After reading my fellow Pikes Peak Sports Triple Crown team member, Jon Teisher's post about Salida, I feel compelled to write about my favorite mountain town - Telluride. Up until last August I had never been, but after a week-long visit I was hooked. Now I commit myself to that six-hour drive every chance I get, and made the trek last Wednesday for another week. I was there for Mountainfilm (an amazing and awe-inspring film festival), and spent more time in theaters watching movies than I probably should be this close to the Garden of the Gods 10-miler... That said, I did manage to fit in some good runs and hikes, and I'm hoping that training at 9,000 feet may have nudged me a little bit closer to where I want to be, fitness-wise, by June 10. I make sure to hike the Jud Wiebe trail every time I go to Telluride, and it has become one of my favorites. This past week was the first time I attempted to run up the trail, though, and I got my ass handed to me on day 1. I did it again two times after that, though, and fared far better (though neither run was anywhere near Ascent-quality). I also did two flat (and short) runs while I was there (but again am hoping that the elevation will do something for me), and a short, sweet hike up to a beautiful waterfall (Cornet Falls).

The sport I spent most of my time and energy on in Telluride, though, was cornhole (see picture). And walking up the hill to the house from breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and midday snacks... I love the food in town. It may not have been the most productive trip in terms of my training, but it was the most fun I've had in a while. I think it was more beneficial for me to appreciate being in an incredible town with awesome and funny people than to focus too much energy on training, training, training.  

I'm not sure if it was all the films I watched about climbing mountains and skiing and having amazing adventures, or if it was just being in Telluride, but I drove out of town feeling more sure than ever that I want to live in the West my entire life. It doesn't have to be Telluride, or even Colorado necessarily, but I need the mountains. I need the rocks, the trees, the altitude and the fresh air it breathes, the wildlife, the snow, and the sun. I love being able to look around me and have the earth, the actual ground and everything growing on it, tell a story about where it came from and what it's been through and who has been there. I think it's amazing, and fascinating, and I don't ever want to lose that fascination. Watching the rocks formations change on the drive home, I told all of this to a friend in the car, and he said "it kinda sounds like you should be a geologist." Maybe... or maybe I just need to live where I can walk out my front door and be awe-struck by mountains that are so massive and beautiful (here's to you, Pikes), and where going for a run is an adventure, not just some exercise. 

For the past couple of weeks, I was looking at the Triple Crown as a sort of burden that I could make less painful by training (and somehow I was still excited about it...). I have a different perspective now. I'm not too concerned with doing incredibly well (although my parents' competitive genes will never be fully squelched in me), and am instead looking at the races as a way to explore this beautiful place I live in. I'm more excited than ever. 

I also just signed up for my first ever triathlon (Diva Sprint), so I'm looking forward to exploring some new biking trails, too!