This weekend, somehow, I was able to get in about 11 miles of running. It was assisted greatly by the help of PowerGel. And, the gel is a beautiful thing.

A few of us went to knighthawk's hockey game this afternoon, and from the enclosed window of the spectator cage, we all saw the caffinated 100 calories work their magic on the ice. So, I guess it works on iceskates too. I usually eat half a package before most runs, for a perk, and a whole one before the race. Although GU and Powergel are some of my favorites, Honey Stinger and CarbBoom are also good. Rissilicious loves the HoneyStingers because they're more appropriate for a vegan athlete, and GU is a favorite with triathletes. But, with a name like GU, you've got that curiousity factor feeding your orbiting athletes. Many "Energy Drinks" like RedBull have the same effect on the system as these gels. But why drink more fluid to get the same effect? Choice, I'll guess. Kind of reminds me of the beer-drinker verses the Shot-putter.

Since I'm not running a marathon this fall, I've decided to run a few smaller races with risslicious, langston, buzzcut, knighthawk, trudy and possible others. Those races are here:

1. Run for Literacy
2. Silent Trails Memorial Race
3. Rim Rock Run

Run for Literacy: 7 miles. I have no clue what this race will be like, but I gotta get out to Steamboat, since, well, I've never been there. Tho Steamboat is conversationally worked as a summertime gem, I think September will have to do. Plus, I think the beer fest is going on...er, I mean the Art Fest - I just love a nice, cold tall frothy piece of artwork.

Silent Trails Memorial Race: 10 miles. I ran this in 2003 with langston. The scenery is magnificent, and the race is small enough that "runner's camraderie" shines through both pre-race events and post-race endorphins. I will say, that in training for this one, you'll need hill workouts. What's called the "Death Crotch" at mile 4 is not a joke. It's one mile of steep, lung-breaking work. Most people hike it. Even the ranking age groupers. The time/and season make it *$%#&^*& freezing in WY, so bring your electric legwarmers. Or maybe just gloves and a hat.

Rim Rock Run: 22.3 miles. I ran this last year, and it was by far the most scenic race ever. It dances around the Rim of the Colorado Monument on softer asphalt roads. The busride was a little bit of a pain (last year I nearly missed gun-time) but the end of the race you are amazingly close to your nice, fast, warm little car. You run to the top of the monument then follow the loping flat granite-sculpted park for the next 16 or so miles. Then you take a few miles to sink back down and break the tape in a lower elevation. If you plan on whining on the hill climb, just wait, because running downhill is the real challenge. Constant quad-braking gets tiring (but, in a good way.) Aid stations have contests where they celebrate every 4th mile with flare, energy, gummy bears, and GU for your post-race vote. FYI: They have 3 kegs of good beer at the end of the race. That's what I'm talkin' about.

"The many proponents of diets like Atkins and South Beach would have the public believe that carbohydrate is some kind of poison. Don't listen to them. Carbo's are a runner's best friend."

-Jason Karp, Marathon and Beyond Mag.

And, kids I agree. The article, appearing in the July/August version went on to get reeeally scientific and kind of bony. Dry and Bony. But that's the point! Runner's are not bony, skinny people. Nor should they strive to be. If you're going to run around the trails and roads essentially pounding your body into cement, gravel, asphalt....ya gotta have muscles to support your bones. So, the fuel tank for muscles is stored in your blood and liver, in yes, the form of a carbohydrate. Avoiding carbs is not for you. So, long story short; You didn't pick up the trend of legwarmers, polyester buttondowns, or Aquanet bangs (or DID you!!) when they emerged again in the fashion industry a year ago, so don't fall for this one. Speaking of carbohydrates, margaritas have carbs. mmmm, margs.

Walker Ranch Loop:

7.6 miles round trip on singletrack; difficult; moderate to extreme; 1000 feet elevation; too steep for strollers but not steep enough for beer. Starts from Flagstaff road in Boulder about 3 miles from where your 150 cc scooter, or 2 cylinder Korena car chug up Flagstaff mountain. Speaking of chugging...

I warn you folks that I got lost on this trail - granted it was winter and the snow covered the trail. There is little to no traffic on the surrounding roads, which can get you praying or singing "Welcome to the Jungle" - To be quite honest this trail swallowed me whole so what the heck am I doing posting it?? I'm a softie for the the trails that give you a cool view the whole time - and it does. No special browsers needed for the moving graphics of the trail either. Oh yeah.

Ran and rode yesterday. A broken spoke stopped the ride at mile 10 for a turnaround. Now, what I want to know is what caused it?

I'm looking at classes to take for Fall; I've already got a full schedule but the problem is, that I'm thinking of going right into a Master's. I applied for the Peace Corps in the beginning of the summer, and now it's a matter of waiting to see if my plan of action is acceptable. I requested the Island of Truk in the Marianas islands. Everyone else wants to go there so I'm wondering how marvelous and outstanding an idea for economic development they consider some undergrad from Colorado - yeah me.

In any case, I'm collecting the stack of Calvin and Hobbes I'll take. Dad gave me a German version one of C & H mini books, so that will take a while to translate. I wonder if it will be as funny? Are the jokes embedded in wienerschnitzel and 99 luft balloons?

Big Dry Creek Trail:

9 Miles one-way; easy terrain; minimal elevation change; trail starts at North Stanley Lake Open Space park on about 100th and Simms ave.

A short bikeride this morning confirmed the runnability of this trail. Good for people with strollers, but, well, it's in Westminister so prepare for vicious and often brutal suburbia. If you live around there, then, it's probably perfect distance to your lair and you are vicious.

So, about running. I put up a website this semester for a Web Design class. What's probably not obvious about the site is that it's not in CSS. But I'm in the process of reading a co-worker's own blog reccomendation on "The Art and Science of Web Design" so we'll see if I can wrestle out a few good reasons to learn CSS.

But again, about running. I'm piling on about 12 miles a week in 4 segments, and loading the 'ole feet up with some ground action. What's probably not obvious is that I am pretty out of shape at the moment. 12 miles a week is really not very much, but it seems like a lot. Anyhow, to supplement the endless supply of keyboards and ergonomic chair workouts, I thought I'd try for a final submission to running and philosophy book that's brewing over in Kentucky. I submitted an abstract for a 19 page essay about the 26 miles in a marathon compared to the 26 years of [my] life, but it seems too....much like a memoir. I can, only write about my own marathon experience unless I run around with a microphone and interview the experiences among my friends. So, the quickest answer is that I am going to edit what I have to focus more on the reader's experience. But that's more writing eval jive than I meant...

So, about running. Hell, I just love it. When else do you feel more alive then when running and breathing for the obvious reason of having fun.

So, what are the top three most commonly bought commodities? (Non-perishable, traded domestically and internationally)

Went to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. The movie stays hilarious - I love it! "It's just a flesh wound!"" "A shrubbery!"

So does the use of RV's mean you've given in? John told me today that if you buy an RV for a vacation, you might as well buy a rocker and a tombstone. That my parents just bought an RV to visit me in Colorado with doesn't sit well with "tombstone" - but I have to disagree with him, because I'm glad they are RVing it because well, they are hitting late 50's; brats and beer over the campfire, somehow, just doesn't fit. Speaking of Brats, here is how to make them with beer.

My friend Kelly asked me if ruby earrings or a trip to Amsterdam were equal in birthday pleasantry. WHAT?? Kell-bone, if you ask me, the trip to Amsterdam is by far the best choice, given one. But then again, your friends can whoo a set of earrings but not necessarily your collection of pictures of pseudo-Cheech and Chong and whatever else Amsterdam is known for. Anyone else been to Amsterdam?

Nonetheless here's Kelly and I in Charleston, SC:

I think this last couple of weeks has been the longest I've taken off running in more than a year. While I miss it, I've adaquatly replaced running with a few late nights. I feel like even more than ever though, I actually want to run these last few days. Anyhow, long story: time off is good.

My aunt Becky (we share the same first and last name) is going into the hospital for a procedure requiring general anesthesia - and apparently they won't let you leave the hospital until you can pee. So, I think I'm going to call her Monday afternoon and fill up the bathtub, or water the lawn or something. She doesn't like hospitals!! My youngest cousin Matthew is at his boys camp now, playing cowboys and indians apparently. He, Becky and Dan came to visit last August and Matthew moved around on the rocks like a 9-year old spiderman.

I miss Winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer's great, but we want want isn't here. Fall is grreat. I love the leaves, the colors and it's a little bit cold....Plus, buzzcut has just informed me that I'm an Orange and Green in the theory of personalities ratings. Orange for "fun-loving" and Green for "I like to think" - Those of you who know me can probably vouch for or against those! :)

Today, I have been looking for a place to host a site. I researched and found www.bluehost.com praise-friendly but when I signed up it automatically charged my card $166.00! Holy crap that's a chunk, so I canceled the order. There's GOT to be something for less!

Anyone?