Week in review 11/27 to 12/3

Sunday was our last day at the Family reunion in PA, mind you over half the people (peaked at about 70) had left the day before.  There was still some runners left but I was wanting to run a little longer than them - not that I had run much with them on previous days.  So, I got out early and did the long lap, in the opposite direction of the days before, just as I was coming back I passed the group (2 Aunts, 1 cousin) heading out to do the small loop.  So, I did my last 1/2 mile, turned around and then set out to chase them.  Never did catch them as they ended doing the short, short loop - which I never knew existed.

Never mind.  Was a good run, 11 1/2 miles all told and over 1350' elevation gain.

Off down to Philly later that day where we stayed all Monday and did a few touristy things.

Tuesday was finally time to come home.  Uneventful flight and back to sunny Colorado.  Decided to enjoy the rest of the day w/ the family.  Noticed that I had actually run 8 of the last 9 days - my body told me that 2 days rest was a good choice.

Wednesday came and almost went - managed to get out just as the sun was going down.  Fortunately remembered to bring the headlight with me.  Did 7 1/2 miles on the Santa Fe Trail - from Northgate up towards Monument and back.  Nice run.  On the way back I picked up to an 8 min per mile average - which was a little interesting (for me at least) in the dark w/ a headlight - fortunately the trails are wide and smooth.

Thursday just didn't happen.

Friday I got out early and did 6 miles in the neighborhood, brisk morning - easy pace.

Saturday ran twice, once in Cathedral Pines doing approx 3 1/4 miles.  Lots of fun in the snow on the trails for the Huff and Puff Fun Run (actually came 3rd out of about 25 people - race itself was just over 1 1/2 miles).  Later in the day - after fighting for about 3 hours with a new treadmill belt, I finally got it working.  What an episode trying to get the old one off and put on a new one.   I didn't have any clue what I was doing, found some online (sort of) instructions - which sort of helped, but only to a point.

Finally got it working, not sure if it is calibrated right but rumbled around for 2 miles on it at various speeds and elevations.  Seems to be at least similar to what it was like before with the old scrappy belt.

30 mile week.  A little inconsistent but I think was good for my knees to take some days off.  With the snow coming through I was expecting some right knee swelling issues - but that never happened.  Pleasant surprise.

Cathedral Pines Huff n Puff Fun Run

Woke up this morning and Winter was in full effect, 6+ inches of snow on the ground and wind blowing it all sideways.  So, was a great day for a run.

Was not in a hurry to get out though, 14 degrees and windchill kind of keeping me inside.  Jumped online and happened upon the Pikes Peak Road Runners Website and saw there was a 5K fun run a few miles away from me in Cathedral Pines (in Black Forest).

That would be out of the wind somewhat - eh, why not - not much else to do on a lazy, snowy Saturday.

I headed out arriving 10 minutes before race time (11 am).  Signed up, warmed up real quick.  Start was delayed about 15 minutes which helped - mostly to get used to the brisk conditions.

Was a little less breezy but plenty of snow still flying.  This was going to be fun.  No more than 25 people showed up.  At the start line we were told it was only a 1 1/2 mile course that got marked.  No biggie, I decided I'll probably do a 2nd lap.

Started at the Cathedral Pines Welcome center and wandered around some (well marked) trails.  Some slight rollers made it a little tough for those of us without much traction.  A lot of fun, I forgot to bring my watch but as I passed the finish line they called out 13:30 something.

I kept going and did another lap with the winner of the race.  He told me he had clocked 1.6 miles for the first lap.  On the second lap the snow had stopped falling, was still breezy - but running in the snow is a blast.

Took only 2 photos - one before the race start, one shortly after I did my 2nd lap.

Family problems

I know, this is supposed to be a running blog - and here I am venting about my family issues.
The final straw however has fallen, or bubble has broken, or whatever the saying goes.  With Christmas approaching, this is supposed to be a happy time of the year.  I mean you go to a Mall or watch TV and 9 out of 10 places you go or see things - it's Christmas music, Christmas sales, Christmas TV specials.

Even my home country of New Zealand celebrates Christmas.


Well, Christmas has been the furtherest from my mind, instead - today I have decided to be a little vulnerable and share my "family problems".  I'm not going to seek a counselor for it, this Blog will be my therapy point.  Maybe what is happening and what happened today to send me over the edge is a result of not getting enough rest.  Or the kids getting the day off school (due to snow) and me still going in to work.  Or maybe it is because I'm a so called "middle aged man" with a wife and 3 kids who all are great looking, smart, healthy - and I am weathered and often cranky, probably unbearable at times to them. 

Sure I'm jealous - I mean, look at them.  No don't, cause you can't.  I don't want to really post photos of my family online for fear of the prettyness of my girls, my handsome son, my beautiful wife, falling into the hands or eyes of some creepy online trawler.  My family is "eye-candy"  I, not so much. 


I get home at the end of the day today - having forgotten to take my running gear with me to sneak in a run sometime during the day - so that is 3 days this week that I have not run.  But, I'm tired anyway and used it as an excuse, even with the snow and falling temparatures.  I'm hungry.  I'm not in the mood to do much of anything.  I walk in the door and are met with a family from.......


The Christmas Tree is up.  The girls have made a bunch of Christmas cookies.  There's food on the table.  There's my children giggling and playing nice together.  My wife has the house looking great.

I'm spoiled.  The problem with my family is: I don't deserve them.  But with that being said, I'm gonna keep them.  You who have families - you probably think they are the best.  You are probably right.  However, you keep yours.  I'm keeping mine.

Beginning to look like C O

To the tune of "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"....

While it's lovely to get up and go,

to travel far with the family in tow,

for a reunion that's much of a show,

and time just ticks by so slow

So when it is time to finally come home,

waking up so early we all groan

but we catch our plane flight

and fly 3 hours to the sight.....

.....Of the mountains all aglow

capped with all the goodness of snow

We all may be tired and cranky

it's early to bedtime quite frankly

then we wake up so early

look outside and and it's blurry

Snowing - no school for the boy and 2 girlies



It's nice to be home in Colorado