Trail Thursday- Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l Park

Happy Friday eve Friends! It has been so crazy cold and snowy here these past two weeks I almost feel like it's December (when in reality we had a pretty mild December *eye roll*). I've been stuck on the treadmill the past three days because it's been either icy or below 0*, but tomorrow it's going to be around ~10* (supposedly) and I am putting on all the layers and running my 6 miles outside. I really just need to get some fresh air! Speaking of fresh air, I am sharing some photos from our trip a few years ago to the North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

We ended up going here over Memorial Day weekend and scoring one of the few available campsites at the North Rim Campground and it was so beautiful there! Inspiration point was a short walk away and we did this trail so many times. It was around an 8 hour drive from Steamboat (so pretty long) and we arrived at the campground around 8 or 9pm and snagged the LAST campsite available! Because the campground is pretty small and no reservations available online, we were taking a gamble driving down there so late. I highly recommend visiting this park if you haven't yet! Getting to the south rim (the more popular) from the north rim is a several hour drive (which we didn't do). The campground had no cell service and that was also another added bonus- totally remote for a few days!

What's been your favorite National Park to visit?

How's the weather been where you are?

Travel Thursday-Dinosaur National Monument

Happy Friday eve! Finally! I'm not sure about anyone else, but this week has been so busy for me. I've got 4.5 miles on the docket and may try to do a small amount of pick-ups since I've been feeling so good (and wanting some speed back in my life). I never thought that the time would come where I would actually MISS my tempo runs. ha. 

Dinosaur National Monument is located in Northwestern Colorado & Northeast Utah. We love to go here to camp every Spring & Fall, but sometimes if you wait too long in the Spring season the bugs can get really bad. We've camped each time at Echo Campground, which is located at the end of 4 x 4 road and includes some petroglyphs too!

Normally the campground is always extremely quiet and you are right next to the Colorado River, which really is perfect. There are not many hiking trails and no cell service, so be prepared. I've always loved to go there for some R & R and to disconnect. I've never run out at the campground, however I think the road that you drive to get out there would be a great run.

There are also other campgrounds on the Utah-side of the Monument (but make sure to reserve those ahead of time) and an expo, so you can go check-out some dinosaur bones that they uncovered there (which is really neat)! I know that they do close-down the Colorado entrance to the park (where you can access Echo) from November-March (or early April), but the exhibit (on the Utah side) is open year-round. 

Ever been to Dinosaur National Monument? Favorite spot?

Favorite camping spot at the Monument?

Colorado River- are you as fascinated by it as I am?!

Travel Thursday- Pike's Peak

Happy Friday-eve! This week has both flown by and also slightly gone slow....Our kittens are still waking JUST ME (not Alex...I think his snoring scares them away) up at 2am and proceed to try to bite my face. Really hoping they'll get over this stage quickly because it's not so great when they try to pierce your nose with their teeth (but also they need to stay this cute & cuddly AS LONG AS POSSIBLE). 

Anyone ever been to Pike's Peak before? It's a 14,000' mountain and located in Colorado Springs. It's a great travel destination for those that are visiting because the views at the top (which you can drive to) are incredible. I took my Dad there a few years ago and we drove to the top (via Pike's Peak Highway) and walked around the gift shop for a bit. It was late June and there was STILL SNOW at the top (still people skiing off cliffs as well...). You can also take the Pike's Peak Cog Railway (located in Broadmoor), which I think would be really interesting. You can also hike up it, but it's a 13.5 strenuous hike to the summit.

Not wanting to hike it, but still looking for a challenge? You can also RUN up it during the Pike's Peak Marathon (or half-marathon). I've considered signing up for this race before (they have amazing swag), but it definitely would be a challenging course. The marathon consists of running UP 13 miles to the top and then running DOWN 13 miles...yikes!

After driving up the mountain, I'm not sure if I could ever see myself running up it. I'd have to be in REALLY good shape! There are so many beautiful views along the way, that it would make the ascent less terrible....

Ever been to Pike's Peak? Favorite part?

Would you ever run up a 14,000' mountain as a half-marathon or marathon?

Weekend Recap & Training Log for Off-Season

Happy HUMPDAY! Does anyone else feel like once November hits, the weeks go by so fast (especially the weekends)?! I wanted to share with you a few photos from our weekend and my training log for the last week. 

We've been drinking a lot of hot cocoa lately after dinner. I typically prefer mine to be 1/2 cocoa, 1/2 whipped cream. What ratio do you prefer?

We got our Christmas Tree on Saturday and it is definitely a Charlie Brown tree. Also the kittens learned a fun new trick- they love to climb the tree and knock down all the ornaments (*eye roll*). So, after spending Sunday decorating the tree, it now only has the star and one set of lights on it (no ornaments). Not really sure if we'll decorate it again. I'm just waiting until we come home one day and the tree is completely tipped over...It's a good thing they're so cute.

Kitten snuggles. When they aren't driving us both absolutely crazy, they are so cute & cuddly. We're in love. 

Training Log (11/28- 12/2):

Sunday: 10 mile trail run around the lake. Longest run since my marathon! 

Monday: 30 minutes of Upper/Lower Body Strength Training & 4 miles easy

Tuesday: 2.5 miles after work with Stella

Wednesday: 30 minutes of Upper/Lower Body Strength Training & 5 miles on the treadmill

Thursday: 3.5 miles after work with Stella

Friday: 4 miles with 1 mile warm-up; 1 mile up a hill with 350 vertical ascent; 1 mile down the hill; 1 mile cool-down

Saturday: 1 mile easy in between ski clinics

30 miles total!

It's always really weird to not be "actively training" for something, when it's basically all I've been doing since July. BUT it is also really nice to just take a breather and run whatever speed I want and sleep in when I want too. I'm taking these next few weeks and relishing in the extra time that I have. 

What do you love to do in your off-season?

Hot Cocoa- yay or nay?

Trail running vs road running? Which is your favorite? I've always been a fan of road running, but also am loving the challenge of trail running!

Friday Feature- Why Running Las Vegas Will Be Extra Special & 5 Things I'm Doing This Weekend

I recently came across this article posted on Women's Running Magazine and it really got me thinking how the events that occurred on October 1st has made running on the strip even more special. While the starting location was set to begin at the same site that the incident occurred, it has since moved (but not yet announced where the new location will be). I am (of course) excited to still have the opportunity to run, but now I actually have more drive to run for those that lost their lives or were seriously injured that fateful night at the country music festival.

I will channel any pain that I have back onto the strip and push through because I CAN. I'm grateful to have this opportunity to run and not back down when it comes to gun violence. I will stand with other runners on that starting line and utilize that as a platform to stand-up against the atrocity that occurred October 1st.

Every day someone could find a reason to be scared, but I will not let those who chose violence over love and compassion get me down.  

With Alex away (guy's weekend at the casino), Stella and I are on our own, so it's a perfect time to catch-up on all those Fall things that I've yet to do (or well...more like chores that still need to get done):

1. Jewelry making for my MS Run The US fundraiser! I can't wait to share with you my finished products and sell them at the Artisan Fair here at the beginning of December!
2. Collecting items to do an online garage sale, also for a MS Run The US fundraiser. There's definitely quite a few items that already come to mind that I've been dying to get rid of...
3. Napping. A LOT of napping will be going down. We also just got our Casper mattress (it.is.HEAVENLY), so any excuse to lay down I'm taking right now ; )
4. Cooking up some goodies. I'm thinking I may make these Cheddar, Bacon, and Green Onion cornbread and some chili (we also just made chili last week), but it's my favorite meal come Fall!
5. Going out for a hike. Not sure where yet (or how the weather will be), but I need my fix of trails this weekend!

Any fun plans this weekend? 

Any good recipes that I should make or fundraising ideas? I need more!