Felt a bit chained to my work desk this week – month’s first week is always a busy one.

Needed to get in an outdoors fix…but couldn’t imagine another 4am alarm buzz.  Settled on a nearby glacier hike – snow, thin air, just over an hour away…yep, that’d do.

Would be my 4th trip to St. Mary’s Glacier, 20 minutes off I-70: Idaho Springs exit 238.  10am start – still early enough to secure a spot in overflow parking.  Warm, sunshiny day…MUCH better weather than the trek last summer with my Sis & family.  Cold rain fell all week that July (rare summer precip in arid Colorado)…luck of the Grecos 🙁

Seven-tenths mile UP.  UP boulders, ‘cross thin dirt trails thru evergreen cover, more boulders…then clear, pristine St. Mary’s Lake, edges iced – lake located just below the glacier, ringed by bristlecone pine & thick willow.  Snapped Colorado landscape, then started the next trek UP…thru a long willow thicket, glacier loomed LARGE ahead.  Scaled loose rock & scree ‘round the lip of St. Mary’s.

Hiked another half-mile, peered down at decades old ice, thinly covered by the previous day’s snowfall.  Early season snowboarders skimmed the glacier’s rough surface.

Air breezed cool.  Kicked back & lunch snacked.  Napped 20 minutes..little piece of heaven.

Glissaded a short stretch & made snow angels on the hike return.  FAAANNNTASTIC!

Short 15-minute drive away, mineral soaked in nearby Indian Hot Springs.  Dated enclosure but the springs’ hot water muscle-soothes whatever ails ya.  Great day end.  Head back in the game, tomorrow a.m. marathoning local at the Rez.

SUNDAY – early start…but the closest commute of my marathon journey to date.  20 short minutes away, running the Boulder Reservoir today (the Rez).  4 laps ‘round, home before noon.

Unfortunately wasn’t feeling it this day.  Good first 10K, started puking between miles 11 & 12.  Finished the first Half; took a prolonged sit-down in nearby port-a-john.  Felt dizzy/unsteady, morning sun & nausea zapped.  Walked, jogged, started lap 3.  Struggled mentally, tough time.  Called it a day before mile marker 15.  DNF (did not finish).  Returned my timing chip.  Dejected, headed home.

Quick shower, hunkered down with Ro, slept the afternoon away.  LOVE LOVE my pup.  Would reset & regroup the ego tomorrow.  Whole ton of excuses – but at the end of the day, I didn’t finish.  Failing is a tough pill to swallow.

St Mary’s Glacier (melt-off sip)