Sunday, January 30, 2011

Arm Wrestling at the Cafe

One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday morning is to go out for breakfast. I especially love heading up to the mountains and finding some  log-cabinish, out of the way spot where the locals hang.

So, this morning we headed up to Allenspark, which along the Peak to Peak Highway on the road to Rocky Mountain National Park. Today was especially memorable because my brother and nephews are in town from D.C.

Saw this guy on the way. I named him bighorn because I am clever:

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Ate at the Meadow Mountain Café, tucked away in the winding roads near Long’s Peak, one of Colorado’s highest moutains.

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Might look dumpy, but it’s tasty.

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Had myself the Meadow Mountain two egg omelet cause I like to order the entrée that is named after the restaurant. Yes, this means at Chilis I get the chili.

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Sam and my dad did some arm wrestling because that’s what the locals do. You can tell that I get my incredible strength from my dad. He his clearly kicking Sam’s ass:

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Nice signage in the bathroom. Guess you’re allowed to flush only when you blow it up SUAR-style:

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We passed the place where Ken and I got engaged 17 years ago (St. Vrain Mountain). It may not look like much, but it’s 12,000 feet and with a 40 lb pack, not so easy.

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He popped the question on top of the dumpster:

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Only problem with these early morning breakfasts up in the hills is everyone feels really sick on the way down. I love kids, but one drawback is they throw up a lot. I am not a fan of vomit.

Hip update. After a tough elliptical session and yoga on Thursday, 30 minutes of running on Friday and hiking yesterday, my hip was pissed. Today I am discouraged and am drowning myself in omelets and pancakes and coffee. Oh, gods of healing, when will you fix me up just right? I’m on a schedule you know. 11 weeks and counting ‘til Boston. Will I be ready?

Today I found myself Googling, “training for marathons without running.” I think that is one of the sure signs you might be in trouble.

How was your Sunday morning? Are you a big fan of going out for b-fast?

From the land of snow and sun,

SUAR

59 comments:

  1. Omelet looks amazing. I think I'm going to go make one right now. And I have a happy feeling about Boston. I think you'll pull out a great race, even a pain-free race. You're doing all the right things and you have the fitness base.

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  2. With a positive attitude you can do anything you put your mind to. You've ran a marathon before... even if you have to walk, you'll finish because of your hard work and determination. Failing isn't an option. Believe in your ability and kick ass.<3

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  3. It's weird to see so little snow in Colorado, when the rest of the country is getting socked!

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  4. That brunch place looks great, and I want to visit Colorado! I'm certain your fitness level is very high right now...

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  5. I love the log cabin-esque joints in the mtns. I'm convinced the best pizza place in the world is in Leadville. I might just plan a weekend backpacking trip over the summer just to go back again... Don't get discouraged about the hip. You're strong and 11 weeks is a long time. Hang in there! You're GOING to Boston whether that dang hip says so or not.

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  6. I like the out of the way places also, except here you hear dueling banjos in the background.

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  7. Some of the dumpiest-looking places have the awesomest food. I love going outbto breakfast…so do my kids…I usually wish we could do it separately, though.

    So being the honest, "older", previously-injured-and-staging-a-return female athlete (enough qualifiers in there?) I have some ideas on making the whole Boston thing work for you. Not sure how inundated with ideas you are at this point, so lemme know if you want another two cents :)

    And I completely agree with Gracie and Nicole regarding your ability to make it happen. You are one amazing athlete/fighter.

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  8. The Meadow Mtn Cafe looks awesome. I love out-of-the-way, unique dining establishments. If I travel to CO in the near future, I'll have to check that place out!

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  9. I love going out to breakfast. At noon. I'm not sure how we're going to deal when we finally have kids and they wake up early and puke and shit everywhere.

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  10. We have a cafe here in Canada called Cora's (or Chez Cora in the French parts). Makes the best breakfasts ever with lots of fresh fruit and real ingredients! You would absolutely love it.

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  11. It is so pretty up there! I'm not a fan of throw-up either..yuck!
    I love going out to breakfast, but we never go to the cool places like you! :)

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  12. Good luck on your training for bostson, I hope to be able to go one day!
    Also, loved all the pictures!

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  13. That breakfast has me craving pancakes! Yum!

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  14. XLMIC- yes, bring on the advice. shutuprun@gmail.com

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  15. I was in Coloroda in the mountains a coulple of weeks ago. We ate at the Turntable in Minturn. It to was a little hole in the wall with great food. Hang in they Beth. You will get to do the Boston Marathon even if you have to walk across the finish line.

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  16. Make up your mind to walk Boston if you have to, and then train as best you can. That's what I did for Disney and, honestly, it was the most fun I've ever had on a race. If I'd had my training partner with me Disney would have been perfect. The old me (during my Army days) might have quit because I wasn't sure I could run the whole thing. And I'd have missed out on a great experience if I'd done that.

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  17. I honest to goodness cannot remember the last time I went out for breakfast. This MIGHT have something to do with the fact that I'm at work by 6:30 through the week, and on the weekends my nightowl of a husband stays up super late and then sleeps past lunch.

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  18. My grandma has that sign on her island cottage, but it's "on this island of sun and fun, we don't flush for number one." Along the way this line got added: "If it's brown please flush it down."

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  19. Let's recap my weekend, maybe you'll feel better!
    Friday: felt my lung all full of guck and the first sign something wasn't "right" in my throat. Tired! Ran about 3 of the 6 miles I wanted to and then just did a few situps and thought Saturday I'd jut get back on schedule.
    Saturday: Schedule? Bahahahah. Full-blown sore throat, swallowing was excruciating and I was coughing up loads of yellow crud. Love that stuff! Consumed about 6000 calorie at Park Burger, and I don't even eat red meat much. Wasted about 5 hours researching trail running shoes and got some at Runner's Roost that I don't even like. Came home and took a nap because I felt like hell and thought I'd just run after nap. Got up from nap, felt worse than before, and didn't run. Went to bed at like 8:30 on a Sat. night.
    Sunday: Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough. Throat on fire. Whatever, suck it up, get out there and get that long run in that you missed last week due to the cortisone shot, Jillie. I knew I was in trouble when about a half mile into the run, I had to stop for about 4 minutes to cough up a lung. Mile 3 my legs were aching so bad...you know, like when you have a fever and you just ache to death? Yeah. Made it 9 miles and than my heel decided to start laughing at me so I walked/ran 3 miles home. Ran into a friend about a mile from home and she said, "Omg, are you limping?" Oh great...I fear the bad habit of changing my landing on my bad foot is here permanently.

    Feel better?

    I'm thinking knitting is the way to go!

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  20. The best is breakfast for dinner. Made this the other night and was the best thing I've ever eaten:http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/12/the-eggberts-sunriser/

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  21. I love finding little hole-in-the-wall breakfast spots. Especially where you order your breakfast by pointing to the picture of it....yea, especially those!! Hope your hip isn't too angry with you. * healing vibes *

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  22. I love the Walnut Cafe in Boulder, but not on Saturday or Sunday a.m.! Remember the deal with Boston: the hard part is earning it, which you DID. Taking part is the PRIZE. Do what I plan to do if I ever manage to earn it--go slow, wear a tiara and eat a big breakfast before AND after.

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  23. I had ramen noodles for breakfast... but I ate at a little shelter on a trail, so that should count for something.

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  24. I want those pancakes! Lovely day!
    LC

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  25. I think you need to sacrifice a virgin to the running gods...........

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  26. We say 'if it's yellow, let it mellow' in my house, but I might adopt their CO- specific version to make it feel more special.

    I think your hip is just adjusting, and will continue to bounce back as it has been doing so well. You are doing everything right. You will prevail! Want me to come down and run with you? I am so slow that I bet we could fool your hip into thinking you're hanging with the Posse.

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  27. Breakfast (especially out somewhere) is my favorite meal! Love the arm wrestling pic.

    So, so sorry about the hip. Start thinking big picture here...getting back to running permanently, not temporarily to get through Boston and then potentially face another layoff. I know I'm being Debbie Downer, and I'm sorry. Just throwing out my two cents. I'm also pulling for a miracle for you.

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  28. Your surroundings in CO look amazing! Breakfast out is such a nice treat--food always taste better when someone else does it!

    So sorry that hip of yours is screaming at you! I'm really hoping Boston can happen, but moreso that you heal so you can run for many years.

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  29. Just because you are not running doesn't mean you are not working and training hard. Enjoy those pancakes and keep working towards your recovery. You are already better off than you were three weeks ago.

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  30. I'm not a big fan of big breakfasts. I'm watching my girlish figure. Today I went to the golf tourney at Torrey Pines and was like 20 feet away from Tigers Woods.

    Do you know any Native American Indians who can do a heal SUAR's hip tribal dance? You will be ready to run Boston and have fun. You may not win it, but you will have fun.

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  31. Heather, thanks for the reminder about Cora's. There's one not far from here and we've been meaning to try it. Other good places are the Galaxie Diner, The Belmont Diner, and if you're willing to drive out of town a bit to Turner Valley, and are REALLY hungry, there's the Chuckwagon. Actually you have to be really hungry for all of these.

    I like the small, out of the way places for eating. I'd rather try something like that any day, than a chain restaurant.

    And Beth, this coming back from an injury shiz sucks big time. And I know about the race in what seems like next week. But your hip doesn't. Be kind to it. You need to walk on that hip the rest of your life.

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  32. Mmmm, I read your blog earlier and have been craving pancakes ever since, so much so that I had to come back and look at that picture again! Thinking of you and your hip.

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  33. I really liked your name for that deer/antelope thingy. It shows true imagination and a keen grasp of the obvious. Have you ever thought of changing Lucky's name to Cyclops? I've been inspired and want to change my dog(with the dodgy hips)'s name to Ilene - but he's a boy and might have a gender-identity crisis.

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  34. Oh my gosh!!
    Our family used to have a cabin at a lake, and in it was a little plaque. That plaque is now on display in my bathroom. It reads:

    In these isles of sun and fun we never flush for number one!

    Sound familiar??

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  35. Sunday breakfast is one of the best things in life. Instead of breakfast I ran 21km (the long run before my first half marathon on Feb 20!) and then made myself some glorious French Toast. Although almost anything would have been glorious at that point.

    If anyone can do the Boston 11 weeks from now after all these setbacks it is you. Keep the dream alive!

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  36. Sunday's are my day of rest, usually that translates to I have more time to eat. However my splurge is usually lunch. Sorry about your hip.

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  37. Wow, you know it's "Mom and Pop" when you aren't supposed to flush!

    I'm not a fan of eating breakfast out. I just don't like b-fast food much except cereal, toast, oatmeal, etc. Bacon and eggs or pancakes almost always give me a tummy ache!

    Sorry about the discouragement... my fingers are always crossed for you to be HEALED!

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  38. That bathroom sign is a little scary to be in a restarant. Just sayin. My Sunday morning consisted of grabbing Special K bars for all six of us on the way out to make it to church on time. Somehow your breakfast looked better. Sorry about the hip still...ugghhh....must be so frustrating. Wish I had any answers for you. Hang in there.

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  39. How BEAUTIFUL! What a great time! Sundays.. church then running. Haven't been to brunch in years!

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  40. "I named him Bighorn because I am clever" Bahahaha!

    Stupid hip....30 minutes running. You would have killed for that a couple of weeks ago right!!! Your hip is getting a lot of action with that run/hike/yoga/elliptical. Give it a little rest and it'll put out again!

    Looks like a great Sunday! We ate at the huge Sunday buffet at the hotel. I'm pretty sure the staff was unaware of how much hockey players eat. (or how much running moms of hockey players eat:)

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  41. Breakfast out is one of Bill and I's favorite thing about the weekend! We went out Saturday AND Sunday!!!!! Loves a big breakfast on a weekend - especially after a looooong training week!

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  42. It's not impossible to run a marathon without training. I know someone who did it! My friend's roommate signed up for the New York City Marathon through work. I'm not sure how, exactly because I know NY has qualifying times, but she works for one of those big money firms that got government bailouts and still paid their execs bonuses, so maybe they also buy their employees charity spots in the marathon? It doesn't matter. The point is, she signed up without knowing that all marathons are 26.2 miles, thinking that she was signing up for a 10K or some other short distance, until the final weeks before when the other runners in the office were talking about tapering. She had never, in her life, ran more than 10K, and she finished the New York Marathon.

    You can do it!

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  43. Sorry about your hip! I'm as pissed as it is. I have to try that breakfast place! Here's what I did this morning - http://thetrailgoesonforever.blogspot.com/

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  44. back in 97/98 I was off running for 9 months, no I didn't have a baby, but a stress fracture of the knee!!! when I started running I still had pain, but I was told I was healed so the pain was just scar tissue... and it was. Good luck

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  45. How was your Sunday morning? Are you a big fan of going out for b-fast?

    Sunday morning was great, I did my time on WiiFit, burned a decent amount of calories IMO and got to spend some quality time with my dog.

    I'd much rather have breakfast at home. It's cheaper over all and I have control enough to eat only what I like. I often find my self disappointed with food from most places.

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  46. I've found the dumpiest looking places to eat are usually the best places to eat!

    Instead of doing it 'run or shine', you will be 'walk or run'! You will do it!

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  47. I'm also dealing with a hip issue & with a half marathon in 4 weeks (Disney Princess) have also googled training for half marathon without running... it just looks like a stupid question. Jealous of your 30min run... only at 5min so not sure of my Phys Therapist's plan to actually get me to run 13... maybe she is hoping I'll stop reminding her of how many days left I have... Suggested my husband go ahead & reserve a wheel chair for me at Disney... this will be soooooo ugly!

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  48. The Meadow Mt. Cafe looks like a great place to have Sun. breakfast. Love those places with a lot of personality.

    As for your hip, my fingers and toes are crossed for you Beth. This is tough on you and I really hope I get to meet the ever intriguing SUAR blogger in Boston this year. :) Take care of that hip.

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  49. I love finding places like this!! They usually have the best foods!!

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  50. My son at age 15, ate so much once at a chinese buffet. We left the restaurant, drove across the street to the convenience store for something and he had to get out to puke. I told him to run around the side of the building, but he couldn't make it. He was standing there hurling volumes of food beside the main door as people went in and out. I stayed slouched down in the car, pretending I wasn't with him and thinking, there goes my 15 bucks.

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  51. i never flush for just pee at home, but have serious issues peeing on top of someone eles's pee.

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  52. Ugh, I recall getting car sick from the drive to the top of Pike's Peak.....circa 1977.
    Those pancakes look delish.

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  53. Love the bathroom sign! You always make me laugh!

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  54. I love going out for breakfast! Your google habits crack me up.

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  55. What a fun morning! I love that he proposed at the top of the mountain. Girl, I am so sorry about your hip....you are doing everything right!!! I am praying for you! I have to meet you there so maybe I am being really selfish:) Good luck!!
    Going to breakfast is one of my favorite things EVER!!!

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  56. Let's break this down Joe Thiesmann style:

    1- Why not White Ass instead of Big Horn? I mean you can see more of it/she/he's ass than the horn.
    2/3 - Good thing you weren't there on Thursday and if you go on Thursday does the sign above you say closed? And why wouldn't you eat at a 'dumpy' place?
    3- Do you order the Friday's or the Hooters or the Twin Peaks?
    4- There is that word dumpster or some version of it.

    I love going out to b-fast on Sunday AMs. I usually go for a swim really early then come home and pick up Chico and we go eat while Karen runs. Male bonding time. I have to email you a pic from yesterday's trip that will make you laugh.

    This hip is in your head now. You are worried and worried and worried, but in reality what can you do? You can only do the things in your control and will respond when it is ready. It is tough I know, but you will be in Boston in 11 weeks and will prove to us all how what tough SOB you are. I will send pic now so you can laugh.

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  57. Jason. Just died laughing at that pic. Thx.

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  58. I havn't had a pancake in a month, and I think it may have to be my post race breakfast/brunch after this weekends race. Yes I love omelets.

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  59. That sign is a riot!! My uncle had a cabin and had one that said "if it is yellow let it mellow, if it is brown, flush it down" Made sense!!

    I love those little dive places. They are almost always the BEST!!!!

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