CO Trail

I couldn't decide where to run come Sunday afternoon. I was lacking some motivation, and didn't want to drive too far. The problem is that I am sick of running away from park rangers when Guinness is off-leash (which is the entire run). I already have recieved one ticket for such an offense, and I have some very serious opinions about this law. I understand the problem if everyone's ill-behaved dogs were running around the town off-leash, but Guinness is a great dog, he has very good obedience, and I mainly run out in the middle of nowhere. Not a problem. Anyway, that is the main factor in having a hard time deciding where to run.

I decided, the heck with it, I am heading out to the South Platte and get some miles in on section 2 of the CO Trail. I love this trail, and I would love to run it from Denver to Durango (maybe someday). I did not know how much snow and ice would be on the trail, so I brought my Yak-Trax and snowshoes up with me. I put the Yak-Trax on because the bottom of the trail was looking pretty icy. It was nice to have them on for the first mile of climbing, but most of the remainder of the run was dirt!!! Pretty surprising for a mid-January run at that altitude. As I got started I realized I had no way of telling how long I was running. I ran back to the truck and looked at the clock, just for a reference. Then, off Guinness and I went. The river looked great, and it was tempting just to stay and fish. Very beautiful with a good flow for this time of year. But, I came for a run, and that is what I was going to do. Up the switchbacks I went with Guinness running ahead and exploring. He is great to run with since it is so easy to get lost in "his world". He is in heaven running out in the forest! As we crested the first climb, there is a monument looking rock that overlooks the Hayman fire burn area. Most of the run goes through the burn area, and I found it, strangely enough, beautiful. There was very little vegetation, with the remains of burnt trees and large rock outcroppings for most the run. It is rare to be in an area that is so desolate, but I have an appreciation for the budding plants and the regrowth that will eventually take over the landscape and develop into a lush forest once again. I ran out, not wanting to turn back, but 4-5 miles in, I decided to call it a good day, and turn around. It is still early in my training and I have been taking it easy building up the miles so as not to get injured. It was a short run, but one I needed. I have been spending so much time running at lunch downtown, and not having much appreciation for my running or the places I am treading. It was very refreshing to get back out into nature and experience the sights and sounds of the wild. I will make this one of my key runs as I train this year for the longer races. I can get as many miles as I want on the CO trail, and there are lots every 10-15 miles where I can drop supplies if needed. It is a graet place to train, and a rare trail that Guinness and I can enjoy together, ticket free!

Finch.