As planned, I headed down to Waterton Canyon for a meet up run. Between the Denver and CoS contingents, there were easily 30 folks including some familiar faces with Ryan K, Wes T, Brownie, Sean, Jim P, and Wyatt.
A few pix …
The early going. Apparently the first 6.5 miles of the Colorado Trail is a road! I did not know this as I had never been on this section.
A break just below the Waterton Dam where wait for Brownie
The trail start, Wyatt in the background.
Typical views … single track, sometimes nice and clear, sometimes socked in with snow and predetermined foot placings
Brownie
I felt pretty good, even in light of yesterday’s effort. Once we hit the snow, I could feel the ankle that I rolled yesterday protesting a bit. I decided I’d make a go for 11.5 miles out or 2 hours, whichever came first. The miles came and I turned around. Several folks were doing a the full section – and so measured at 34 miles.
I was not moving fast on the snow or the steeper downs on the trail, but I was fine with that – enjoying the trail. Once I got back to the dam and hence the road, I was less than stoked to stare at road for six more miles, and I thought I was starting to feel a little less than great. So I did what you are supposed to do when that happens: I pushed it a bit to keep things interesting and to mix things up a bit. I was able to progress each of the six miles to be faster than the prior. A bit of work, but good.
The 23 miles (+) was my longest run of the year, both in terms of miles, time. This week ends up the same with 80 on the week, and over 8.4k feet of vertical – largest yet this year – coming from the effort over this week (37 miles with 7.1k of vert). I can feel it in the legs a bit, but that is good training right now.
I am pretty happy with how things have been progressing on whole. I have been doing pretty well this year with getting in 2 long runs a month (I have logged six now, 5 20 milers or longer, 1 18 miler but in the hills). I am beginning to get a bit more vertical so that is good. On the downside, the Achilles still is not 100 percent (but obviously not completely debilitating), and I still think I am losing a speed step or two.
Good to see the broader MUT/CRUD croo today and to check out some new places.
