I Love Beaver (Creek)

It got cold here on Friday, like really cold. Actually, Thursday evening we dropped from 80° to 30° in about 2 seconds. Colorado has issues.

Saturday morning came with snow and 28 degrees and pretty much all I wanted to do was lay on my heated couch (Now wouldn’t that be great? Why don’t those exist??), watch a reality TV marathon and eat Dots. But, I had committed to present at a Girls on the Run Conference in Beaver Creek, Colorado (about 2 ½ hours away) and I wasn’t going to miss it. Plus, I just really wanted to drive my new car (which by the way rocks on mountain roads).

The drive up was messy and gross. I used good driving safety and took pictures while I drove on icy roads. (To my son who is learning to drive: do as I say not as I do).

Once I got closer to the Continental Divide, the weather totally changed. The Denver area was socked in with crap weather all day Saturday, but those of us in the mountains were loving life.

I got to the hotel where I was staying and where the conference was being held.  I was really hoping for a Motel 6, but it looked like this instead.

I gasped for JOY when I got to my room. Check out this view. That little patch of green is actually a driving range. How cool is that? And, I don’t even like golf.

I had two beds to myself and I couldn't decide which to sleep in, so I set my alarm for 2:00 am. and switched beds in the middle of the night.

I don’t know about you, but I never stay in hotels alone. But, in the past week I have been alone in hotel rooms twice: once in Frederick, Maryland and once in Beaver Creek, Colorado. It’s kind of weird and kind of liberating all at the same time. Free time to nose pick, fart, do the moon walk– whatever (not that I do those things).

I got to the hotel just in time for an amazing brunch put on by Girls on the Run and the keynote address. We went to our first break out session – I chose one on easy meals to freeze. We made wraps with all kinds of ingredients to choose from. Score! Did you know you can freeze fresh spinach? That’s what I was told, but I’m not sure I believe it. I put it in some of my wraps and I’ll let you know how that goes.

Next I led a break out session on training for your first full or half marathon. Not sure if anyone liked it, but I had fun.

Later, my friend, Julie, who live nearby came to meet me for coffee. We are both very tan. The valet man needs to learn how to take pictures.

Coffee turned into wine at a local bar and that worked for me. Afternoons are for wine, not coffee. Right? We could walk to the little village from our hotel.  And, yes it was cold enough to wear down coat.

I slept like a baby (except for that 2:00 a.m. wake up call to switch beds- that was a joke, btw), and went out to run a few miles on the local trails near the hotel. I then met up with a few others and we took another trail run that kind of blew my socks off because it had all of my favorite elements: climbing, outstanding views, Aspen leaves. The trail system isn’t confusing at all:

Later, we had a wonderful brunch and a little expo where I sold some shirts. 

Here’s what I think, if you care: Sometimes you get around women and it is cliquish and annoying because this is how women can be sometimes.  Not the case here: hands down, this was one of the nicest groups of women I have been around in a long time.  I was kind of worried because I didn’t know anyone, but I met some amazing people, and everyone was so warm and open. Plus, they all drank beer and I liked that.

So, thanks Girls on the Run of Western Colorado for hosting me and letting me be a part of this amazing weekend! I hope I wasn’t too boring and that no one smelled that thing I did in the elevator.

If you could order up a run with all of your favorite elements what would it be? Road or trail? Hot or cold? Rolling or climbing or flat? Morning or afternoon or night? 5 miles or 10 miles or more? I’ll take Trail – Cold - Climbing – Morning – 10 miles.

SUAR