MyCOLORADOLife.net

fall colour & football

Published October 31, 2014

It’s been a busy Fall season – lotta work, lotta marathoning — and a warm one too! After an early September 11^th flurry fest, unfortunately saw no snow in October – zero, nada, zilch.

Autumn has always been my favourite season – foliage colour & cooler temps. LOVE it! Always feel like – yes! made it thru another summer 🙂 Autumn = hot apple cider, pumpkins & county fairs.

Having Ash & Tom as housemates meant homemade pumpkin cookies for our fur babies, Ro & Marty, festive outdoor decorations AND a whole lotta Halloween candy for costumed trick-or-treaters while I travelled to Indy. Fall 2014 = a new car for Ash after her Jeep Liberty was crushed by a deer (5pm, in traffic, in Boulder — shows it can happen to anyone).

Autumn = Football. I’ve seen more NFL this season than I have in years. In addition to the weekly office pool, Ash & Tom are part of multiple fantasy football leagues. It’s crazy, dysfunctional fun — Ash’s rooting for the Bengal’s kicker, a wide receiver from Arizona & Denver’s quarterback. Whereas last year I watched the Broncos & [New England] Patriots (old habits die hard), this year my house is engaged all week. Monday night, Thursday night & all day Sunday. Will be sad to see the season end.

so long summer, FALL has arrived. #ROOOOOAAAAARRRR

: check out that sunset – SPECTACULAR!

: pumpkins & scarecrows

: Ash decked our digs

: this guy’s all smiles

: Fall baking – Ro & Marty pumpkin cookies

: my turn on the couch?

: office bet gone wrong — Cowboys over the Giants

: Happy Halloween!

col·li·sion noun 1. an instance of one moving object striking violently against another.

: Ash’s new ride

: R.I.P. Jeep Liberty

: R.I.P. Bambi

Posted in Life | Tagged autumn, football, holidays, wildlife | Leave a comment

Des Moines Marathon, IA

Published October 19, 2014

Sunday morning, marathon morning.

Over the past few months, I’ve met a lotta marathoners. As a result, my FB newsfeed lights up on the weekends. Today I’m sharing the day with Rock n Roll Denver runners – crazy, I haven’t yet marathoned in my own home state. Strategy’s been to bang out an even mix of East Coast/West Coast races – based on ease of travel, cost & time away from work.

Not sure if Colorado will be my 50^th, but keeping the possibility open. ALSO thinking NYC or maybe Hawaii. Wherever the location – it’s gonna be a party! 50 State Goal – 2016!

Arrived downtown early to secure parking, then slept like a bum in the rental until half past 7. Des Moines races 10,000+ strong – that’s a lotta runners, one of my largest marathon fields to date.

Long sleeves, gloves, a 2^nd t-shirt – all geared up after last weekend’s chill in Rhode Island. Lesson learned.

Des Moines’ race route would be a mirror opposite of Newport. Lotta rolling hills over the first 17 miles, then flat to the finish. I felt strong today – despite marathoning only 8 days ago.

LOVE every marathon start. LOVE the excitement, the buzz, the music. LOVE our national anthem.

Hung close to the 3:40 pace group. Last weekend I went out fast for 15 miles before dropping back. This Sunday: same tactic, same result. But dang I was strong up the hills – unfortunately, no gas left in the tank for the flat finish.

Another ugly form finish but timed within 4 minutes of last weekend’s race. Sweet!

Mentally I’m getting stronger. Heading home with a Plan to improve nutrition, increase core & sub-4 in 2015 (Duluth won’t be a one-time wonder). Consistency is the key.

Lucky #13 marathon FINISHER! Woo-hoo!

Indy in 2 weeks, then another 3 races in 2014 (Vegas, Tulsa & Rehoboth Beach, Delaware). I’ll end 2014 at 17 states – that’s roughly a third complete. Heavy race schedule planned Jan-June 2015 (minimum 2 marathons a month), then taking off the summer. It’s 14er season in Colorado plus ya’ll know I’m not a fan of running in hot weather.

Missing Ro – will be good to be home. I miss Colorado 🙂

bib place name location time

1975 781 K R Haga Louisville, CO 4:21:28

: 13 states COMPLETED — liking my progress!

: 2014 Nov-Dec races (tan); 2015 Jan-Jun schedule (green)

Posted in Heartland, Marathons/Ultras | Leave a comment

Midwest travel adventure

Published October 18, 2014

Woke Tuesday & thought: BONUS marathon (doesn’t everyone? 🙂 )

Deadline to enter the Des Moines Marathon was Wednesday. Next thought: What to do in Iowa?

Slept on it & woke with a plan. Iowa would be all about the journey – an all-Midwest adventure! I’d travel to Des Moines via bus (to Denver), overnight train (to Omaha, Nebraska), then rental car 2 hours across Western Iowa. Perfect!

2 short runs on Wednesday & Thursday would be the only prep I could fit in – always lose a few days after marathoning (letting muscles & joints heal). Have learned to listen to my body after a full year of 26.2 race days.

Had never been to Denver’s Union Station previously – what a surprise! Unbeknownst to me, a major renovation occurred over the past 2 years – what a beautiful station! Additionally, Denver’s night life was a-happening. Lotta laughter & hand holding as I passed couples walking to some of Denver’s finest restaurants. Super impressed – go Denver!

Train conductors, comfortable seating, polite conversation, leg room, no baggage fees, no security scanners, a dining car. Riding Amtrak is like going back in time – when humans were kinder. LOVE LOVE train travel. Wish the U.S. would greatly expand our railways. I’m telling ya – if you haven’t travelled by train, you’re missing out.

Plugged in my phone (yep, that’s also possible on train) & woke 7 hours later in Lincoln – an hour from my train destination.

Taxi to the airport (to pick up a rental car), breakfast, 5 minutes later…I’m in Iowa.

An hour into the drive, detoured down a rural highway to take in the scenery. Early morning grass was still wet with heavy dew. Cornfields, farmhouses, brightly colored silos – reminiscent of Waller’s Bridges of Madison County. Truly blessed.

Discovering there’s unique beauty in each of my 50 state marathon destinations.

Race packet pick-up at the Iowa Events Center, then spent a couple hours exploring the State Historical Museum & State Capitol Building. Iowans are proud of their John Deere tractors – ‘nuf said ‘bout the museum. The Capitol Dome however was fascinating. Saturday was probably the ideal day to explore – no bureaucrats 🙂

2 hour nap, quick shower, then off to Carlisle Iowa where I had VIP tickets to a local production of Dracula – performed at historic Randleman House, a “found space” production.

A found space is a nontheatrical space — the rotunda of the state capitol, a church, warehouse, courtroom, carpenters shop – which is used for production. Typically the space is chosen because of its context to the play: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at the capitol, The Passion Play in a church, Inherit the Wind in a courtroom.

2 hour original production (currently unpublished), poetry reading during intermission and dinner – all proceeds supporting Des Moines’ local arts scene. FUN night! Conversed with many – including Carlisle’s mayor, the play’s director, playwright & cast members. Thanks Mary Sue for creating such a special night before my 13^th marathon!

What to do in Iowa? Think I found my answer. YIKES – only 6 hours sleep before race time!