We have about 9 days left until the Ascent.  It feels like I have been on this journey to get to the top of the mountain for a really long time. I remember when I got notified that I had been chosen to be a Marmot. I was SO EXCITED! I did a giant happy dance, and I immediately felt really cool, like I had arrived somewhere; like I was finally something. It's silly, it really…

The past few weeks have been crazy busy for me. Among other things, this has meant that my longer runs/hikes have not been on the weekend and/or not been in Colorado Springs. So I have had to go solo. While I am quite the independent person who does not like to ask for help, I am somehow not very good at going solo. 

My last post (from forever ago) was about the importance of running friends and community. I really don't think I would be in the shape I am if it were not for…

So in the interest of not dying during the Pikes Peak Marathon coming up in less than two weeks (um, yikes), I decided to put my minimal summer training to the test the past two weekends in a race setting. 

The original plan was to spend July 29-30 at Barr Camp with my husband and the baby. We'd backpack up Saturday morning, spend the night in our tent, I'd wake up at some ungodly hour on Sunday to summit, and then we'd pack everything up and head down. Sounded like a grand adventure,…

I put together a YouTube video of my run/hike to the top of Pikes Peak.  Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/Zm14Aqn4xuU

This past weekend I completed that first unofficial attack pack double in 14 hours and 12 minutes.  I say unofficial because it is something I made up in my mind while on a Tuesday morning run with the attack pack.  The midnight pony (15 mile run around Rampart Reservoir at night) was coming up and Ramsey said that before hitting the trail he would of already biked a bunch of miles and swam as well.  He knew he was going to be tired but was still going to do the run.  I then said I was…

I woke up this morning, made my coffee, sat in my favorite chair and noticed how much I am enjoying this beautiful Fall day... Wait a minute! It's only 7 August! I am not complaining by any means. I love the cooler weather. One thing that I have learned this year is that I am much more comfortable running and being outside when its a lovely 50-60 degrees versus 90 or higher. I remember running the shadow races (a race that you do in the Middle East while the real race is going on in the US)…

Berry Pickin Marmot

August 5, Vail, Colorado

Started the morning off with a nice little 2000 feet ascent over 3 miles. The race ended at 4.5 miles, but some of it was traverse and downhill!! The climb was literally breath taking. Not only was the race climbing 2000 feet, but it started out at 8,022 feet. The single track including beautiful creek crossings, Aspens, and views that are so wonderful it is hard to describe. This will be my last big ascent training run…

Wow how time flies.  I can't believe that the Ascent is just two and half weeks away.  Actually I can believe it. 

I started training for the Pikes Peak Ascent in December of 2016.  Why so early you ask? I started my running career in January of 2016 and weighing 206 lbs. January to December I made huge strides in improving my running and getting into shape losing 26 lbs.  However I was primarily running flat terrain and not very much trail. I knew I had a ton of training to do to be…

Quick side note before we get into the thick of things. I feel like I haven’t given enough love to our other Marmot Sponsor, Mountain Equipment Recyclers. I just went in there the other day because I needed a sleeping mat, and they had the perfect one for me! I love the staff, and I appreciate how they handle my…

I often find myself with writers block.  I have decided to venture into vlogging my running activities.  These videos will be  raw and real with very little editing. 

https://youtu.be/wZSyFu-NRLY

Happy Colorado Day…..141 years young J

Be sure to visit our new website (www.JackQuinnsRunners.com) and let us know what you think.

 …

Why does everyone love the Incline?  To my readers please answer this. 

The negatives:

• I can't run up the thing so I am just walking
• To many people, unless it is the winter time or the weather is bad
• Top section of the trail still needs repair and is one big hazard

The positives:

• One hell of a leg work out

As you can see I dislike the Incline more than I love it.  Just the other day the attack pack running…

Officially finished the Barr Trail Mountain Race!! However, I was the last official finisher within the 3:30 time limit. I knew this race was going to be tough. It was more of a mental issue this year. Last year, 2016, I took a nasty fall at Lightening Point and literally broke my cheek bone and sprained my right ankle really bad. I was fretting about finishing this race again since I took that fall last year. Race morning, I woke up and repeated to myself, all I need to do…

When I wrote my last post, I was literally boarding a plane to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We headed to this beautiful part of the world as a graduation present for my step-son, Dylan. As I packed for this trip, I packed workout gear for everyday. The hotel we stayed at had a good gym, including spin bikes. My motivation to workout was high, especially coming off one of my best training weeks, in awhile.

I don't know how many of you pack workout gear and never touch it, but that…

So by now I've learned that keeping up with the blogging is much harder this year than it was last time. Sorry, Tim! 

Anyway, less than a month to go before we all toe the line to take on The Mountain. (Hoping our trials against it are more successful than those against the Game of Thrones character by the same name.) Since I last checked in, I've raced twice: the Summer Roundup Trail Run, aka the second leg of the Triple Crown, and the Barr Trail Mountain Race, aka the scrappy little…

"I woke in the morning 

and I stepped outside

And I took a deep breath

And I got real high,

And I screamed from the top of my lungs,

'This Ascent course…

Hello Quinnian’s!

Be sure to visit our new website (www.JackQuinnsRunners.com) and let us know what you think.

CALLING ALL…

I remember my first trip up to train on the summit of Pikes back in the summer of 2014 one morning shortly after Mt. Washington, and glancing up to see my first bighorn sheep up close as I was picking my way across the Cog Railroad tracks…

Check out our new website (www.JackQuinnsRunners.com) and let us know what you think.

Joining us this week at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Restaurant:

- Boulder Running Company

- JQRC…