Sat 8/13 - AM 70 minutes easy

Looping around Glenwood Springs, trying to stay on the flats. This meant running near the river, even the confluence of the two rivers in town which is a nice spot, no pictures though. Mellow effort, right foot stiffer than I would have liked from yesterday but felt better after post-run stretching. Right ankle as a whole stiff and sore, probably from favoring the foot. As it turns out, this is one of the hotter places in Colorado at this time of year, not so bad when I ran in the morning with stiff breezes blowing but later on in the day is another matter.

Fri 8/12 - AM 90+ minutes

Glenwood Springs, up and down Red Mountain. Trying to preview the course for Sunday, even if I'd had the map in hand I don't know if I'd been able to stay completely on course as it was more confusing up there than I'd expected. Got most of the way up, I think. Time of the run a little fuzzy as there were numerous breaks at the turnaround point, checking out the large metal cross that looms over town which is right next to the field where paragliders launch themselves into the valley. Also stopped at a slightly lower point to chat with a local about the trail, who took this:

Better view down the valley heading towards Aspen and Mt. Sopris:

the payback for all these breathtaking views of course came in the descent, steep but not unmanageably so but the road surface had sections of loose rocks just big enough to be potentially problematic. Had to watch it in spots, and after the run I could feel the right plantar that had been bothering me less and less over the past 10 days. Definitely aggravated it some, not too bad but doing this in flats, at race speed, could be another matter.

Thu 8/11 - AM 2+ hours, Sunnyside trail

Another day of climbing (and descending), this time in Aspen. A town much better experienced from above than up close:

As advertised, the initial climb was no joke, 45 minutes or so most of which was very steep. Reached  the upper elevations with the largest aspens in the state or so I'm told.

The trail on top was quite nice, shady, cool and relatively flat. Taking it easy after the climb up, no stress to speak of. The descent back to the valley floor was more of a trial than I would have liked, thanks to nearly getting lost trying to find the damn bike path to get back to the starting point. Luckily came across a guy walking his dog who put me straight before I headed down a dead end. Walked with him for a few minutes, by this point I had been out around two hours and wasn't really keeping track anyway. Pace varied on the descent, sometimes hauling along in get it over with mode.

Wed 8/10 - AM 3.5 hours run/hike, Mt. Massive

Second 14er in three days, although this one had a higher starting point and about half the distance. About 2 hours to get up, just over 80 minutes to get down which was surprising. Found the running much easier coming down than expected, and ran much more of the descent than I thought I would. Good effort overall, although the first 15 minutes were steep enough that I felt like I was being buried. Trail leveled off at times after that until reaching treeline. Took a break soon after the hour mark, found the trail to be too steep for much running after that. Frustrating stretch reaching the saddle that leads along the ridgeline, after that though I could smell it and the last bit, while craggy and requiring some scrambling, was relatively easy.

Spent a good while at the summit admiring the views:

Leadville

Twin Lakes, site of yesterday's run

Legs felt better than expected after the run, probably due to the trail not being quite as steep below treeline compared to the Barr Trail. 

Tue 8/9 - AM 75 minutes easy

Out and back in Twin Lakes along the Colorado trail. Mellow jog out to the once and future resort, spent a long while poking around the various buildings, then an equally slow return trip.

Predictably, feeling it in the legs from yesterday's effort, mainly the descent which I ended up doing a lot faster than I had originally planned or should have. Left with sore adductors on both sides as a result.

Mon 8/8 - AM 6 hour run/hike, Pikes Peak

Course preview for weekend after next. Successfully reached the summit, unlike in June. No snowbanks to deal with above treeline of course which made a huge difference. Just over 3 hours on the ascent, a bit quicker on the way down. Took a relatively short break of 5-10 minutes at Barr Camp both on the way up and back down, spent more like half an hour at the summit checking out the view along with the hordes of tourists who drove or took the train. Ran most of the way up, although there was more walking than running above 13,000'. Walked most of the way down from the summit to Barr Camp. Felt like my legs had nothing left in them coming down initially, but after the break at Barr Camp ran most of the rest of the way down. Desire to get back and eat lunch a powerful motivator at that point. The lowermost stretch of the trail, i.e. the w's, seemed interminable. Clear day, hot below 9,000'. Some wind above treeline but nothing like what I experienced in June. Perhaps not the greatest idea doing this two days after arriving but I made it in one piece, hoping to feel more acclimated when it comes time for the race. Surprising in hindsight how little food/gel I took in, forgot to take any gel at the start and ended up only having two the entire trip. Didn't really bonk that I could tell. Lungs irritated from all the heavy breathing, which I expected.

Sun 8/7 - AM 2:15 trail run

Rampart Reservoir Trail from Rainbow Gulch. Nice scenery, trail smooth for the most part. The many, many twists and turns of the trail as it followed the highly sinuous shore of the res got a bit annoying the last half hour. Early on, felt dead legged and ascribed to the 9000' elevation and being less than 24 hours off the plane. Moving better later on in the run though, perhaps a get it over with thing. Right foot a bit sore to start but held up fine overall. Cool to start, with the temp rising as the sun did of course. Breeze kept things cooler as the morning progressed however. Stopped near the end to soak the legs for 10 minutes in the exposed aqueduct. Good stuff.