A few weeks back I got super excited about this race in Colorado and despite not being sure I could afford to travel, I signed up. I figured worst case scenario I would get to try out cold weather camping. I tried to run pretty conservative at Crown King because I really wanted at a good day at Running Up for Air Colorado.
I wanted to leave early on Thursday morning. I got a sub for my class at the community college and even skipped my favorite yoga teacher’s class. I was up at 5am and we were out the door at 6:15am. Norm and I took Rhasta with us so the kids wouldn't have to deal with the Rhasta/Hank situation. We had a 13 hour drive to Evergreen, CO and I didn't want to get there in the middle of the night. We always end up getting someplace super late with no time to go shopping so we wake up in the morning with no coffee or food. My idea of hell.
We stopped in Bluff, Utah at Sand Island. I needed to get some miles done and I had always wanted to stop there. It isn't exactly big enough for a decent run, but it was super cool. I ran down a road and down toward the river. I was able to go under the highway to the other side. On this side there was a dirt road to run on, but I didn't go very far because I wasn’t sure if it was private property or not. I headed back to where I came from and passed where we had parked down a road that lead to campsites. At the ends of this road there was a trail. It was a nice smooth trail that took me past some petroglyphs. I think this is the first time I have seen real petroglyphs. It was so cool. Here is this thing created so many years ago and you are looking at it. Plus how cool is it to think there were people living here. It was this moment of feeling tiny and insignificant but at the same time totally connected. I ran down to the water again and through the water. Slow running and not much distance, but a ton of fun. Rhatsa, still not a huge fan of Norm, was not thrilled I left her with him but they walked a bit and played in the water.
I wanted to leave early on Thursday morning. I got a sub for my class at the community college and even skipped my favorite yoga teacher’s class. I was up at 5am and we were out the door at 6:15am. Norm and I took Rhasta with us so the kids wouldn't have to deal with the Rhasta/Hank situation. We had a 13 hour drive to Evergreen, CO and I didn't want to get there in the middle of the night. We always end up getting someplace super late with no time to go shopping so we wake up in the morning with no coffee or food. My idea of hell.
We stopped in Bluff, Utah at Sand Island. I needed to get some miles done and I had always wanted to stop there. It isn't exactly big enough for a decent run, but it was super cool. I ran down a road and down toward the river. I was able to go under the highway to the other side. On this side there was a dirt road to run on, but I didn't go very far because I wasn’t sure if it was private property or not. I headed back to where I came from and passed where we had parked down a road that lead to campsites. At the ends of this road there was a trail. It was a nice smooth trail that took me past some petroglyphs. I think this is the first time I have seen real petroglyphs. It was so cool. Here is this thing created so many years ago and you are looking at it. Plus how cool is it to think there were people living here. It was this moment of feeling tiny and insignificant but at the same time totally connected. I ran down to the water again and through the water. Slow running and not much distance, but a ton of fun. Rhatsa, still not a huge fan of Norm, was not thrilled I left her with him but they walked a bit and played in the water.
Rhasta enjoying Sand Island in Bluff, UT.
I can't keep track of this whole time change thing so when we got back in the car I was totally confused. How could it have taken me so long to run such a short distance? But I realized it was a time difference when I saw my phone and car displayed different times. We stopped in Moab for coffee and we were back on the road.
I don't remember how this happened, but when we got to Grand Junction I realized there was bad weather on Vail Pass. We stopped at a park to let Rhasta walk around and figure out what was going on. In a matter of a few minutes it went from bad weather to Vail Pass is closed with no estimated time for reopening. I call Enzo and ask him to look at a weather map. His response, “you know all of Colorado, yeah it's all getting snowed on.” Great. We considered different routes. All would add like 5 hours to our drive time. We decided to buy snow chains and head towards Vail. We stop at Wal-mart, no chains. I call the auto part store and yes, they have them. The guy asks what size my tires are? “Uhm…teeny tiny,” I reply. We eat Chipotle and go buy snow chains. I tell Norm not to spend a lot of money because we could just stay in a hotel in Grand Junction and finish the drive on Friday morning. I guess we have different ideas of what a lot of money is because snow chains cost us $75. Which isn’t really a lot of money, but it is if you live in Phoenix and never see snow. As we leave Grand Junction I keep thinking, “we should return those and stay in a hotel.” But instead of saying something, I quietly seethe from the passenger seat. We keep driving.
I’m not sure why Norm didn't put the chains on when we stopped outside Vail for gas, but he didn’t. We are on I-70 and we pass the chain up area and see the sign that flashes when you need to chain up. Norm says, “We waited too long.” I don’t know what he means by we? I don't even want to be part of this situation. Norm pulls over on the side of highway. Here we are freezing our ass off on the side of the highway trying to learn how to put chains on the tire in the dark. Oh, did I forget to mention that neither of us has any idea how to do this? After trying and getting really frustrated Norm gets back in the car. I point out a u-turn spot for emergency vehicles right ahead and we decided to u-turn and go back Vail to try to figure this out.
We park on the side of the road in Vail, which is not amusing to the citizens of Vail and Norm tries to figure out how to chain up. I sit in the front seat cuddling with Rhasta and eating chocolates before looking up nearby hotels that allow dogs. I had just found a place that we could afford when Norm got in the car and told me we were ready to go. We start driving and Norm asks how fast we can drive with chains on. I have no idea so I look it up. 30 miles per hour. We get to the chain up sign that says chains required when flashing and guess what? The sign is no longer flashing. All that work and we don’t even need chains now. As we approach Frisco Norm decides to stop and take the chains off. I tell him I am not sure about taking them off because I had read that we will need them when we get to Silverthorne, but he takes them off anyways. Sure enough, right outside Silverthorne we see the chain up sign is flashing. We just say screw it and decided to risk it.
I don't remember how this happened, but when we got to Grand Junction I realized there was bad weather on Vail Pass. We stopped at a park to let Rhasta walk around and figure out what was going on. In a matter of a few minutes it went from bad weather to Vail Pass is closed with no estimated time for reopening. I call Enzo and ask him to look at a weather map. His response, “you know all of Colorado, yeah it's all getting snowed on.” Great. We considered different routes. All would add like 5 hours to our drive time. We decided to buy snow chains and head towards Vail. We stop at Wal-mart, no chains. I call the auto part store and yes, they have them. The guy asks what size my tires are? “Uhm…teeny tiny,” I reply. We eat Chipotle and go buy snow chains. I tell Norm not to spend a lot of money because we could just stay in a hotel in Grand Junction and finish the drive on Friday morning. I guess we have different ideas of what a lot of money is because snow chains cost us $75. Which isn’t really a lot of money, but it is if you live in Phoenix and never see snow. As we leave Grand Junction I keep thinking, “we should return those and stay in a hotel.” But instead of saying something, I quietly seethe from the passenger seat. We keep driving.
I’m not sure why Norm didn't put the chains on when we stopped outside Vail for gas, but he didn’t. We are on I-70 and we pass the chain up area and see the sign that flashes when you need to chain up. Norm says, “We waited too long.” I don’t know what he means by we? I don't even want to be part of this situation. Norm pulls over on the side of highway. Here we are freezing our ass off on the side of the highway trying to learn how to put chains on the tire in the dark. Oh, did I forget to mention that neither of us has any idea how to do this? After trying and getting really frustrated Norm gets back in the car. I point out a u-turn spot for emergency vehicles right ahead and we decided to u-turn and go back Vail to try to figure this out.
We park on the side of the road in Vail, which is not amusing to the citizens of Vail and Norm tries to figure out how to chain up. I sit in the front seat cuddling with Rhasta and eating chocolates before looking up nearby hotels that allow dogs. I had just found a place that we could afford when Norm got in the car and told me we were ready to go. We start driving and Norm asks how fast we can drive with chains on. I have no idea so I look it up. 30 miles per hour. We get to the chain up sign that says chains required when flashing and guess what? The sign is no longer flashing. All that work and we don’t even need chains now. As we approach Frisco Norm decides to stop and take the chains off. I tell him I am not sure about taking them off because I had read that we will need them when we get to Silverthorne, but he takes them off anyways. Sure enough, right outside Silverthorne we see the chain up sign is flashing. We just say screw it and decided to risk it.
Rhasta and I are eating cuddling and waiting for Norm to figure our snow chains
Rhasta is willing to help drive
By the time we arrive am I really mad. I have now been awake for 21 hours. At this point I doubt that I will be racing on Saturday. Yes, I have one day to recover but it may not be enough. I don't back bounce from not sleeping very well. The place we are staying is heated by a wood stove and thank G-d they were kind enough to start the fire for us.
I didn't sleep as long as I would have liked. Luckily the AirBnb had coffee. I had a cup of coffee, still felt like shit and decided to take a nap. When I got up we went to Starbuck (more coffee) and headed to REI. I was on the fence about wearing tights. I never run in tights, but I also rarely run when it in the 30’s outside. I also was concerned about snow and ice on the course since it had snowed the night before. I decided maybe I should buy some Kahtoola nano spikes. I also had forgotten my gloves so I needed to get a pair of gloves.
We stopped at the grocery store to get food for the rest of the day. I napped and ate and felt better in the afternoon. I unpacked my bag and repacked it with just the things I would need for the race. I was getting restless so I found a dog park to take Rhasta to so we could both stretch out legs. Rhasta had a blast, but as we were leaving I realized how muddy she had gotten. Oy vey! Luckily she was easier to clean up than I thought. We also took some time to try to find the race start since we were driving right past going to and from the dog park. Good thing we did because I had misunderstood the directions. We were also able to try to assess if we would be able to get to the start line. I had received an email stating that if you didn't have 4wd or AWD you wouldn't make it to the start. There was a big puddle that seemed concerning, but other than that it seemed possible to get to the start.
I didn't sleep as long as I would have liked. Luckily the AirBnb had coffee. I had a cup of coffee, still felt like shit and decided to take a nap. When I got up we went to Starbuck (more coffee) and headed to REI. I was on the fence about wearing tights. I never run in tights, but I also rarely run when it in the 30’s outside. I also was concerned about snow and ice on the course since it had snowed the night before. I decided maybe I should buy some Kahtoola nano spikes. I also had forgotten my gloves so I needed to get a pair of gloves.
We stopped at the grocery store to get food for the rest of the day. I napped and ate and felt better in the afternoon. I unpacked my bag and repacked it with just the things I would need for the race. I was getting restless so I found a dog park to take Rhasta to so we could both stretch out legs. Rhasta had a blast, but as we were leaving I realized how muddy she had gotten. Oy vey! Luckily she was easier to clean up than I thought. We also took some time to try to find the race start since we were driving right past going to and from the dog park. Good thing we did because I had misunderstood the directions. We were also able to try to assess if we would be able to get to the start line. I had received an email stating that if you didn't have 4wd or AWD you wouldn't make it to the start. There was a big puddle that seemed concerning, but other than that it seemed possible to get to the start.
You have to make a fire if you want heat! I would have frozen without Norm.
Rhatsa likes the AirBnb
Norm testing the bog hole we have to dive through the next day to get to race start. Trying to make sure the whole isn't bigger than the Prius.
We ate dinner, watched Santa Clarita Diet and went to bed early. I woke up at 5am easily. I had a cup of coffee and a kind bar before we packed up the car and headed to the race. It was quick 10-minute drive. We successfully made it through the puddle, but as we started to head up the dirt road to the start it became clear the Prius was not going to make it. It was muddy and deeply rutted. Norm managed to some how turn around and head back to the bottom. Another car was heading up to the start and I jumped out of the Prius. She immediately rolled down her window and asked if I needed a ride. Yes! I got in the car and while we headed up to the start, Norm went down to park on the side of the road.
I wasn't nervous about the race. I was nervous about looking stupid. I don't run in cold, snow and ice. I didn't want to look as clueless as I felt. When I started to notice that most people were wearing tights I commented to a girl next to me, “I am happy to see so many people in tights.” “What else would you wear,” she asked incredulously. She was from California. I start getting my pack ready and when I go to get out of my Uggs and put my shoes on I realize that I left my shoes in the car. I try calling and texting Norm, but no response. Of course. Why do I even pay for him to have a phone? I pull on my La Sportiva. They have a bit of a lug so they might be okay. I was hoping to wear my road shoes with my nano spikes, but this will have to work. No one else is wearing spikes, just trail shoes. When Norm finally arrives (he had to park on the street and walk up the hill on the muddy, icy road with Rhasta) he offers to go get my shoes. I tell him not to worry. I don't like how hard and inflexible the La Sportiva are, but I will give them a try and let him know how it goes.
I run into Courtney Dauwalter. We both kinda look at each other trying to decide if it really is the other person because would why they be here? Courtney was running the 12 hour. We have a short race briefing and leave the warming tent to start the race. It was pretty cold and I was planning to take the first loop super slow to learn the route and figure out how bad the ice was before worrying about pace and laps. It was icy, but not terrible. The course was amazing. The climbing felt manageable and the location was beautiful. The top half of the course had a ton of snow, which to me is beautiful.
This run was so much fun. I got to chat with different people. A lot of people couldn’t believe that I came from Phoenix just to run this. Talking to one group about how we come up to Colorado every summer they said, “and you haven't moved here yet?” My response, “not for a lack of trying.” But their words would stick in my head.
The plan had been to take it easy until I had 2 hours left and at that point turn it on. Coming down from my second loop I was behind a group. They asked if I wanted to go around, but I said no. I told them when we got to the icy section they would see me cry for my mommy. I wasn’t far off. We were so close to the bottom where we would check in and head back up when took a turn and my foot slipped on ice. I went down hard on my knee. The group in front of me asked if I was okay and I said yes, go ahead, but I was not okay. I sat down on the ground and pulled up my pants to look at my knee. Immediately I could see it was really deep and needed stitches. It hurt really bad. I started walking down the road. Someone I had been talking to earlier came down from behind me and asked if I was okay. He told me he would let them know that I was injured. Norm told me later that he heard someone say that the girl from Arizona had gone down hard and was hurt and he was like, oh yeah, that’s my wife.
I made it down to the start and people were waiting for me. We went into the heated tent so I could sit down. They started cleaning out my wound and confirmed that it needed stitches. I hinted that maybe I should head back out and see how it felt. The guy helping me said, “if you need someone to tell your day is over I’ll do it, you’re done.” I sent a picture to Hayley and let her know that my day was over. I called Charlie and sent him pictures. We decided skipping stitches would be okay. I could already see that the bruising was bad and the swelling was pretty bad. Peter brought me blankets and someone else brought me coffee. A huge thank you to everyone at the race for taking such good care of me! Norm and I waited until the pain had subsided and I felt like I could walk down the road to our car. We made it back to the car and headed to the grocery store to get supplies to clean up and fix my leg. At the store was trying to decide what my best options were for closing up leg. We went with a large band aid that had antibiotic cream on it. I went to the pharmacy to explain what had happened and ask if there was something I could use to flush out any dirt. They had the perfect product.
I wasn't nervous about the race. I was nervous about looking stupid. I don't run in cold, snow and ice. I didn't want to look as clueless as I felt. When I started to notice that most people were wearing tights I commented to a girl next to me, “I am happy to see so many people in tights.” “What else would you wear,” she asked incredulously. She was from California. I start getting my pack ready and when I go to get out of my Uggs and put my shoes on I realize that I left my shoes in the car. I try calling and texting Norm, but no response. Of course. Why do I even pay for him to have a phone? I pull on my La Sportiva. They have a bit of a lug so they might be okay. I was hoping to wear my road shoes with my nano spikes, but this will have to work. No one else is wearing spikes, just trail shoes. When Norm finally arrives (he had to park on the street and walk up the hill on the muddy, icy road with Rhasta) he offers to go get my shoes. I tell him not to worry. I don't like how hard and inflexible the La Sportiva are, but I will give them a try and let him know how it goes.
I run into Courtney Dauwalter. We both kinda look at each other trying to decide if it really is the other person because would why they be here? Courtney was running the 12 hour. We have a short race briefing and leave the warming tent to start the race. It was pretty cold and I was planning to take the first loop super slow to learn the route and figure out how bad the ice was before worrying about pace and laps. It was icy, but not terrible. The course was amazing. The climbing felt manageable and the location was beautiful. The top half of the course had a ton of snow, which to me is beautiful.
This run was so much fun. I got to chat with different people. A lot of people couldn’t believe that I came from Phoenix just to run this. Talking to one group about how we come up to Colorado every summer they said, “and you haven't moved here yet?” My response, “not for a lack of trying.” But their words would stick in my head.
The plan had been to take it easy until I had 2 hours left and at that point turn it on. Coming down from my second loop I was behind a group. They asked if I wanted to go around, but I said no. I told them when we got to the icy section they would see me cry for my mommy. I wasn’t far off. We were so close to the bottom where we would check in and head back up when took a turn and my foot slipped on ice. I went down hard on my knee. The group in front of me asked if I was okay and I said yes, go ahead, but I was not okay. I sat down on the ground and pulled up my pants to look at my knee. Immediately I could see it was really deep and needed stitches. It hurt really bad. I started walking down the road. Someone I had been talking to earlier came down from behind me and asked if I was okay. He told me he would let them know that I was injured. Norm told me later that he heard someone say that the girl from Arizona had gone down hard and was hurt and he was like, oh yeah, that’s my wife.
I made it down to the start and people were waiting for me. We went into the heated tent so I could sit down. They started cleaning out my wound and confirmed that it needed stitches. I hinted that maybe I should head back out and see how it felt. The guy helping me said, “if you need someone to tell your day is over I’ll do it, you’re done.” I sent a picture to Hayley and let her know that my day was over. I called Charlie and sent him pictures. We decided skipping stitches would be okay. I could already see that the bruising was bad and the swelling was pretty bad. Peter brought me blankets and someone else brought me coffee. A huge thank you to everyone at the race for taking such good care of me! Norm and I waited until the pain had subsided and I felt like I could walk down the road to our car. We made it back to the car and headed to the grocery store to get supplies to clean up and fix my leg. At the store was trying to decide what my best options were for closing up leg. We went with a large band aid that had antibiotic cream on it. I went to the pharmacy to explain what had happened and ask if there was something I could use to flush out any dirt. They had the perfect product.
haley was right about tights with zippers, they are better. (I think she had a different reason in mind.)
A yummy close up!
The lint roller isn't for my injury, don't worry!
At the house I showered and tended to the hole in my leg. Pretty quickly we would realize that the band aid was not the solution. The skin I wanted to close up was sliding down. Also there was just too much blood for this band aid. I sent Norm back to the store to get steri strips and self sticking wrap. I pushed the skin back in place and put on the steri strips.
While Norm napped I looked for a jobs in Colorado. The words of the people on course were ringing in my head. We always talk about moving here, but we never really follow through. We worry about the little what if’s that may or may not happen. We knew we would be coming up for the summer and I found two jobs that were summer jobs. So I applied. It was a start.
While Norm napped I looked for a jobs in Colorado. The words of the people on course were ringing in my head. We always talk about moving here, but we never really follow through. We worry about the little what if’s that may or may not happen. We knew we would be coming up for the summer and I found two jobs that were summer jobs. So I applied. It was a start.
These tow are exhausted
The view from my bed while I work on my job search
We spent the evening binge watching Santa Clarita diet. Sunday we started the long drive home. Norm first got pulled over for speeding outside of Moab. I don't know how this always happens to him when we are traveling because he really is such a slow driver. We got pulled over a second time south of Flagstaff because one of out taillights was out. Norm was seriously freaking out. Luckily he calmed down, I mean how would we have known if we hadn't been pulled over.
About this time I also got an email from one of the jobs I had applied for and they wanted to interview me! I would get a call the next morning from the other job that they also wanted to interview me. All of this leads to the next adventure…
About this time I also got an email from one of the jobs I had applied for and they wanted to interview me! I would get a call the next morning from the other job that they also wanted to interview me. All of this leads to the next adventure…
