My First 14er

For my birthday, I was gifted a lovely weekend in Crested Butte, CO. We biked, hiked, ate (boy 
howdy, did I eat), and just enjoyed the mountain air. We fed apples to the mules next to our cabin; like all horsey creatures, they instinctively knew that a rattling plastic bag signals TREATS OMG TREATS and came running to meet us at the fenceline. What can I say, I know how to build influence and win friendships (mules count!). We even spent an evening in the Mt. Princeton hot springs, under a thick blank of stars. What a glorious way to relax. I haven't seen the Milky Way since I was a child...it was magical.
But the big accomplishment for the weekend was ascending Mt. Huron. My first 14er! At 14,003 feet, it's not the biggest 14er. But hey, it's not the smallest; Sunshine Peak claims that honor at 14,001 feet. However, it was still very, very challenging. Although the trail is only about 7 miles roundtrip, you ascend over 3,500 feet. Plus, I still wasn't 100% after that crippling downhill half marathon from the weekend before, so it was doubly hard for me. But I just chipped away at Mt. Huron as best I could. As we got into the final 1,000 feet, the trail grew very steep and slick with rock scree. I had to set little goals for myself just to break it up into manageable segments ("I'm going to make it up three more switchbacks and then I can rest. Three friggin' switchbacks, Bucko."). Mr. Bike Shorts, the weekend planner and sponsor, was an enormous source of encouragement. We did it! What a view! Definitely well worth all the trouble. But man, I really enjoyed that beer when we got back to the car.

Lo and behold, 2 days later I was enormously, fantastically, unbelievably sore. I was walking backwards down ramps all over again. I was painfully shuffling around for a week. So between the previous Half Marathon From Hell and my new Week-Long14er Crip Walk, it has become obvious that I really need to strength train. I mean, duh. But my instinct (and my Fitbit) tell me to put on my Mizunos and run. Run, run, run. So I've gotten really good at running and really bad at being strong. It's time to adjust my training regimen to get some weights back in my life.

Georgetown to Idaho Springs

In retrospect, maybe I should have trained a little for the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon. I figured, so what if I start at 8500 feet? So what if I'm running downhill for 13.1 miles to a final elevation of 7500 feet? So what if some of the course is on trails and gravel roads? I've run a half marathon before without really training. I'll be fiiiiine.
Well, not so much. My quads were absolutely blasted. The day after the race, I needed an assist to even get up from the couch. I had to walk backwards down the parking lot ramp. And stairs? Out of the question.
Despite that, I'm happy with my performance. Although I didn't best my Savannah Half Marathon time (I missed it by 18 seconds), I had a really consistent pace and my heart rate data looks way better than I would have expected for a high altitude run. Clearly I just need to work on my leg strength before tackling my full marathon.
Time to hit the gym!
Below are my official results, and HERE is my GPS watch data if you're curious.

Twenty-six Point Two

So here I am. I've lived in Colorado for 9 months. I could have had a baby by now, people. That seems like a landmark, doesn't it? An oddly significant measure of time. "I moved to Colorado one potential baby ago", she says.
To be clear, there is no baby (this is how rumors get started). But I do feel that my life has completely changed in these last 9 months, and certainly for the better. My time in Colorado has been pregnant with joy and adventure. I was expecting so much from this move, and it truly delivered. He he, see what I did there? OK, no more of that. Everybody's going to think I have babies on the brain.
In reality, my brain has been completely preoccupied with everything that Colorado has to offer. I've been wildly busy (which is also why I haven't blogged). Let me share a short list some of my adventures this year:

• Skiing
• Show shoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Hiking
• Cycling
• Running
• Running Races (half marathon and a 5k snow run)
• Festivals
• BBQs and Parties
• Sea Kayaking (technically in Maine)
• Climbing a 14er
• Dates...does that count? I think it counts.

So what next?
Well, it all started when a few of my girlfriends invited me to run with them at the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon. Why, yes! I'd love to! I needed a summer goal, and a half marathon was a perfect target. I've a run a half marathon before (Savannah Rock n' Roll in November of last year), so it also seemed like a great idea to step it up a notch to a more challenging event. Lastly, the event was the day after my birthday, so what better way to celebrate? Is that weird?
Before long, three of us (Sarah, Jessica, and me) got to talking. We figured, hey, if we can do a high altitude half marathon, then surely we can do a low altitude full marathon. Right? RIGHT? And hey, we should do a marathon while we're young. Just once. Just to say we did it. Right? RIGHT?
We were convinced. We should do this. So I did a little research. We wanted a low-altitude, mostly flat, well-established, and well-reviewed  marathon in October or November in a city that was interesting and logistically feasible. No big deal. Eventually we narrowed it down to 5 options:

1. Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon - Oct 5, 2014, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
2. Wineglass Marathon - Oct 5, 2014, Corning, NY
3. Atlanta Marathon - Oct 26, 2014, Atlanta, GA
4. Humboldt Redwoods Marathon - Oct 19, 2014, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, CA
5. Anthem Richmond Marathon - Nov 15, 2014, Richmond, VA

We ruled out Atlanta because, you know, I lived there. And it's a good thing we did. The Atlanta Marathon recently announced that they're changing to a 10-miler.
We ruled out Twin Cities because it was a little early and, you know, cold.
Then we nixed the Wineglass event in Corning, NY because it seemed logistically challenging, although we were sad to abandon the idea of getting a finisher's glass of wine.
And then last but not least, we decided that although running amongst the giant redwoods of California would be insanely cool, the event was too small and just a little too remote.
So that was it. Decision made...

I've read wonderful reviews of this event. It's supposed to be beautiful. It's also tailored toward first-time marathoners, with well-stocked rest stops (pizza and wash cloths!) and exuberant cheering crowds. It's not completely flat, but we wouldn't want to get bored, would we? However, it is at 160 feet above sea level. Plus the race starts downtown, and I was easily able to secure a hotel room near the start. Perfect.

So that's it. My next big adventure! I'm doing a marathon!

I decided to resuscitate my blog to share my experience. It's good motivation for me. I also think my experience will be vaguely interesting. A lot of my training will not be running. I know that excessive running mileage would be hard on me (I have a mild back issue), so I'm counting on the high altitude boost and a lot of cross-training through cycling, trail running, hiking, and gym time. You know what that means: more adventures!

Where has the time gone?

So I haven't posted in almost 2 months. I don't even know how it went by so quickly, but it has been a crazy, busy, wonderful two months. Where to even start?

SKI STUFF
Let's just start with skiing, because that seems to be take up most of my free time. In short, I love it. I go up to the mountains pretty much every weekend. I've been progressing quickly, and am now comfortably skiing some black runs. Moguls and powder are still hard for me, but practice makes perfect! I've taken a lesson, which was a huge help, and happily take any tips I get from more experienced skiers.

The view from the top of North Bowl at Keystone.

Keystone with Nicole

I have now been to Crested Butte, Breckenridge, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Arapahoe Basin. I go to Keystone the most, but I'm particularly proud of skiing A-Basin, just because it's a locals-only spot. Think of it as a Denver Right of Passage, kind of like Clermont Lounge in Atlanta (minus Blondie, of course). A-Basin probably deserves its own post. It's this small, but extraordinary ski resort tucked behind Loveland Pass. The views are amazing, and the runs are fun and challenging. It's also very low key - after a day of skiing, people camp out in the parking lot and crack open cans of domestic beer. It's like the dive bar of ski resorts.

Montezuma Bowl at A-Basin. Unreal.

Next weekend, I'm skiing 3 days at Vail. VAIL. The Reigning Premier Mega Resort. If A-Basin is a wee beastie velociraptor, then Vail is a mondo pregnant brontosaurus. I can't even hope to fully explore it in 3 days, but I can try. I'm also staying at the Vail Marriot Resort, which is going to be plush. Can't complain.

HOME STUFF
I've been settling into my home in Denver. I love my little condo, and continue to have little projects around the house. Case in point: I built shelves in the awkward cubby hole next to my nook. Now I have a place to put my cookbooks!

Before: Awkward

After: Awesome

My next project is an idea I got from Nicole's adorable ski condo. I'm going to take ski resort trail maps, and have them matted and framed. I need some artwork for the walls of my long, narrow nook.

SOCIAL STUFF
My biggest fear in coming to Denver was being lonely. I had really braced myself for a few months of alone time. Between my job (which keeps me out of town 4 days a week) and having no solid social foundation to start from, I thought that making friends would be the hardest part of this. Not so. Not even a little bit. Both Nicole and Katie immediately opened their doors and hearts to me. Katie's group of girlfriends was an instant click. They're all assertive, outgoing, and athletic girls. Most of them play on a camogie team together (I'll let you google that on your own), so they aren't afraid of a hard workout and a good time. I'd felt a little out of place for a long time in Atlanta, so it was utterly refreshing to meet women who don't think my bike addiction is weird.
The Denver social scene is also more my speed. There are brewpubs around every corner, and dress code is casual. I haven't worn heels out even once. Thank God. Who needs 'em.
Basically, I haven't been lonely for a single day, and I actually look forward to going out on the town.

All in all, it's been better than I ever could have hoped. Cross your fingers for me that spring will be equally as rewarding and exciting!

Three Dollar DIY Doo-Dad Jars

I don't have much storage in my bathroom. There is no medicine cabinet, and the space under the sink is limited. I did buy a little three-tier cart to go in the corner, but it's strictly a functional addition. It's not cute. I want some cute! But I'm also on a budget.

Enter Pinterest. I ran across this intriguing little pin, and decided to attempt it myself. They ended up not only cute, but also about $3 each!

Supplies:

- Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint = $0.70 each. Americana brand acrylic paints are
currently 50% off at Michael's for the month of January. I chose the colors Paprika and Turquoise Waters.
- Paint Brush = $0.59
- Curio Knobs = $1.99 each. World Market has lots of colorful, little cabinet knobs. I love these hand-painted ceramic ones.
- Pickle jars or mason jars.
- Heavy wire cutter or bolt cutter, if needed.

How to:
1. Thoroughly clean the jars. In order to get the pickle smell out, I had to soak them overnight and then run them through the dishwasher several times.
2. Poke a hole through the lids. I did so by swiftly hammering a heavy nail through the lid. Make sure the screw of the curio knob can fit through.
3. Paint the lids, top and bottom. I did 2-3 coats. Let thoroughly dry.
4. Attach the curio knobs. If the screws are very long, you can cut off the remainder with heavy wire cutters or bolt cutters.
5. Ta-da!

New Years, New Slopes, Old Friends

Happy New Years, friends!

For New Years, my friend Lauren was kind enough to let me stay with (OK, let's be honest, mooch off) her at Crested Butte. Crested Butte! What a town! She and her family were so welcoming, and we enjoyed two beautiful, sunny days of skiing. Plus I graduated up to the blue slopes, and was quite comfortable on them!

I could not have asked for a more magical mini-vacation. What a great way to start the New Year.

Call Me Ski Bunny

Last weekend, I went skiing for the first time in 14 years. And it was a total blast!

My coworker, Walker (aka "Walter" or "New Shery" when we're feeling abusive), was kind enough to let me tag along with him and his room mate. The boys inadvertently took the back entrance to Keystone over Loveland Pass, which was basically terrifying. Between the icy roads, lack of guardrails, and the moments of whiteout, I was wondering if our 2WD Toyota sedan was going to launch off the edge and into the crisp mountain air. Luckily, we didn't die tragically. But it did solidify my decision to buy some snow tires. And to never use that route again.
But hey, we made it! Added bonus: because the weather was so ominous in Denver and on the drive up, hardly anybody was on the slopes that day. The snow was in great condition, and there were no lift lines. I'd pull over to catch my breath, look up and down the mountain, and a few times I realized I was the only person in sight on the run. Totes gnarly, bruhs.
It was a little cold, which also helped scare away the crowds. Walker told me the index was -15° with the wind chill, and I believe it. My fingers struggled a little, but nothing some new mittens and hardwarmers can't fix. Otherwise, I was cozy in my new ski gear. Plus I looked good, which is pretty important, too.

I was shocked how quickly skiing came back to me after all these years. After one run, I felt balanced and comfortable. I wasn't exactly hitting any land speed records, but I was having fun. So although I won't be shredding the double black diamonds anytime soon, I'll definitely be exploring some blue routes.
The biggest difference (from what I remember after 14 years) was turning ability. I grew up skiing on those long, slim skis. Maybe it was worse because I was a small and light kid, but I distinctly remember having to throw all my weight into every turn and fight for an edge. Not so anymore! The new skis are short, fat, and curvy, and they turn on a dime. Absolutely a blast.
The conditions probably helped a lot, too. I grew up skiing the Pacific Northwest, which is often wet and icy. Keystone conditions were cold and dry, with fresh snow on the mountain. I feel like I upgraded to first class. Where's my complementary beverage?

I'm going to try to go up again this weekend. Gotta get one last ski trip in before the holiday!