Trail or Rolling Hill Run, zone 1-2, 2:00

• Distance 11.20 mi
• Moving Time 2:04:12
• Pace 11:05 /mi
• Elevation 2,034 ft.
• Calories 1,390
• Temperature 39 ℉
• Humidity 43%
• Feels like 37 ℉

I know why they call it Boulder!

For breakfast, I had some instant oatmeal and a wheat English muffin with almond butter and grape preserves. The drive from Denver to the trailhead was about 35 minutes in light traffic.

After I parked, I mapped out a quick couple loops roughly 5 mi each with about 800 ft. of climb. I wanted to do a single loop that was 11 miles, but I  forgot my waist water bottle. Luckily, I had plenty of fluids in two larger bottles.

About a quarter mile on the trail, I stashed my shirt and a large water bottle in the bushes where the loop intersected. I also had two gels and some chews in my waistband. I wasn’t overly concerned about forgetting the bottle, I just wanted to have a plan to access it.

From start to finish, the terrain was moderately technical, and some areas difficult. Many rocks, sharp edges, ice, sludge, mud, and gravel. My focus was particularly 1 to 2 ft in front of me in many technical areas.

The first climb was fun, but I power walked a few times near the steep peak when I noticed my walking pace was probably faster. This also kept my HR in check.

After peeking on all laps, I used a continued slow pace for about a minute to catch my breath and realign. Moments later, I was feeling good and highly motivated.

Every downhill today my body felt particularly strong. I was well intuned while shuffling through very technical rocks with ease. It was peaceful, like a pleasant dance. Shuffle, shuffle, skip, tap tap tap, shuffle, skip, slide, leap, shuffle, slide slide. It was quite exhilarating! I’m starting feel like somewhat of an athlete.

My feet felt good and I had some better socks this time. I had some pain in my left arch during the last 30 minutes and I’ve got a few hotspots on the tips of my tootsies. Nothing major, overall feeling good. I’m going to try on some Altras this weekend.

The technical trail and ascending 2000 ft didn’t come without consequence though. I didn’t feel weak when I finished, but definitely felt the muscles ache differently afterwards.

One of best things about this trip, was lunch! I stopped at the new Skratch Labs Cafe on Pearl Street. I got the rice bowl with kimchi, kale, carrots, sweet potato, cucumbers, hummus, avocado, fried chicken, and an egg! It was to die for!

I was listening to music today, but I wasn’t really hearing it. My focus was enjoyed narrowing on the path. Bring Me the Horizon; That’s the Spirit, was how I started the morning. Switched over to From Ashes to New, panic album afterwards. Closed it out with an Alison Wonderland trap podcast.

Is the only way to get better at hills to do more of them? Are there exercises or movements that I can do at home that might give me an edge during a climb? Regardless, I’m having a blast with these trail runs!