I’ve been hanging about in the Four Corners area of Colorado and Utah. Acting like a renegade and running on some of the iconic mountain bike trails, leaving footprints rather than tire tracks. You’ll never catch me, Copper!
Slickrock in Moab, Utah was like running on concrete. Concrete that was uneven, off camber, steep up, steep down, or any combination of all of those. Oh, and a total kick in the Hokas. I hit the trailhead bright and early in order to beat any crowds there might be on a random Thursday in October. Watching the sun rise over the fantastic rock formations was quite a sight. The route is clearly marked with paint on the rock, and even after the season, quite easy to see and follow. Ostensibly, this and my subsequent runs are supposed to be preludes to race day next weekend, but I truly suck, and the views are too spectabulous not to stop and take photos. Race day on the 16th is going to be a suck fest if I try to run fast even mildly competitively. So I am going to adhere to my own advice and “Run when I can, walk when I cannot, and enjoy my time on the trail.”
Slickrock in Moab, Utah was like running on concrete. Concrete that was uneven, off camber, steep up, steep down, or any combination of all of those. Oh, and a total kick in the Hokas. I hit the trailhead bright and early in order to beat any crowds there might be on a random Thursday in October. Watching the sun rise over the fantastic rock formations was quite a sight. The route is clearly marked with paint on the rock, and even after the season, quite easy to see and follow. Ostensibly, this and my subsequent runs are supposed to be preludes to race day next weekend, but I truly suck, and the views are too spectabulous not to stop and take photos. Race day on the 16th is going to be a suck fest if I try to run fast even mildly competitively. So I am going to adhere to my own advice and “Run when I can, walk when I cannot, and enjoy my time on the trail.”
In addition to running here, I’ve met up with family I haven’t seen in a long-ass time. This has exceeded all my expectations. I’ve reconnected with a couple of nieces, and their husbands. They’ve always been good kids, but shit, now they’re good adults. I look at what they are doing, and can’t help but be happy with how well and happy they are. Both of them, and their mom, have embraced the West Slope rural life in the country. Raising and growing a substantial amount of the food they eat is complemented by buying locally sourced the things they don’t. My initial thoughts years ago of moving here are completely validated. The only drawback to that is I still hold out hope for a female companion, and those are really in pretty short supply. At least those that I find interesting. Maybe if I extended my range to Durango? Useless speculation at this point, as I’m on the move in two days to the Front Range to end the road trip, and begin the true expedition.
More highlights were meeting up with an old college roommate and a brother. Timing was good as my old roomie is on his way to a new place as well. Best of luck, Keith! I hope my brother is on his way to a new place too. Not geographical, but physically, and mentally. Best of luck to you too, Mike! I hope you can get there – and stay!
Meanwhile, enjoy the photos of beauty and fun I simply could not capture with a camera.
More highlights were meeting up with an old college roommate and a brother. Timing was good as my old roomie is on his way to a new place as well. Best of luck, Keith! I hope my brother is on his way to a new place too. Not geographical, but physically, and mentally. Best of luck to you too, Mike! I hope you can get there – and stay!
Meanwhile, enjoy the photos of beauty and fun I simply could not capture with a camera.
Also managed to spot some evidence of wildlife. Fresh juvenile lion print, and the spider had better running form than I did as he passed my on the trail. I wasn’t having my best run.
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