In the immortal words of Kevin McAllister, “this is it, don’t get scared now.”  This past week, as I wrapped up work on a tough and busy semester, I found myself curiously focused, not on the 62-page behemoth capstone project for student teaching, not on finishing the research article I’m hoping to submit for publication, not on the myriad of other projects that I was tackling, but on the fact that I needed to hit the pavement.  That there are only 3 weeks left until my…

After a disaster of a 2013 Pikes Peak Ascent, Tim has brought me back on board for the 2014 PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Team.  You can go here to see my intro from last year.  Since I can’t figure out how to run the Ascent without getting embarrassed, I’m just going to settle for a full weekend of throttling from the mountain as I signed up for the Double.

Of course, there’s a…

     I've always been a "things happen for a reason" kind of person. Whether this holds true for anything, much less everything, actually isn't all that important to me. It's our interpretation of things in life and our individual beliefs that matter.

     With that said, having a lingering Achilles issue for the better part of the year while preparing for one of the grandest ultra-races in the country has, at times, been incredibly frustrating. Week after week of limited…

From www.upadowna.org

The running race season is upon us and many of us are already making plans or registering for races we want…

It's getting close - the opening race of the 2013 Ascent Cycling Series. Only 20 short days until we get to line up and hear Andy blow his whistle to release us onto the single track. This year might be the best yet with two dates at Palmer Park, two at Bear Creek Terrace and a return to Cheyenne Mountain State Park. I'm looking forward to all of the races, but the one at CMPS is going to be awesome. I don't know what the course is going to be, but everything at CMSP is fun. With five races…

Life is full of surprises. Cliché, I know, but these past few weeks and months have shown the truth in that.

If you would have told me when I was in elementary or middle school that by the latter part of high school and especially in college I’d be an avid runner, I would have said, “you’re crazy”. And now, I’m going crazy when I am too busy that I am forced to cut down my 2 hour workout to 1 hour, and even more so when I’m forced to take 2 rest days a week. .

And if you would…

     Since Colorado Springs has finally warmed up enough for my liking, I am bravely abandoning my trusty treadmill this week and venturing outside to prepare for the Triple Crown of Running races.  Of course, I use the term "races" very loosely since my general goal is to keep a pace that doesn't make me breathe too hard or sweat too much.  In essence, I am too comfortable to be accurately "racing," but it sounds good anyhow to non-running strangers that don't know the difference. Of…

The Effects of Overtraining Part I

~ Over training- Is a physical, behavioral, and emotional condition that occurs when the volume and intensity of an individual's exercise exceeds their recovery capacity. They cease making progress, and can even begin to lose strength and fitness. Overtraining is a common problem in several sports, but it can also be experienced by runners and other athletes. Even the best of us wanting to get better experience this

Addiction

~ Physical…

Most runners have had the experience: you train like crazy, you prep for a race with good nutrition and decent sleep, the weather on race day is not so bad, and somehow, the race itself still falls apart.

The most extreme memory I have of that type of “falling apart” might involve me, standing under the Colorado bridge (less than a mile from the finish) in the American Discovery Trail Marathon, having an internal negotiation about whether I would run it in, or walk it in.  Did I…

Our Hardscrabble Mountain Trail Run courses are the 5K and 10K with the hearts of an ultra.  There's 1,083 feet of cumulative elevation gain on the 10K, and 475 feet for the 5K.

Leave your PR at home!

Register today! www.hardscrabblerun.com…

We are pretty fortunate to have Pikes Peak as our playground right in our own backyard. 

We couldn’t ask for a more beautiful sight when out for an early morning run?!

Our usual Thursday Incline turned into a Friday Incline this week with the rain yesterday.  I know, pretty wimpy right?   Although it was a little hazy over the city, a great…

On the eve of another Mother's Day weekend, I look forward to the inevitable tokens my kids will bestow upon me -- usually comprised of mysterious clay sculptures, fresh picked dandelions, handmade cards and priceless hugs that make the day truly special. We will likely engage in some type of outdoor activity, and if I'm feeling up to it, I may even squeeze in a Mother's Day…

Ever wonder if anyone pays attention to your updates on Facebook? Find yourself in the middle of a terrorist attack with no cell phone reception and you will quickly appreciate Facebook for more than just silly banter.

I’m slow. Literally and figuratively. Anyone that knows me well would agree. I am a slow runner, reader, writer, eater, blonde…and certainly a slow…

     What an incredible week it has been, being named to the Triple Crown Running Team! I find it particularly exciting since I haven’t been honored with a crown since I was named Miss Teen Osan Air Force Base in 1988.  While I’m still anxiously awaiting my official Triple Crown tiara, I decided I might as well make a decent attempt to get back into shape so I can actually complete these crazy runs that come with the title.  Plus, I don’t want to appear too slovenly in the upcoming team…

I’d like to start my blog by acknowledging a few bloggers from the previous teams.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about Brandon’s adventures over this past two years.  From the monthly Pikes Peak summits, to Incline-athon, Stationary Elliptical Marathon, and most recently on his amazing finish in Fruita despite being “untrained.”  Brandon’s blogs keep me motivated to keep getting out there.  I’ve also enjoyed reading JT’s blogs, mainly because they make me laugh and remind me not to take…

Even though I took it up relatively late in life, running is part of my identity. My faraway family and friends inquire about my running, and I frequently broach the subject with new friends and colleagues to find kindred spirits.  And 50% of the time, people who don’t know my running habits well ask me if I run “that race up that mountain,” referring, ostensibly, to the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Before last month, my response was always the same: “I’m definitely crazy, but I’m not that…

Big Mountain Trail Run 10K Race Report and INKnBURN shout out!…

Katie and I were recently given a late wedding gift that was about the most awesome thing ever:

A buddy of mine swiped this off the wall of an Old Colorado City pub some 20+ years ago.  The sign hung out collecting dust in his basement until he decided I could give it the proper respect.  I sent a picture to Matt Carpenter, implying that if…