Canyon Trail Hike/Jog November 2012

Canyon Trail Hike/Jog, Second Visit into the mountains for us since moving to Colorado not even two weeks ago.  We had friends tell us about this trail over Thanksgiving dinner.  In the shape of a lolly pop about 7+ miles, make sure to take it clockwise as its some what easier than counter clockwise.  It was a great day, over cast with highs in the upper 60's.  We set off with full osprey packs, food and first aid with extra jacket as they said we were under a wind advisory.  This trail is open to bikes but not on Saturdays, so all we had was foot traffic and that was few and far between.  This trail is mostly dirt and rock, with very technical foot.  We came up on a parking lot at the start of the "lolly pop" after a 1.5 mile CLIMB with switchbacks.  This location had restrooms as well.  Testing out my SUUNTO watch and heart rate monitor.  Why? ....... at this altitude it was already hard to breath.  :)  My watch would start to beep as it dropped below 125, then we would take off again.  Trying to keep it from beeping at us became a game.  I am sure I will feel it tomorrow.  

Max altitude was 6581, with a distance of 7.3 miles. 

Honey Stingers and homemade Turkey Burgers sure made the time on the trail go faster.

Stay tune for more........This is just the START!

Heritage Trail Half Marathon along the Wabash River

13.1 Miles of Heritage Trail Marathon, along the Wabash River, lots of sand and more sand.

West Lafayette, Indiana

I really wanted to do this marathon but life got in the way of training so I signed up for the half.  The start/finish, out and back course was at Fort Quation, a mile from where I grew up as a kid and where my mom still lives.  The trial was not there when I grew up, not that it mattered as I was not a fan of running until about 6 years ago.  It was a cool and brisk morning, lots of trail runners trying to stay warm as the sun came up.  PA was in full swing with music and welcoming everyone.  One thing I love about PA, they cheer you on if your 1st and if your last.  They just want you to have a great experience and enjoy your race.  Lets just say the gun went off, I was struggling to get moving it seemed after my hour and half drive up from Indy that morning.  The trail started on a short gradual grassy uphill to a paved walk way along south river road then ducked into the woods taking you on a winding, some VERY SANDY sections, over roots but pretty much flat trail that ran along the river.  I thought this was very pretty until I was blinded by the sun coming off the wasbash river.  At one point I thought to myself "I cant see, I hope I don't run into a tree" and then turned my head to refocus to have the sun hit me again.  That soon passed as we came up on downtown Lafayette, over the bridge and continued to head east for a few more miles to the turn around.  Thank goodness for the turn around....ah, more friendly volunteers that reminded us runners what cup was HEED and what one was WATER.  Thank you!  I continued my slow run back and pushed on....remember talking to myself after my Ipod decided to die.  As I was with in 1/2 of the finish I could hear music off in the distance.  The finish line!......come on finish line....:)  It was over.  Ah......PWild