The summer’s going by in a whirlwind and with it, mountain running season. While I’m not big on meticulously recapping, dissecting, and picking apart every race—I don’t want to bore anybody to tears after all (like, my mom and maybe the one or two other people who read this)--given that I haven’t had the pleasure of doing so in quite a while, I’m going to allow myself to indulge in that for just a few minutes here. So, forgive me.…

The prodigal blogger returns!  My June got away from me with work stuff, family visiting and a stomach bug after Garden of the Gods!  But I'm back...and no whiny freakouts about the Ascent this time, haha! 

Summer Roundup is tomorrow!  My "race" plan (if you can even call it that, hence the scare quotes) is similar to Garden of the Gods...I'm just going to treat it as a fun run since I don't think I'm in traditional…

Hi there. My name is Susanna Barnwell. I am doing my second Triple Crown this year and have been asked to blog about my experiences with the running program I am using to accomplish my goals. So why read my musings? Well, we hear from pros and trainers and industry specialists all the time, but not the regular every day runners out there who…

I’ve read two of fellow Mighty Marmots heartfelt blogs today and thought I’d jump in. Anna wrote about overcoming her fears and pushing herself toward new adventures. Michael, unfortunately, is dealing with personal loss from two people he cares about. It takes courage to discuss these issues publicly. Thanks to them for sharing! It’s a testament to the character of the Mighty…

Yesterday morning, Rich  invited me to a memorial hike to honor his daughter, Allie, who died in a car accident last week.  This really hit home for me.  The pain was all too real.  Someone I love and care about had lost the one thing that no parent ever wants to lose.  Another friend, Re, miscarried the day before this. She wrote a little post on Facebook that went like this:  "It was a wisp, a dandelion seed, a spider silk, a puff…

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.” ~ J.K. Rowlings

A couple of months ago I was offered a unique…

Ouch - Pikes Peak Training – 4^th of July 2016 – Barr Camp

A happy 4^th of July spent training on the Peak!   We started at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs so we could get that extra mile up Ruxton Avenue and avoid…

With the snow finally melted off of the summit of Pikes Peak and with the Ascent and Marathon bearing down on us in just a smidgeon over six weeks, now might be a good time to consider your footwear options for tackling America's Mountain this year.

While Barr Trail is not overly technical and seasoned Ascent and Marathon veterans might find a road shoe to be adequate enough to serve their ascending and decsending needs, the overwhelming majority of runners can…

Quinnian’s

Happy 240^th Birthday USA!!!!!

We’re running downtown this week BUT taking a FIELD TRIP next week (12 July) to Boulder Running Company J…

     Human development is simply amazing. As infants, we're helpless, relying on the selfless love and kindness of others for survival. Our strength is hardly enough to resist gravity and our coordination is no better. We're dependent for all of our needs from being clothed for temperature regulation, cleaned for health and hygiene, and fed for nourishment. Each of these tasks are done for us, taken on by those who love us and brought us into the world. But soon enough, we develop more…

I'm not the best at keeping up with training while traveling.  I travel pretty regularly for work and at times find it hard to get in a good workout.  The hotels usally do have pretty fitness rooms, but swimming is probably the hardest as the hotel pools aren't really conducive for laps.  Biking is almost as tough,…

On Saturday, June 25, I gave Elk Park Trail a try.  This is one of my favorite trails because it is really high and has some great views. The trip starts at timberline just off the Pikes Peak Highway and drops about 1800 feet to Barr Camp.  Then you turn around and run back.  It's about 10.5 miles round trip with some gentle, rolling hills, and some good technical stuff as well.…

Quinnian’s

Summer sun = summer runs!!! Hope you’re enjoying the long days and short nights.

WE NEED TRIPLE CROWN SERIES VOLUNTEERS!

You can sign up to volunteer for any of…

Are there really only eight weeks until the Pikes Peak Ascent?



Somewhere along the way, I added a week in my mind, so I had a minor freakout earlier this week when I realized I'd been counting wrong!



I'd been feeling pretty confident about my training, but after learning I'd lost a week, I began panicking that I wasn't doing enough.  Thoughts turned to: I didn't start Ascent training early enough (an injury…

After my run this morning I thought I would share my thoughts on why Tim Bergsten thought I would be an asset to the team.

Reasons Why I Make a Good Marmot:

1. Both like to pose for the camera
2. Appears by the arms that they hit up the gym about the same amount of time each week
3. Both have just a smidge of white hair
4. Both live in high elevation
5. Both are a great distraction for tired…

It always amazes me how fast these races sneak up on you once the season begins.  The first leg of the Triple Crown of Running is in the books and just when you thought you could take a breather, BAM!, here comes the Summer Round Up Trail Run.  Each of the Triple Crown races present their own unique challenges whether it be the distance, the course, or just your own personal challenges.

According to the Summer Round Up…

The snow is almost gone in the Pikes Peak region, with surrounding mountain ranges still holding deep pockets in their couloirs and shady spots.  As a result, a heck of a lot more people are playing outdoors, exploring new areas, and training hard.  Unfortunately, this also equates to a lot more Search and Rescue (SAR) missions.  For simplicity sake, there are…

Competition. Growing up I always loved competition. I grew up with tons of cousins- and by tons I mean twenty-eight first cousins on one side of my family. My fondest memories include competition. Majority of my cousins were older boys so there was never a time I wasn’t being coached to juke my opponent while we played football in front of our grandparents’ house or learn how to perfect the fancy pass on the basketball court. Since…

It’s been a week since the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run. It was a beautiful day! I finished in 1:37 which is about what I’d expected and slower than my potential. Training was slow in the weeks leading to the race. I’ve been battling the remnants of an ankle injury and was cautious leading to the race. Good news though! The ankle held strong and has been improving quite a bit…

The Garden of the Gods is such a spectacular place to run and a perfect way to kick-off the Triple Crown of Running!  Thanks to Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc. for putting on such a well-organized event, as well as, the Pikes Peak Road Runners for their support and timing, all the high school track/cross country teams that manned the aid stations in the Aid Station Challenge, the Colorado Running Company and all the sponsors, and of…