I didn’t do an awful lot of running last week, but when I did, the views were amazing.
Tuesday I met up with Nina Machina for a New Year’s Day run at Bluffs Regional Park. It wasn’t my finest run most likely due to the number of drinks the night before ringing in the new year, the remnants of a nasty little cold, and a big ol’ brunch I had eaten earlier that morning. We were hoping for 8-10 miles, but I just couldn’t do it. 6 miles in 56 minutes.
And my next run wasn’t until Saturday. And what a run it was! Nina and I wanted to do something different so we drove 20 minutes to Roxborough State Park to do one of Nina’s bucket list trails Carpenter Peak. It was a gorgeous day with snow packed on the trail. We decided against the Yak Trax and it was fine if you just took it easy on the sharp turns.
Roxborough State Park: the view from the parking lot
It’s a tough climb. It does nothing for the ego when your GPS yells out at you “Average Pace 12 minutes 45 seconds”, but we were working hard out there and that 12:45 pace was all we could handle climbing 1,400 feet.
3 miles in and we were still climbing.
See that mountain on the left? That’s where we are running to.
We got to the top and enjoyed the beautiful views and goofed around for a few minutes before running back down.
Me and Nina at the top. A really nice hiker took this picture for us. People are so nice.
Nina’s plotting her photo opt.
arm balance at 7,160 feet
There was no way I could even think of doing an arm balance on my rock. It was all I could do to stand on one foot.
Tree Pose on Carpenter Peak
Sorry, Mom if that just gave you a heart attack.
The run down was lots of fun and we made up a lot of time. We had to run a little further apart because if Nina had to slow down due to slick spots, I didn’t need to barrel into her.
Ready for my Runner’s World cover shot
Natural Born Trail Runner, that Nina Machina
Can I just tell you how happy I was at this point to be on something flat.
That’s me jumping for joy at the sight of a flat trail
We added on another trail at the bottom to get some more mileage, but I was spent and had to walk up a section of the hill, Ugh. Not a Happy Camper. Just ask Nina -there was cursing involved. But all in all it was a fabulous day! 9 miles in 1:43 (11:26 pace).
This week has already started off to be a good one with a great Monday evening run. Tonight: Yoga Sculpt + Easy Run. I’m piecing together a race calendar, any suggestions?
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That looks amazing and you both DESERVE a cover shot! Nina’ rockin’ the arm balance? Amazing. Love your one foot pose too and the shot of you running down the snow covered hill. Good stuff!!
I know. She’s amazing! It was a fun morning.
That trail looks intense…and I imagine you are running at significant elevation…probably not a big deal to your adjusted lungs but us flat landers grasp for air at the thought of these trails. You should run NYC! I am trying to get everyone I know to run it next year.
Yep, I live at 5,400 ft so the air is a little thinner. That’s why when I go run at sea level it feels awesome!
Yeah, definite advantage in racing…envious! I use to live at 8,000 ft, I definitely miss it!
I love Roxborough and your pictures capture it perfectly! Wish I lived closer so I could join you ladies!
Thanks Terzah!! And I’m trying to make it to your run on the 21st. I will keep you posted.
Those are amazing pictures! Climbs like that are when a heart rate monitor comes in handy to see how hard you’re really working- that pace doesn’t mean much… looks intense!
Looking good Lady!
wow, GORGEOUS!!!