6.20.2012 Running (up a Mountain)

The Workout: Run my ass off.

Prior to the trip up to Winter Park, I was really looking forward to putting in some good efforts up here.  Little did I know that altitude would have such a negative effect.  I knew it would be difficult, but not like this.

Today was our last full day up here and my last chance to really put in an effort that I was proud of. I was headed out to the normal trail we had ran (Fraser River Trail) because I knew it and I was just going to give it all I had and try to put in 4 or 5 miles at a respectable pace.

Well... on my way out there I took a different route to warm up.  I walked through the little village area of Winter Park Resort to scout out some shops that I'd be visiting later in the day.  I came around one of the buildings and it just opened up to a spectacular view up the mountain.  I was immediately inspired to run it.  


I asked the guy operating the lift if there was a trail close that I could run on.  He pointed to a little path of dirt not more than about 13 inches wide and said it zig-zags all the way up to the top of the Zephyr Lift.

Sweet!

After starting Endo, sending a Glympse, and turning Pandora to my Skillet station, I was off.

At first I was charging up with a fury, but all too soon the lack of oxygen caught up with me and I was forced to slow it down.  Way down.  I had to walk for a bit.  I kept up a brisk pace walking and ran when I could.  I was giving 100% so it was all I could do.  Just keep moving up the mountain.  I was loving it!  Every once in a while I'd look back and see how much smaller the village below me looked, it was really rewarding.  This was the kind of run I was hoping for in Colorado!  I ended up ascending right around 1,000 ft.

I had told Meagan I'd be out for about 30 minutes (we were going out soon after I got back so I couldn't take much longer).  I hit 22 minutes and figured I should turn back.  I had taken a few photos on the way up, I wanted to take a video, but it would have been pretty boring and slow.  So, now on my way down I got out my phone, hit record, and began my descent.  It was WAY more fun than the ascent! A little scary at times, but definitely more fun.  What took me 22 minutes to climb only took me 11 minutes to get down.  My thighs were burning and were on the verge of cramping by the time I got down to the bottom.  I wanted to go at least 3 miles so I kept running on a service road until I hit that.

Here's the Endo info and a video of the descent.  It might make you motion sick or it may be boring to watch, I'm not sure.  I apologize for the shots of my shorts, I was trying to get the trail as I was going over it.  Apparently I'm not such a great running videographer.  It starts in a bunch of trees, but I'm not in there for long.  It soon opens up to be able to see down the mountain.  The video is also quite shaky since I'm just holding the phone in my hand.  It may not be worth much but I figured I'd include it anyways.