It doesn’t seem much like it with 50 degrees and heavy cloud cover, but this time of year always reminds me of the excitement I used to feel when the snow is gone from the mountain passes and the trails become accessible for some serious training. Something must still be stirring in my soul though because I find myself looking at the trail running calendars and trying to run a few steps everyday despite the pain in my lower back. Almost imperceptible, but enough to inspire hope is the slight improvement each day that I am experiencing. Today the run was out of necessity but I was glad for the work that I have recently logged. I was pushing the wheelchair back up the hill from the coffee shop when the wind kicked up and the temperature fell drastically. I knew I’d better hustle to get my chair bound patient to safety before the hail began to fall. Happily we made it and now the rain has begun to fall. I fear the huge drops that are falling herald the dreaded hail that I have been hearing about in the forecast.
She is sleeping and I am thinking about my next Examiner story. Completed are my articles on how and where to train for an ultra for those north of the Denver area as well as those who are training in the Colorado Springs area. Now I think I will turn my attention to the long runs and research the ultra marathon schedule for Colorado’s summer running season. The Leadville 100 is nearest and dearest to my heart as I recall many summers on the trails in the high country of the Collegiate Peaks training with my friends for that great race. The sport has been steadily catching on in my state in the last few years and I have been hearing about new races that are gaining in popularity. With the addition of the new races I wonder if runners still speak of the the Grand Slam of ultra running, completing the Big Four, the Western States 100, Vermont 100, and the Wasatch Front 100 and Leadville Trail 100 mile runs all in one year. Stay tuned as I answer those questions and more. Subscribe to my Examiner account and you will be sure not to miss any updates.
