 80s). Josh stated off the run. He was
going a little slower..I was running a little faster.
Anyway, he sped up (and ran up the steep trail! :O)
and I slowed down to my steady pace and enjoyed the
run.
An hour or so into the run came to a trail junction.
Had a fifty/fifty chance of deciding which way to go.
You can guess if I chose the way my friend went? :-)
Long story short, did a three hour run and ran out of
water two hours into the run. Made it back to Josh's
house where I greatfully sucked down whatever cold
drinks he offered me.  :-)

It was a good run in the sense it was nice to know
could push myself when neeed. The big race is in three
weeks..so, well, good to do something like that. 

Sunday did a hike just west past the town of Lyons.
The hike de jure was the Homestead Meadows Trail
System. An honest to goodness homestead area from the
turn of the last century. Large open meadows,
meandering creeks, views of the snow-capped Mummy
Range. Once in the meadows, the hiking is easy. To get
to the meadows involved a moderate amount of elev gain
along rolling hills (~1300 feet). As mentioned the
creeks were lovely and the aspens are starting to show
their leaves. There was a fire at the homestead area
two years ago. One of the amazing things about Ma
Nature is how quickly she can recover. Among the burnt
down trees many wildflowers were starting to show.
Pretty! 

We had lunch in an open field that views of the
previously mentioned Mummy Range.

Though it was a little cooler a 7000' feet or so
elevation, it was still a bit warmish.  After this
moderate hike (9-10 miles with the the 1300' elevation
gain), something cold and delicious would be nice.
There is a soda foutnain in the nearby town of Lyons.
Ice Cream cones for some...and an Rootbeer float for
me. Mmmmm  

Afterwards rode back with Marni. Josh could not make
the hike. I only metion this tidbit because before we
went back to our houses, we stopped by Target and
picked up some cleaning products. Yep, a new level of
friendship is reached when you spend a weekend with
friends AND shop for cleaning products with them
afterwards. :-)
 
And odd thought came out of this weekend: When trail
running, I am a middle of the packer at best. When
hiking, very few can keep up with me (including Josh).
Different muscle groups? Different type of pace I
happen to be better with? Sure some sports phyisician
can explain this oddity. For now, I'll just enjoy my
moderate paced runs and my fast hikes. :-) Good
company, good scenery and wondeful memories with both.


Some pics at:
http://gallery.backcountry.net/co04?&page=4

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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.magnanti.com