Wednesday, July 4, 2012

I Take My Runs on the Rocks

Happy July 4th! No better way to show allegiance to my country than to run through some Purple Rocky Mountain majesty, right? There might even be some amber waves of grain involved.

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About 1 mile in – Heil Ranch

I know some people like to sleep in, but for me there is no better way to start the day then getting up super early and heading to the hills for a trail run.

Joie, Ken and I went to the Heil Ranch trailhead between Boulder and Lyons. We got there at about 6:00 a.m., and after taking my token dump, we started climbing. We did a nice 8 mile lollipop loop. I like to think it was a Charms Blowpop because those are my favorite. I love this trail even if there are one or two or nine million rocks.

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The first 2.5 miles has a fair amount of climbing (1,000 feet or so), but once you get to the top for the short loop, it flattens out a bit.

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The views are tremendous. I know you think this is a postcard, but I am just that gifted.

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Here is a little bench you can sit on if you are not used to the altitude. I will try not to call you a pussy.

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I think this would be a fine camping spot. If you look really closely, you can see Longs Peak in the distance.

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This picture freaks me out. Ken is all super imposed on himself. Either that or I’ve been sleeping with a ghost for 18 years:

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Coming down, Ken was behind Joie and me. He said we smelled. Like a B.O. smell. I didn’t get my feelings hurt because I’m sure his schweaty balls are no carnival either.

We got home and I filled my pie hole with an English muffin stuffed with bacon, scrambled eggs and cheese.

Now, it’s time to clean. We have a big July 4th party every year because we have a great view of the fireworks show from the golf course behind our house. However, this year Longmont (and many other Colorado cities) have banned fireworks due to all of the fires and the dry conditions.  Wonder what we’ll do now? I’m hoping to kick everyone out by 8:30 so I can get to bed on time.

Did you get in a run today?

How are you celebrating tonight?

SUAR

43 comments:

  1. So jealous of the views! I'm dying to get out to Colorado just to run for a week. What could be more fun then those trails? I figure you could run a different one every day for weeks and never rerun them! So bummed about a lot of them being closed due to fire though :(

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  2. I ran. Not far, just 6km at 5:30am with my dogs. The forecast is for 35C here today. It's not a holiday here though, I'm in Canada.

    I love seeing all the photos of the trails you run on. Makes me want to live there!

    Happy 4th of July!

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  3. Running is the BEST way to celebrate our nation's independence!

    PS - Don't all runners stink? Isn't that a sign of hard work and perspiration... um... I mean perseverance! (This time of year my running clothes are not allowed upstairs. When I come home after a run, the clothes go immediately into the laundry room so they don't stink up the bedroom.)

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  4. Gorgeous run! Someday our paths will cross at some event I'm sure! Today I did the Superior Mile and then the 4 on the 4th. After the free beers, I plan to do nothing the rest of the day!

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  6. I biked up to Jamestown this morning (50 mi round-trip) and was surprised by the cutest pancake breakfast and live music! The girls that were singing and playing the guitar reminded me of Phoebe from Friends, so much so I had to bite my tongue to keep from yelling out a request for "Smelly Cat". It was a great way to start the holiday!!!

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    1. Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat! What are they feeding you?! Ha, ha!

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  7. I ran on the treadmill (and accidentally typed "rant", so, yeah, that, too). My husband says I smell when I go OUT for a run...but when I run in the basement (on the 'mill) notsomuch. I don't get it. I think I stink no matter what.

    If I had THAT view there would be more early-morning runs for me. Instead, I live in a college town and am regularly hurdling over used condoms. Of course, that's better than the day my oldest picked one out of the snow bank at the end of our cul-de-sac...No lie.

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  8. I ran 5 miles this morning with my black lab, Molly, along the Spokane River. Great morning to be out! As for the "B.O." - That's the smell of fitness!! =)

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  9. Beautiful run you had! I ran 2.5 miles this morning (kicked my butt out of bed). Tonight we're having a bunch of people over...should be a good time.

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  10. My bf and I did a short trail run this morning (3.7 miles) and it was the best. Celebrating tonight with some friends. Happy 4th!

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  11. what a beautiful place to run!!
    diggin that photo of Ken.

    I may actually run outside if I lived there.

    Have a blast tonight! love 4th of July parties!!
    I ran at the butt crack of dawn....loved it. Ran my 2000th mile.
    kinda. made. my. day.

    YTB lady!

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  12. Impressive run!! Beautiful spot as well. I ran 9 outside this morning and did another 4 on the treadmill late this afternoon. No big plans...we're lame homebodies, lol. Enjoy ur 4th!

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  13. Are you having this nasty smoke in the air near you from some fire in Wyoming? I was riding my bike today and the air was horribly nasty today after we were done. Bleh!

    I want to come run that trail with you....I'm sure you'll call me a pussy because I walk a lot going uphill. It's okay, you won't hurt my feelings, and I'm sure I'll smell horrible.

    8:30 bedtime sounds heavenly!

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    1. Yes, so damn hazy around here, just does not look like CO anymore. Come on up anytime, would love to take you to that spot to run.

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  14. I ran a 10k that was miserably hot but we did it in a tutu from your no sew pattern! Loved it thx!! Wish I could upload a picture for you. It was red white and blue of course!

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  15. Definitely a postcard workout!! We just got back from a run and getting ready to do a little cookout! :) Happy 4th!

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  16. Great run! Running in this rocky place is not easy to do so but you did it.. really impressive, hats off! stay on track with your fitness and health!

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  17. Peachtree 10K here - soggy, humid, and I'm sure the majority of us in ATL were FAR stinkier than you ;)

    Seriously, I can't get the stink out of some of my clothes anymore.

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  18. Wow gorgeous trail! That's my favourite way to start the day. As for the runner stink...for me it mostly came down to synthetic gear. I switched to Icebreaker merino running tops and no more stink :). I know, sounds weird, right, running in wool? You'd think it'd be brutally hot but actually, totally cool and comfy (well, as much as possible on a hot day). Happy 4th. I'm in New Zealand so no holiday here...

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  19. Did my first 5k this morning ... the Firecracker Run ... with other residents of our little community. Pretty cool ...

    (do they still make/sell WIN?)

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    1. Ran a firecracker race too! Reston Va. Weather on east coast is way too hot these days and just had 3 days without power from storm. Maybe we can have races on the mill instead....

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  20. I ran the Foot Traffic Marathon in Portland this morning and qualified for Boston! Spending my 4th of July evening in an airport waiting for a connecting flight home.

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  21. Looks like a pretty beautiful place to run!

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  22. I ran on the beach July 4th morning! Absolutely beautiful but I did have to dodge all the folks setting up chairs, tents and umbrellas at the crack of dawn!!! Crazy me I texted my husband and said " get up or we won't have a spot!" of course he ignored me and kept on snoozing! Haha!

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  23. Looks like a beautiful place to run. That photo of Ken as the ghost is just freaky...

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  24. I slept in and then ran... and had bacon immediately after - what is more American than a heaping side of bacon? Looks like a great way to start your 4th - our country is seriously beautiful in whatever state you are!

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  25. I think I will take a screen shot of the elevation and carry it with me when I am running "hills" here in NJ!

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  26. A run is the PERFECT way to celebrate Independence Day. We have a traditional 17 miler we sweat through, then sit in a creek and party at the finish. It's great!

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  27. I managed a PR in Hell yesterday. I mean, the Midwest, with a heat index in the 90s and 85% humidity. Hell is probably a mislabel because Hell most likely is a dry heat. At any rate, when I finished, I laid down in the PT tent and asked them for a body bag filled with ice.

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  28. I celebrated the 4th by running my first ever 5K race (I'm 41) and didn't die! I started running in March and am training for the Disney Wine & Dine half in November. It was crazy hot & humid here in the 'burbs of Chicago yesterday (esp. with a race start of 9am!) but I had one of my better pace times so it was a great start to the day!

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  29. i'ts like we are neighbours. Your Colorado Rocky views as so SO similar to my Alberta Rocky views. lovely!!!

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  30. I think it is confirmed. I want a house near you for the half the year and a house near Mandy in Maine for half the year and then my house in Texas for the other half of the year.

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  31. I did run and right when our parade in town started, so I got to wave to the floats. Made me feel special LOL I'm still a road gal, I'm a bit paranoid to run on the trails. I do carry mace but still am aprehensive.

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  32. I just snorted out my coffee. I should know better than to drink it while reading your articles. YOU MAKE ME LAUGH! I don't run much, I ride. But I just got back from a sunrise ride over Sonora Pass (California) and early mornings are the best. Your views are amazing, and your writing is hilarious!

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  34. gorgeous pictures!! Lucky girl you are :)

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  35. Great pics!
    LOL @ "I’m sure his schweaty balls are no carnival either."
    I'll have to find some way to work that into a conversation tomorrow at work.

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  36. Beautiful!! I would give anything to be out of the Midwest right now. Current temp 102!!! Heat Index 112!!! Seriously!

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  37. Wow! These pictures look like they came straight out of Trail Runner magazine! Gorgeous!

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  38. One of only a few days long holiday. It is time to help you rest, relax, go out and gather friends and relatives. But because the daily habits are changing, constantly have to travel by train, less sleep cause you more susceptible to illness and fatigue after the holiday. www.facebookbaixargratis.com.br

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