Tell it on the mountain

Shannan and I recently had dinner with Katherine, longtime friend, in Boulder, CO. She grew up in Atlanta, attended college at UC and stayed (not a unique phenomenon).  Katherine is a very active young woman. She hikes, skis and is a runner. Over the years we’ve shared many conversations about races and training. Katherine knew while I was in Boulder I planned to run “Mags” (see previous post). We talked about that over dinner as well as her run in the Hood to Coast race.

We had considered visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater, but had not cemented into our itinerary. Katherine adamantly insisted we go to Red Rocks. She gave us details about the venue, concerts that have been there and the museum in the lower plaza. On her enthusiastic advice we adjusted our schedule and added a trip to Red Rocks.

That evening Shannan gathered information and thought it odd that the amphitheater opened at 5:00am. When we arrived around 8:00am the parking lot was a buzz. People in exercise clothes and with water bottles milled about. We decided given the high involvement of outdoor activities in Boulder, perhaps the people were out for an early morning hike amid the rust colored rocks. To our surprise, 100 plus people were in the amphitheater running, doing cardio exercises, abdominal routines and more. Katherine could have mentioned that part.

She didn’t , so I am. If you are in Boulder, plan a trip to visit Red Rocks and include time to get in a high altitude work out.

Live. Learn. Run at Red Rocks.

Tom

Running Mags with the Buffaloes

Greetings! Some years ago my friend Lee loaned me his copy of Running with the Buffaloes, a book about the University of Colorado’s Men’s Cross Country Team. Magnolia Road “Mags” provides the brutal training ground for the team. Running on a mountain is one thing. Doing so at an evaluation of 8000 feet is an altogether different animal. Reading about the training runs on this road seemed awful. Last week we were in Boulder, CO and I decided to take my morning run on Mags. Turns out I was correct, running Mags was on the verge of inhumane.

The drive up the road to reach the unpaved portion that marked the 16 miles where the Buffalo trained was harrowing. It did build the anticipation. Once out and running the first half a mile was downhill. Here the views of the Rocky Mountains and a local ranch were so stunning I forgot about thin air. That changed as soon as I started the accent. Every part of me labored by the time I was 30 minutes into the run. The temperature was 52 degrees, it was good not to overheat in July, but the cold air proved annoying as I took in deep breaths.

I enjoyed coming to this place that had sparked my imagination from far away. I relished the pounding out one of the hardest runs of my life. I delighted in the view of one of North America’s most spectacular landscapes. This morning was not one of the best runs of the year. This morning epitomized why I run.

Thanks for the book, Lee.

Read and Run!

Tom

Presidential Running

Romulus, MI, a suburb of Detroit, was the location of a very early run recently. I found my way on to a small road that split farmland and let it rip for about 4.5 miles. I enjoyed the run very much in that I have been exercising indoors for a month or so. Once I got back to the hotel, Shannan was ready for a day of exploring. I cleaned up and we lit out for Freemont, OH to visit the Rutherford B. Hayes Home and Presidential Museum. Our tour guide, Eileen, made it a stop well worth our time. We discovered as soon as we arrived the property welcomed runners and walkers. 

 

Many people took advantage of the beautifully landscaped area to exercise. Had I know in advance, I might have delayed my morning run or at least used time more wisely to afford a short jaunt around the green. I missed the opportunity, but if you are ever going to visit this wonderful historic site, save some time for a jog. All indications are it will be a pleasant one. If not here, then enjoy the fantastic park at the William McKinley President Museum and Monument. 

Tom