Running
Below is a photo from the Willow Creek Trail to Kit Carson Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range. It was one of my most challenging runs to date (post one, post two), merely because I could have run into big trouble had I made the wrong decision in a couple of places. Nonetheless, it was one of the best outings I've ever had. Hell, yeah.
Totals since I've been keeping track:
1,279 miles is a record for me, even in this year of misfortune. To the average Joe, this may be great. To a competitive runner or ultra freak, it is nothing. To me, this means I am slowly pushing the envelope. I am an obstinately non-goal-oriented runner, but I still like to feel that I'm doing better things.
More obsessive run data details:
- Count: 127
- Distance: 1,279 miles
- Elevation Gain: 205,446 feet
- Avg. Elevation Gain: 1,618 feet
- Avg. Pace: 13:57
- Avg. Dist: 10.08 miles
I had to push to keep that 10-mile average at the end of the year, with illness and injury, which predisposed me to short outings during recovery. Thank goodness for the long runs of summer.
Zero races in 2012.
Bike Rides
One of my better rides ever, at Horsethief Bench near Fruita:
Rides (a mix of paved/dirt, all on MTB)
- Count: 35
- Distance: 477 miles
- Elevation Gain: 38,439 feet
- Avg. Elevation Gain: 1,098 feet
- Avg. Speed: 6.7 mph
- Avg. Dist: 13.64 miles
Not a lot of miles on the bike, but honestly if I have an afternoon, I'd rather spend it on my feet. However, it's growing on me. And I'm getting better.
Walks
- Count: 190
- Distance: 297 miles
- Elevation Gain: 17,981 feet
- Avg. Dist: 1.57 miles
Most of this is on flat trails or paths on the plains at lunch, year-round.
Hikes
- Count: 28
- Distance: 81 miles
- Elevation Gain: 17,245 feet
- Avg. Dist: 2.92 miles
I categorize a hike as something on land that is not flat. Almost all my hikes are on the weekend in the hills or mountains, on "off" days. Semantics.
Not all of the year was epic even when I was well. As usual, I try to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, like a morning run in the neighborhood.
As for 2013, I just want to avoid injury and illness. I've been on this rock for 51 years, so the odds of that lessen each year.
But that's why I try to live every week like it's my last. You never know.
