Bergen Peak Hike and Weekly Recap

The past week of workouts went pretty well!

Monday: AM swim – 1250 meters

Tuesday: Ran 3 miles on Treadmill but felt really slow

Wednesday: Spin for 45 min + Yoga

Thursday: AM swim – 1000meter + Boston run à Jen kept up the pace, so it felt good to go a bit faster

Friday: 30 min spin + 10 min Ellip

Sat: 5.5 mi run – this was two parts plus 6 mi bike ride to REI

Part #1 was a loop around Wash Park but then saw a dog on the loose and that took over! Second part was the last 2.75 miles and showed my friend Pete around the neighborhood

Sunday: 9 mi hike – Bergen Peak – SLUSHY

Monday: REST – was thinking I’d get up for a swim but I was beat…I’ll make it up tomorrow!

Totals: Run - 13 miles, Swim - 2250 meters, Bike - 23 miles, Other - Yoga & Ellip

Other highlights from the week:

• Salads for dinner! Made 3 great salads last week for dinner

Strawberries, Feta, Grilled Chicken, Spinach Salad + Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette

•  More snow for Denver

and it is snowing again...I'd say April snowiest so far!

• Saturday day out in Denver!

One of the great bike paths in Denver - biking to REI

Nuggets playoff game! We won!

Bergen Peak Hike!

Sunday was a great day to be out! Kelsey and I had been planning on doing South Boulder Peak, but after some research this week, the peak was closed due to fire last year and the other peak, Bear Peak, was icy and heavily covered in snow. So, instead, we decided to do Bergen Peak in Evergreen which AA and I did a few months ago. It was 8.8 miles RT and 2,023 ft gain. My friend Pete from college was visiting so he joined as well as the 3 pups! AA had rock training elsewhere in Evergreen for Alpine :-)

Route up Bergen!

We met at the Dino lots at 10 AM and quickly made it to the TH and easily found a spot. We parked off Stagecoach where the dog park is. I know it can be crowded, but we didn’t have any problems. One big debate was whether or not to bring snow shoes, we didn’t, but it was helpful to have yak traks.

Below is the elevation profile. For 4.4 miles to the top, it is steep in some parts, and just seems long in others! We were all dragging a little bit and stopped at a little over 2 miles for a snack. I had a banana and it was nice to sit down. Pete came from sea level so he wanted a little breather, although he was doing great! The trail to this point wasn’t awful, packed snow, and what not. But the next 2+ miles to the top was slushy, slushy, slushy! The trail had some nice overlooks and was very pretty. Time to the top was 2 hours 20 minutes. Note: once you think you are at the top you have to go an additional 1/10^th a mile over the radio tower to get to the sign!

Elevation Profile

We ate lunch QUICK and scurried down because we had dinner plans. The way down was way worse, a lot of the packed snow from earlier had melted and it was super wet and slushy. Luckily my boots did great the whole day, very happy with them. We didn’t stop at all and made it down in 1 hour, 50 min – the slush definitely slowed us down as I was worried about twisting my ankle!

The trail was sparse – only saw about a dozen people but I’m sure as the trails dries up it will definitely be more crowded! Great day out in the hills :-)

Ells Bells!

Kels and I!

Dogs of Bergen Peak

PS don’t forget sunscreen :-)

Most elevation on mile 3

Wrapping my Head Around Boston

I’ve struggled writing this post because of the events of last weekend’s Boston Marathon Bombings. While I may not have run a marathon, or run Boston – it still hit close to home. I think this attack was personal for a lot of people. For those of us who run, it hit home because we can’t imagine someone would ever want to cause harm during a race. If you aren’t a runner, chances are you either knew someone running, or perhaps knew someone in the city that day. It was very personal for a lot of people. I still can't imagine that it happened, and hope that it brings everyone a little bit closer together and not to lose faith or courage.

Feel free to skip this section – its very detailed…

Being from the east coast, and going to college in RI – half my friends were from Massachusetts and half moved to Boston after graduation. Patriots Day and Marathon Monday were ALWAYS a big deal, and one that I heard nothing but the best about. Last year I was tracking one of my best friends and her fiancé as they braved the heat and ran the race. This year, I saw all the excitement across facebook as a few friends prepared for the race and others just enjoyed the festivities. My jaw hit the ground when I first heard of the attacks. A lot of my co-workers didn’t immediately understand the spectacle that is Marathon Monday. How the entire city shuts down, how it is an event for all, how runners say the best part of the race is that fans cover the ENTIRE 26.2 miles and cheer you on the whole way. I couldn’t wrap my head around who would do this? Why? How? I immediately texted all my friends and everyone was OK.

Monday night I had dinner with my friend who had run Boston last year and it was a different mood for dinner than usual. We couldn’t keep our eyes off the coverage, we exchanged stories and luckily everyone we knew was fine. We kept discussing how horrible it was. Bombing the finish line? The best part of the race for a runner, the most tiring, but the most rewarding! So many runners for Boston may not BQ but they run for charity and raise thousands of dollars. Last year they were given the choice to defer a year because of the weather…that morning she wished she had!

The horror continued as I was awoken Friday morning from a slew of texts from my college roommates. I know when there are that many texts, that early in the morning, it is the FF wishing everyone a happy Friday or just random thoughts. I jumped out of bed when I read the text of lockdown, sirens, door to door searches. One of my roommates was blocks away from the chaos and was locked in her home with her husband in Watertown. I watched the news coverage as long as I could before I had to go to work, couldn’t peel my eyes away from whatever update I could find at work and from her texts. Friday afternoon I went straight home and just wanted to watch the coverage. I was so happy when they finally captured suspect #2 and a big sigh of relief for everyone in Boston.

I didn’t know how to exactly write what I was feeling, nor was I really sure what I was feeling or how to cope with it or what I could even do. I read that some other bloggers were doing tribute runs so I asked my friend who ran the race last year, to run a 4.09 mile run to tribute Boston since the bombings went off when the marathon clock read 4 hours 9 minutes. We met Thursday during lunch and did our small part. Some weird things:

1. First song to play as I ran to meet Jen – “Shipping up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
2. The song REPLAYED 2 songs later, even though I was on a 100 song playlist shuffle
3. We crossed the road “Boston Street”
4. Another song by Vampire Weekend called “ Ladies of Cambridge” came on with the lyrics I've had dreams of Boston all of my life

It isn’t anything big, but it made me feel a little more connected and time to reflect on it.

4.09 miles

Boston Street, Greenwood Village, CO

Moving Things Around and Hiking Begins!

Sometimes I struggle with what detail to write this blog! I could go on and on about the hectic trip to NYC/CT – but instead I’ll try to boil it down

1- Even though it was a long and sort of out of the way trip, it was great to spend the entire weekend with the bride to be and all the bridesmaids and I am glad we went the extra effort to make it happen!

Hanging out on the terrace at the hotel!

2- You never know who around you is focused on fitness so always be on the look out. I firmly believe that if your peers, friends, and family are finding time for fitness and staying active you are MUCH more likely

Case in point #1 – While in Connecticut, I was worried about getting up early to run, and looking like a party pooper. LUCKILY as we were getting ready for bed, I heard another girl tell the Bride to Be she was going to get up and run! SCORE! We chatted quickly about our plans, about how we both use MyFitnessPal, and how we were both glad someone else had the same thing in mind. It is great when you find people trying to fit in fitness! Luckily no one was on a time schedule and everyone was planning on sleeping in and I was able to get up and do a 4 mile run! PS – Love running at sea level :-)

So I wouldn't get lost - of course I did :-)

Case in point #2 – While at the gym on Friday, I realized I am lucky to work in the department that I do. My coworker who sits right next me, religiously goes to the gym as well, which in turn makes me more motivated for the gym. We actually went at the same time and did the spin bikes together – it helps for some extra motivation. ALSO – my VP and another person in the department run every-single-day during lunch – at least 5 miles. If the VP can find time to run, so can I! I love it :-) This transcends to social circles, and back the bachelorette weekend where I was extra motivated when I knew someone else was running. I hope that by me working out, losing weight, and becoming so much healthier – friends and family will see anyone can do it and try it more often, too! 


Case in point #3 - One day this week as I was opening the door to our floor at work, a women stopped me and asked what I had done at the gym. She proceeded to ask what my normal workouts were, etc. Later she also asked if I "skipped the treats" at work (because another department always has something yummy and unhealthy out on the table...I said yes...because I know I won't be able to resist later at home, so at least I can resist then!). I told my coworker (referenced above) who later saw this women at the gym. The women told her, "You and A look great I figured I should do what you do!". I wrote her a brief email about my habits, nutrition, etc - I think she appreciated it! 

OK...I do have treats if I bring them in - cake pops for 2 birthdays at work Thursday

 Weekly Recap:

Monday – REST – had planned swimming and yoga – was not happening after too much fun in NYC

Tuesday – 3 mi speed run on treadmill and 1000 m swim
On paper it seems like an easy switch – but moved around the schedule to fit in swimming…still feeling tired at this point during the week 

Wash Park! Leaving swimming

Wednesday – 40 min spinning at work (~9mi) + Yoga

Thursday – AM swim 1000m + 4 mile run outside at work
This run was hard, even before 2 miles I was really tired – my lungs were not cooperating. I powered through though with about a 10:30 pace.

Friday – Got GREAT sleep last night, I really needed it. 40 min spin (~9 miles) during lunch

Weekend Outlook:

Sat – Hike!!! Hooray, so excited to get out there. AA and I are being a little ambitious – plan is to hike Ben Tyler Trail to Kenosha Ridge. It is 11.5 miles RT and 3,500’ gain with an estimated time of 5-7 hours. It is only about 1 hr from the house and a lower starting elevation of 8,500’ so there won’t be as much snow as in the high country. We’ll see how we do, even if we don’t make it the whole way we are excited to get out there! 

Update!! We already hiked! I did not get to post this last night...
AA's alpine buddy Nate came along with us, and the pups, on the hike! We were on the trail head by 7:30 AM. The first 2 miles were great, but then the trail started to be covered in snow! By mile 4 we were 'post-holing' (aka you break through the snow to your knees or hips) so it was very tiring, slow, and frustrating. Unfortunately we didn't bring our snow shoes (which were in the car) so we turned around. It was still a great 8 mile trip and probably around 2,000-2,500' gain. I forgot my watch charger at work so I can not download the map yet!

AA and I on Ben Tyler Trail!

Practicing Map Skills!

Pups tired! AA post-holing + Ellie floating! Beg of trail clear!

Sat night we have a going away party for my really good friend :-( She moved out to Denver a few months before I did, and is a big reason I got motivated to run! I don’t wanna think about that yet.

Sunday –HOPEFULLY get in a run! I have to come in to work for a while unfortunately so we’ll see how it goes! I’d love to get in 5-6 miles in.

Weekly Totals:

Run – 7 so far, hopefully 12!
Bike – 2 days of 40 min spinning, probably around 16-18 miles
Swim – 1000m
Other – Hike and Yoga!

How are you motivated?

What are your favorite cross training exercises?

Raynauds…what!? and Weekly Recap!

So about 2 months, right before I was leaving town for a ski weekend, two of my finger tips turned white and went tingly! This lasted for about 10 minutes and then they turned blue. I had NO idea what was happening! Luckily I didn’t think about it much since I was busy for the whole weekend. However, about a week later it happened again! Then, it kept happening and more frequently. Sometimes one finger, sometimes four, sometimes left hand, sometimes right. Here’s my finger one day on the light rail on the way home from work. I wish I had taken more pics!

White, can't feel finger and tingly!

Blue, blood returns, feeling again!

So I started researching it, and I wasn’t coming up with anything good – except that blood couldn’t get to my finger tips so it turns white and tingly and then when the blood goes back it turns blue and you regain feeling. I was freaking myself out I was diabetic and was going to lose my fingers. After one of my many searches, I can across another runners blog with the same symptoms and she said it was Raynauds! So I started googling Raynauds and running and came across other blogs and forums with lots of people this happens to! Especially when it is cold, your fingers (and sometimes toes) don’t get circulation and get white and tingly and loose feeling. After weeks, Aaron finally convinced me to go to the doctor after it happened twice in one week. I had been delaying going, and I was trying to form a pattern when it would happen. After chocolate? After a walk? Always after work?

I told the doc my symptoms, without leading on I did my internet research and thought it was Raynauds. The first thing she suggested was Raynauds Disease! So we did some blood work to rule out any autoimmune ‘stuff’ causing it and everything came back fine. So at this point, it is just more of a nuisance. I have to keep an eye on it in case it becomes more frequent or happens for longer. But really, nothing is wrong. Hopefully with spring and summer on its way, it won’t happen as often. Although it did happen on my walk to yoga last night, and it was so nice out!

So on to the fun stuff!

You may remember my awesome motivational calendar to kick-start tri training. So far, the week has gone fairly well according to schedule! 

Planned schedule for this week

Sunday – 4.5 mile run – still felt really hard, but got did my Wash Park route in between Easter cooking chaos and it was great to get out

Monday – AM: 750m swim – yay pool!
PM: Yoga – Pigeon pose is NOT my friend. Sometimes I feel like I am really good at yoga, and then someone throws in a pose involving my hamstrings…those guys are NOT flexible (yet :-) )

Tuesday – 3 miles hill/speed training on treadmill. I couldn’t do as big of an incline or as fast as before race/giving blood – but feeling better each time.

Wednesday – Lunch: 40 minute spin – use ‘indoor cycling’ app and I love it!
PM: Yoga - Raynauds after I walked there… 

Ready, set, spin!

Thursday – AM: 1000m swim – planned was 750m but felt good so I kept going!
PM – Wash Park Run after work – 65, sunny and gorgeous – I love Denver! This was a very mental run. 2 laps, 5 miles. It hurt, it was hard, but I knew I had to just keep going! I'm so glad I did :-) Came home and AA had cooked some amazing steaks, with asparagus and quinoa! YUM!

Post 5 miler today!

Weekend Outlook!

Bachelorette Party in NYC – oh boy! I’m a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s wedding from high school this summer so this weekend we are all meeting in NYC. Luckily my other bf lives in Denver so we are traveling together. BUT that means a big damper on my training! Normally I like to fit it my fitness, but with 12 other girls (that I don’t know) I may feel intimated to go throw on my running shoes (and more likely won’t feel like it). So I’m hoping for maybe a short 3 mile run at some point. Maybe a quick bike ride before the plane tomorrow?


Does anyone else have Raynauds? Is it more common than I knew?

How do you fit in training during a weekend away with friends?