Betasso

14 Sunday Jun 2015

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Gadget Girl told me about the Betasso Link Trail off Canyon Drive a few weeks back. Today was my first chance to get up here. The trailhead sits just before and to the right of the tunnel, three miles from the edge of town on the drive toward Nederland. You can drive another mile further to Sugarloaf Road to reach a trailhead at the top if you want to skip this rugged 1.3 mile climb. I wanted the climb. It rises over 600 feet, the steepest part in the first quarter mile. That’s just about the limit of grade I can handle without walking. When Gadget Girl’s husband rides with her, they start at the top but Dave rides this link trail down. She picks him up on the drive home.

The trail is hard and slick, with intermittent boulders. A biker started out before me and I figured I would pass him. I find that I typically pass mountain bikers uphill but this guy was unreal. I did finally catch him once after he dismounted for a particularly steep rise but he passed me back quickly. Really, I was just right behind him the entire climb. And we passed several others. While slower, they were still extremely skilled. This black diamond trail is technical for bikers in both directions. For runners, it’s gorgeous. I thought of Keith’s face after he completed the first loop last weekend in the Snowmass trail race. For anyone who finds running burdensome, try running a mountain trail. Trails like this turn workouts into a rapturous experience.

The top of the climb empties into an open meadow and links to the Canyon Loop Trail – a 3.3 mile loop. A sign instructs bikers to ride counterclockwise. I read this direction alternates monthly. There are no similar guidelines for runners but commonsense implies that running clockwise is optimal so you can see bikers coming. There are also signs (you can see one if you click on the trailhead picture to enlarge it) that state no bikers on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Good to know, although I didn’t find this morning overly crowded. The bikers were all courteous and skilled well enough that we could both usually pass by without surrendering momentum. In fact, the first mile of the Canyon Loop was double track, and much of the remaining loop was still wide enough for passing. On occasion, I even yield for bikers, when it seems fair. Hate to see a biker topple over on these sharp hills.

Running was softer up top on the loop than on the link trail. Dry and not nearly as supple as the soil in Snowmass. Those trails were dreamy. My trail flats gripped those paths near the Maroon Bells like leather gloves on the steering wheel of a muscle car, accelerating through turns. The Canyon Loop contains several similar sections where the trees were thick enough that moisture clung to the dirt to turn its color black. And there were a half dozen streams which were fun to hop across. The loop was never flat, rather rolling and twisty. I took the first mile to recover from the climb but then found my legs and enjoyed some speedier running where the trail allowed.

After a single loop, I returned back down the link trail to my car. I found the descent more technical than the climb. My year old trail shoes slid a few times. Manufacturers tell you to buy new shoes every 500 miles. I tend to log over 2000 before shodding a new pair. Traction is certainly a critical criteria in trail shoes so perhaps it’s time. To survive this descent, I focused on form. The trick to avoiding slippage is to never let your feet touch the ground. Since I can’t actually fly, I begin raising my feet before they fully touch down. Very, very, quick, short steps. Allowing your heel to fully flatten is courting disaster. Running downhill like this is seriously exhausting and difficult to maintain for much more than a mile. The other technique is to walk, but even then it’s wise to avoid putting too much weight into your landing.

I made it down safely. And really, I didn’t rush down overly fast. I played it safe. I can’t believe this was my first time up on this hill. Next time I intend to run two or three loops up top. I’ll be back to Betasso.

Chautauqua

04 Saturday May 2013

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Boulder, Chautauqua, Jabe's Running Group, Mesa Trail, trail runner

Keith and I ran the Mesa Trail again this Saturday, but in the reverse direction. We started and ended at Chautauqua Park in Boulder. This enabled us to breakfast at the Chautauqua Dining Hall. This place doesn’t get much press, one of Boulder’s hidden gems. We didn’t feel under-dressed in our sweaty running gear and muddy shoes. Although I’m not sure it’s possible to under-dress anywhere in Boulder, except maybe the Flagstaff House restaurant. We were here because of Susan’s (Keith’s wife) birthday. She was running with Jabe’s Running Group – an incredibly social network of runners in my neighborhood. They launched from the South Mesa Trailhead and joined us for breakfast at Chautauqua. With seven runners and several other hikers and friends, we pwned the place.

This running-centered, real-world social event leads me to think of the virtual social discussion from the Trail Runner Magazine’s current blogging topic: Social Media – Bane or Boon to Trail Running. It seems unlikely any blogger would respond “bane”, and I’m no exception. I’ll tell you how I leverage social media. When I plan to run a trail, as part of an event or otherwise, I query hiking and running blogs for trail descriptions. It’s the rare trail race web site that describes an event to the detail I desire. I’m happy if they provide an elevation chart, but those can be misleading. Many event web sites are so poor in content I wonder why they bother. I’m waiting for the year the Boulder Marathon figures out how to add links to their sponsor logos. Even the good ones though, like the IPR from Ouray to Telluride, are no substitute for a verbose, segment-by-segment writeup by a good blogger. I want more than a description, I want to read the experience.

The information I look for in a running blog includes advice on how to prep for the event. How to optimally run the course. Especially tips on the best eateries in the vicinity. It’s difficult to say exactly what detail will turn out good-to-know. Copious comments might contain content that I would not have thought to consider. This is where the social aspect comes into play. Social media is a boon to communication. And communication expands the potential of whatever it’s focused on.

I can imagine worse case scenarios wherein word-of-mouth leads to more popularity than a trail or event can support. You see this with some big road races; they start out small and become huge as a consequence of their successful operations. Trails generally control this by setting limits on participation. I don’t know how trail events establish these limits – probably experience. I think the Imogene Pass Run has a weather related cutoff time to get runners over the pass. Regardless, I don’t think trail running suffers any adverse affects from social media. It’s all good.

From the WordPress stats my blog receives, I find many readers come from searches on upcoming events. No doubt, they query blogs for the same reasons I do. Search terms contain the race name along with the word “training” or “review”. Immediately after the event, searches contain the race name along with “results” and “photos”. Of course I don’t see as many searches for this as I do “sexy trail runner” and “runner porn”, but that’s the Internet for you.

My runner’s story is a prime example of running related social media. It extends my enjoyment of trail running with another enjoyable hobby of writing. Perhaps posting these pics of my friends on the trail today enhances our collective experience. That’s Keith in the first two pics, he’s navigating a treacherous snow-covered bridge in the second. The trail was more mud today than dirt from Wednesday’s half foot of snow. We could only average a 12 minute pace for ten miles. Eve, in the third photo, dared to wear brightly-colored gear despite the mud. She later said the conditions made her feel like a kid. Jabe is clearly enjoying herself as she wades upstream on the trail in the fourth photo. And the final pic captures our birthday runner Susan leading Jen in both conversation and running on the snow covered trail.

I missed snapping a shot of Suzy, and unfortunately she didn’t have time to join us for breakfast. It was a two hour run. I will say the real world social aspect of running beats this virtual social media stuff hands down. The girls told hilarious stories and the food at that place was awesome. So were my two Bloody Marys. The virtual world is no substitute for drinking after a satisfying ten mile trail run through snow, ice and mud. Sharing pictures is a nice benefit of social media. It helps to remember the experience. Not as good as being there though.

Mesa Trail

13 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Boulder, Katja Broecker, Mesa Trail, Trail Runner Magazine

I could do my taxes. Instead I’m writing my blog. That tells you most everything you need to know about me. But this post isn’t about me. I’m participating in a blog discussion with TrailRunner Magazine with the subject set as, “Can trail running develop into an unhealthy addiction?” Wonder if there’s a social networking term for group blogging like this. I know, TrailRunner Mag’s question sounds rhetorical. Absolutely it can be habit forming. Seems redundant though to say unhealthy. Addictions generally carry a negative enough connotation with them rendering that adjective unnecessary. Or is it?

Running by itself can be addictive. The endorphins that release into the body after 45 minutes or so generate a nice buzz for the vain, skinny, hypocritical road runners who tell you they do it for their health – in between buying inserts from the local PT dealer and scheduling their next MRI. The law hasn’t yet caught up to these junkies.

Let’s be clear though, trail runners are different from road runners. We don’t sit around after our runs in a stoned stupor; our runs themselves are Henry David Thoreau inspired transcendental experiences. A road runner’s addiction is a trail runner’s discipline. If addiction represents a habit formed by incessant trail running, then certainly we are addicts. We are not fair weather runners. We fling spring mud and wander through winter whiteout conditions nearly naked in shorts. Addiction is a tool leveraged by weak minded road runners in their hope to form a healthy habit. The disciplined trail runner keeps the mind soberly focused on prepping the appropriate gear to the forecasts from their Weather Channel app. The trail runner’s romp though adverse conditions and challenging terrain is as conscious a decision every time as the sun rising in the morning and setting over the horizon at dusk. You will not find a more controlled and deliberate habit.

What could be unhealthy about it? Are trail runners dazed in a foggy haze in social environs? I lived in the athletic dorm one semester in college and recall a roommate who could talk about nothing other than his workouts. I found him boring beyond belief. Vain and narcissistic people find their way in sports. There’s a reinforcing affinity between their personality and the workouts. That’s not a result of the repetitive nature of running the trail day in and day out. They’re simply self-centered. The repetition that forms the habit – that establishes the addiction – is a beautiful thing.

To ask if trail running is an unhealthy habit is to suggest a healthy addiction is an option. Have you watched an elite athlete run? Up close? I was following on the heels of 20 year old Katja Broecker in last week’s Boulder Half Marathon. She passed me at 7 miles and I fell in behind her because her stride was so excellent, it sucked me in like a vortex. She was mostly airborne, her feet touched down only long enough to satisfy the gods she was human. I was behind and slightly to her right at 8 miles when she cut in front of me to grab a water at the aid station. I was ready to throw my arms up to keep from colliding with her but instead she sipped her water at full speed, tossed the cup, and the space between us never closed by even an inch. Who can do that? I can’t. That’s the exquisite form of an elite athlete and that level of skill comes only from training to the point your body has reached the level of art. I have no doubt coming down from such a high is painful. I know first hand what it feels like to be sidelined from injury. The addiction left unfed worms its way through your mind until it’s destroyed all self-confidence. Unwinding an addiction is ugly, but when it’s created beautiful art it can’t be bad.

Keith and I ran the Mesa Trail today from Eldorado Canyon to Chautauqua Park in Boulder. And back. About a 13 mile trail run over steep inclines and mud. I know I’ve neglected certain things to be able to wake up early to run this trail. Maybe it was asocial of me not to be out quaffing drinks with friends. But if you ask me how I feel right now, I would not respond by saying I feel unhealthy. I’m buzzed and I can’t wait to get back out to run it again.

Last Run

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Austin, Boulder, CPTR, Heil Valley Ranch, IPR, Moab, Stevie Ray Vaughan

For my last run of the year – Lady Bird Lake in Austin. The old Town Lake setting is always enjoyable and a great venue to end another year of running. As I think back, these are my coolest runs of 2012.

Moab. If you haven’t run Moab, or hiked the area, or mountain biked on the slick rock, you’re missing out on one of this country’s premiere outdoor locales.

CPTR. The 25 mile Collegiate Peaks Trail Run is such a nice experience. The views don’t get any better. But I think it was the friendly participants and general atmosphere of Buena Vista that make this event worthwhile.

IPR. I’ve run the Imogene Pass Run twice now. At 17 miles, it appears more doable than a marathon. More like a half marathon. But trust me, your time will be slower than what you can run for a marathon. This run only has one hill, but it’s ten miles up and seven steep miles down. Easily the most challenging trail I’ve ever run.

Barton Creek Greenbelt. I just ran this trail the other day for the first time in over 20 years but used to run it regularly. I’ve yet to discover a comparable inner city trail run.

Boulder County. I’m lucky that I live here. I’m partial to the East Boulder/White Rock trails and Heil Valley Ranch but there are countless trails in the foothills of the Front Range. And I’m fortunate to have the LoBo Trail out my front door that I run to Niwot and back on most days.

The Boulder Half

27 Sunday Mar 2011

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Boulder, half marathon

I completed the Boulder Half Marathon this morning and it went really well. I must be learning my pace. I ran this exactly how I described my plans in earlier blog posts. I ran the first half nice and easy – maybe a 9 minute mile pace. Upon turning back at the 6.55 mile marker, I dropped a minute or more off my pace. Man did that feel good. But let me start at the beginning.

For breakfast, I ate a banana and a tasty organic tangerine. I also had a mug of java – half decaf, half the real deal. I included a sip of OJ and a glass of water.

I reached the Boulder Reservoir at 7:15. It was nice being able to park there close to the race start in terms of not having to commit to my race gear until the final minute. It was chilly as I expected but the wind seemed fairly calm. I committed to the two race jerseys I described in my last blog post, along with a thin pair of Under Armour tights and runners gloves. I figured I didn’t really need the tights, but they kept me comfortable while waiting for the race to start. And I felt confident I wasn’t over dressed as easily 80% of the crowd was wearing tights of some sort.

I also had to make a decision on what hat to wear. I brought a fleece runner’s hat and my Barr Camp runner’s cap. I have three fleece hats of varying thickness. This was the thinnest – my baby bear edition. But the idea of wearing it for 13.1 miles didn’t appeal to me. Fleece hats get so sweaty. Since the wind wasn’t strong, I figured my ears would be fine and opted for the runner’s cap. It’s easy to pop that thing off and force the sweat out of it by swinging it a few times. Plus the bill shades the sun – which came out from the clouds right at the start of the race.

I launched my playlist in shuffle mode and started the race to REM. Seemed appropriate. By 2 miles, I’d warmed up nicely and would not have needed the tights, but they were such a light pair that I felt fine with them the entire course. I noticed the first race photographer at this spot too – I didn’t know this event would have them. I’m guessing the Flat Irons were in the background at this spot so I hope they got a picture of me. I was dressed head to ankle as black as a cat burglar. Ideally, this color selection will make me appear more slender than the white compression jersey I wore in Moab. The picture above might not show this, but in other pics it made my prominent belly pop.

I removed my gloves at 4 miles, and also surrendered a minute to take a leak. A minute well spent I assure you. I encountered the lead runner around 4.5 miles coming back on the out and back course, and saw the first female around mile 5. When I say she was pretty in pink, she was wearing pink and she was a blond cutie. Boulder’s finest.

Upon turning back myself at the half way point, I did exactly what I had hoped I would do – I turned on the jets. It could have been the down slope, or it might have been Green Day. ENGLAND! I feel like I dropped a good 90 seconds off my pace. I felt awesome. And I wasn’t the only one – a couple of guys and a couple more women had the same plan and challenged me. But I kept strong and didn’t let anyone surge past me until the final half mile when I decided to coast in for a warm down rather than race it in. I ran strong the entire way back and that was my reward to myself. I’d accomplished my workout plan and didn’t feel a need to kick.

I don’t know my true chip time yet but the clock read about 49 minutes – which is the same time I ran in Moab. This felt so much better though. I started out slow the first mile in Moab but otherwise ran a strong, consistent pace. The final 3 miles in Moab were difficult as the course sloped uphill. Today I ran easy for the entire first half. And it was noticeably tougher than Moab because the first 6 miles were completely uphill – an elevation gain of 300 feet. And at 5200 feet, you feel every one of those 300 feet. So controlling my pace was smart. The return back down those same 300 feet felt great. I started so fast between miles 6 and 7 that I didn’t know if I could maintain my pace. I know I dropped back off a good 30 seconds, but overall I stayed strong. I’m really glad I decided to run this event.

Drinking a Boulder Beer at the finish, I sat down next to this guy, he said his name was Jim Frimers. Not sure if I spelled that correctly, but he’s a writer for Trail Runner Magazine. I really enjoyed talking to him and plan to look up his column. Next weekend I’ll meet up with A Lo Hawk to hike the Colorado Trail. Looking forward to that.