Solo Sunday and the Week's Tally

I debated where to run today.   I knew I wanted some elevation and a couple hours, so I considered Mt. Falcon.  In the end I opted to stay close to home and meet up with my nemesis, Walker Ranch.  I'm not certain what it is about WR that makes my head hurt when I think about it.  Maybe it's that no matter which direction I choose to run it I always feel like I'm going uphill.  It doesn't help that every time I've run it the weather has been cold and windy and often accompanied with type sort of precipitation.

Today is nice, upper 60s and sunny, so I figured I'd give another shot to see if WR and I could come to some sort of agreement.

I started out from Eldorado Springs and made my way over to the loop.  Here's where I started the loop:

[caption id="attachment_117" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="As you can see, I'm extremely coordinated."][/caption]

One thing I realized today is that I don't like compression shorts anymore.  When I felt I was quite alone I tore them off and stuffed them in my race vest.  Now I'm certain to get the chafing of a lifetime on my next longer run but that's what callouses are for.

I seemed to be the only runner on Walker but I did pass at least 15 mtn bikers, all of whom were polite and gracious.  I was envious because WR is a course I'd love to zip around on a mtn bike.  Maybe sometime.  In this photo (you'll have to click on it to get a big version) you can see the trail that I had already run and it's dotted with mtn bikers.

[caption id="attachment_118" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The direction I ran it was running away from your perspective then turns at the clump of trees and heads to the right of the photo."][/caption]

The only mishap was when I slipped off a rock I was going to use to help me get across a stream (a cold stream).  I landed on my hip then my elbow, thus jamming my shoulder into my ear and ended up sitting in the stream.  Who knew a wet rock would be slippery?

[caption id="attachment_132" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=""rinsing" off my shoes."][/caption]

I made my way back over/down to Eldorado Springs and did some extra mileage on the road to even the total run up to 20 miles and over 4,000 ft ascent in 3 hrs 20 mins (greased lightning 10 min/mi pace).

So, this week looks pretty solid again:

4/12 - 4/18:

90 miles in a bit over 13 hours in 5 runs

Mon:  12 mi with a trip up Mt. Sanitas

Tues:  Off

Wed:  15 mi flat on S. Boulder Creek trail

Thurs:  26 mi with Tim W. all over the damn place

Fri:  Off

Sat:  17 mi rolling trails with short tempo

Sun:  20 mi Eldo & Walker Ranch (my new friend...sort of)