Yes, I Am a Counselor

I won’t say it was easy because that would be a lie, but I will say it was one of my most favorite runs ever.

I bet it would be one of your favorites too. Come on out and I’ll take you along, but no excessive whining.  Unlimited and uncensored cussing is okay and if you need to run into the bushes due to your fibrous breakfast and coffee I will not make fun of you. Hell, I’ll probably join you.

Walker Ranch Loop outside of Boulder, CO - 7.5 miles (takes ~1.5+ hours):

Things started out well enough, but as Joie and I descended and descended and descended into a canyon, we both knew the only way back to the car would be major climbing. We repeated this exchange a lot on the rapid way down:

Joie: We’re going to pay for this

Me: Shit. The climb up is going to suck.

We trail hit bottom at the roaring Boulder Creek:

We then started the ascent back up:

That’s right, straight up some stairs. Yes, we did run this which hurt quite a bit. I almost stepped on a baby rattlesnake. Or, that’s what I think it was but I’m really no snake expert. He’s so cute my milk came in. Well, not really.

The trail seemed to climb forever, and I guess it did because this was 1,600 feet of elevation gain. The elevation profile says it all:

Look carefully and you can see where we came from (that trail way down there):

We both agreed this was one of the tougher runs we have done. But, who doesn’t love a good challenge and that feeling of accomplishment you get when you’ve done something that really pushed you HARD into your uncomfortable zone?

You bet I got in the car and wolfed down a gallon of water and one of these:

I like these because I am really eating a candy bar but calling it an energy bar seems healthier.

Exciting news bulletin: I got home just in time to be interviewed by the New York Times.  They are writing a pre-NYC Marathon article about marathoners who are plagued by GI issues while running marathons. Who else did they think to come to but the “poop counselor,” as they called me. I guess they saw my post “How to Not Crap Your Pants on the Run” and decided I was so full of shit I could provide some insight.  Look for the article some time next week.

Do you enjoying climbing and hills or do you think they are just a pain in the ass and not worth it? I like climbing, for some reason. I am the same way on my bike. Give me a mountain and I will want to find my way up it. It’s the biggest sense of accomplishment.

What’s your immediate post-run snack? (Like something you keep in your car always, etc?): I love the Triple Threat Bar or something along those lines. Chocolate milk is good too, but I don’t have that in car with me at all times.

SUAR