Saturday, March 25, 2006

Okay, if for some reason you are on disability, go ahead and stay on the couch. A man on disability was caught training for a marathon, and he's in jail.
I just bought a men's running shirt to wear. It was the only one that fit my torso. What do you think? My next business is going to be an online running gear store, with the scope of sizes as complete as most casual clothing stores (petite, tall, etc.) Why aren't there more?

Anyway, later on today I'm going to post the first week of the two month training program in prep for May 21st. Look for it!

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Tuesday, March 21, 2006


We love Denver because we love running. What a great place to escape with a run! I am currently in Charleston, South Carolina for the week - a little Spring Break break. So what exactly have I discovered?

The south isn't set up for running.

First of all, it's hot. And, there are little trails or even trail setups for a good, long, hard run. But of course, I want to leave you with good news. Google Earth DOES know South Carolina, and does know how to recognize trails even among the rural highways of Goose Creek.

Owen and I ran a trail marked as a 4-miler, weaving through more traffic than we should for the population, but better, nice quiet trails that ask for a quiet footsteps. So, you ask, is the south unfriendly to running? I guess it depends. Austin, TX is south - but friendly to runners.

What you should remember about traveling, is that you shouldn't let messy drivers, pavement-filled runs and wild dogs get the best of you. Run even though the locals don't, and you really may start something. Or just get some funny looks, but whatever.

Sunday, March 12, 2006


Runnin' of the Green

Sometimes there's a sentiment that snow's a pain in the city. Traffic, commuting, dirty slush on your Dockers, and large patches of yellow snow makes urban snow showers less than friendly.

Yesterday morning, however, 2500 runners made it in perfect time to an early morning run before Sunday's snow showers. To me, a great run before the snow comes is as satisfying as hitting all green lights on the way down Broadway. The LoDo Runnin' of the Green 7K set off this season's races (for me anyhow) - packed with green-wigged runners, Irish music and free beer at 10:30 am.

The race started at 17th and Wazee at McCormick's. The 7K (about 4.3 miles) led us down Wazee and Blake to 20th, up past Forest Room 5 (a great wine bar) and around some Art Deco buildings before doubling back. It was cold, for sure, but only until the race energy heats those streets and speeds up your step.

What was an even better surprise was that after a long Sunday brunch, I came home, checked the results of the race and boom: they're posted! Let me tell you, for someone obsessed with times, you can see your results while the race endorphins are still fresh.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Wash-Park-Run-Web


Wash-Park-Run-Web
Originally uploaded by runtherockies.


Google Maps and You

As a runner you want me to tell you what's cool and new in the running community and hopefully as much as I can about the Front Range running culture. This, my friends is the newest old news: Perhaps you've heard of Google. (The Starbucks of Search Engines) One of the niftyest tools for runners out by big "G" is Google Earth. You can measure your runs using the Tools>Measure>Path[tab] function.

Once you get over the novelty of the fact that you have a real, live satellite at your every command, you realize that planning training and run distances is a piece of cake. Just measure them out, like I did on this run to Washington Park from my apartment.

What this image doesn't show is that a dialog box appears as you are drawing the path, updating the actual mileage. For this run, it was exactly 6.79 miles. Kinda puts that last, hard .09 miles in perspective for you. In any case, check it out and ditch your clunky heart rate monitor/GPS/calorie counter/breathalizer wrist watch, and run like no one's watching.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

I've been waiting a long time to write about Washington Park.

"Wash" park, is a pretty popular way to get about 2.8 miles in on any evening. It's completely safe, completly pebble-gravel and the trail has no surprizes, so if the sun goes down on you you don't have to chicken-foot your way in the dark. Just recently I was at Runner's Roost where they have the most popular running spots in Denver, and I was floored: they don't name Washington. The only reason for this is because Wash park needs no help finding runners to work the trails. It's already packed at times on Saturday morning.

But for you, the gung-ho runner who needs a 11:00pm fix, this is the place to go. There is only one intersection where vehicles enter the park and you've got to watch for cars. But for 2.8 miles of terrian in an urban area that's not bad.

By the way, I read in 5280 that is was voted the best place to "break up with your boy/girlfriend". Say Wha? I guess this is such a popular event that people have really thought this one out. Gotta love Denver.