Boulder Running Adventure!

Running In Boulder

So I am in a precarious situation- my husband and 14 year old daughter are on an educational tour trip to Europe for 11 days;

My 10 year old is on vacation with her best friend and family at the lake for 5 days;

And, I am working.

I love my job so this is no big deal.

BUT, I got to thinking…

When will I ever have the opportunity to trek to the mountains solo- on my own time, pace, decisions, and without taking care of another living thing? Never.

And of course all the philosophical ideas have popped up on this trip- I need my family like I need breath.

And while I say this, I am still enjoying the exploration of what life would be like on my own- no one to care about. So selfish - ha!

I am just so proud of the life I created but not to deny- only a quick reprieve: an exploration that I see as self care.

My idea of self care is not a facial or a fancy dinner - I mean- sure I like those things ok, but it’s not ME

For me

(I am different I know - lol- ) it's feeling the freedom/independence to explore the world outside, to go places and do things and learn about other people and places that I just couldn't do from home or even sometimes with another human.

So, I did it.

I packed up the car with 5 different pairs of shoes (one for hiking, one for floating, one for running slow, one for running fast, and well, walking ha!

Yeah, anyone who knows me, knows I have lots of shoes - I move in a lot of different ways I guess - ha!

So back to the point, I looked up places for runners and well, Boulder was the closest yet farthest location- if that makes sense.

A 12 hour drive to a runner's heaven!

So, Jon and Sam left Tuesday for Europe and this left Gwyn gal and me to work and play with the pups for the next few days.

We packed for our respective trips- her bag for the summer vibes at the lake of the ozark and my bag - well it was a laundry basket full of running gear, lots of blankets (cause I was planning on sleeping in the car at a hotel chains from parking spot- if I got too tired along the way - I know I know - Im fine! and a cooler full of granola, protein bars, sweet potatoes and water.

I waited to get on the road until after I dropped Gwyn at her best friend's house and felt she was comfortable for her trip. After-all, I basically asked her a thousand times - “are you sure you are ok being away from me for that long?” You can always adventure to Colorado with mom instead?”

She insisted she was so excited about the lake, and I don't blame her- her friend Addi and their family is wonderful!

So, I went with that lol. Of course, one night she called homesick and I had to talk her back to reality and send her hugs and kisses and oh I can't thank Amber, David, Addi, Evie and the entire family enough for loving on her while she is away!

So Why Boulder? Located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 25 miles northwest of Denver, it was an easy drive and altitude with beauty!

Yes, it’s altitude and the question: how will this affect my breathing and running?

Well, have you ever done a tempo run? A Vo2 max run? Or have you ever run any hard hill repeats? Basically, done anything HARD in sport?

Well, that’s how I view altitude, not something to fear but to embrace. Of course it will provide challenges: headache perhaps, sleep disturbances, or dehydration? Sure- but that's the point- I love to seek out new ways to challenge my body and mind the same way I do in the weight room or during a long progression run -

After-all, isn't that the point of training towards a goal- for adaptation?

I mean, as long as the recovery is there- embrace it and GO BY EFFORT. My runs were much much slower- but I didn't care- I accepted the new challenge that was presented in this beautiful vast landscape at an elevation of 5,300 feet!

So here is my Running Sojourn to Boulder Colorado from St. Charles, MO!

Day One

-Left St. Charles by vehicle at 1:30pm

-Stopped for gas and potty along the way

-Listened to some shows and books on audible on the way

-And before I knew it - I was pulling the car into the university of Colorado dorm parking lot. It was midnight CO time, 1 am my time, so I took some melatonin, cuddled up in the back of my car and slept the night away- after all my air b n b was not due to be ready until 3.

-I got up and drove to run spot # 1:Boulder Mesa Trail, specifically South Mesa Trailhead. After, I washed up in a gas station bathroom while waiting for my room to be ready- I checked out BOULDER RESERVOIR/BOULDER VALLEY RANCH LOOP and I walked a bit of this no running!

I swam in the popular lake and laid at the beach for a bit.

After I checked into my AIRBNB and showered, I ate some dinner and scootered (yes I brought my kids scooter with me- smaller than a bike - haha!) on the BOULDER CREEK PATH/UNIV. OF COLORADO to get a tour of the city and university.

Day Two

-Ran the First 7 miles of the MAGNOLIA RD. CHALLENGE

-Later in the day - hiked MT. SANITAS LOOP

-Then checked out Whitewater Tubing for a rental to take to Boulder Creek

Day Three - woke up early and drove to rocky mountain national park- parked and ran up to Bear Lake and did some trail running.

I covered over 20 miles that morning - so I stayed in and watched a weird movie on Netflix and cooked some dinner.

Day Four

-Went back to MAGNOLIA RD. CHALLENGE

and did the back 15 miles to complete the entire 27 mile stretch.

-Afterwards, I checked out the Boulder Canyon Trail - amazing!!! Great for a fartlek type speed play workout or tempo! The Boulder Canyon Trail is a 2.6 mile trail that follows along Boulder Creek. The trail connects with the Boulder Creek Path into Boulder.

-THEN, I got an amazing blueberry scone and coffee from the local recommended Spruce Confectionaries https://www.spruceconfections.com/

-Next, I hiked several CHAUTAUQUA PARK trails - which I would like to run more of in the future.

Day Five - Up early before a long drive so will run from my amazing AIRBNB (by the way - if you need a recommendation - Jason and his family are amazing and this place i am renting is TOP NOTCH! So clean, great location, just right for a runner who needs some pampering between the runs and hikes.

Anyways, I planned to run the Dirty Bismark Trail near by in Superior, but I wanted to get some forward momentum on my LONG drive home to St. Charles, MO, so I drove to Confluence park in Denver to take about 30 minutes off my drive and ran the well known CHERRY CREEK PATH which is a centerpiece of Denver and gave me an 11 mile tour of the city.

Definetly would recommend doing the city thing before the nature thing if you want to appreciate it if you know what I mean. It's kinda the same feeling I get after running in Moab and Zion Utah, then flying out of Vegas- you know- Vegas looses all of it ehem charm.

***UPDATED: Ok I digress, after my tour of Denver on foot, I got in the car and drove home - stop 1- my sisters house (she is amazing and watched one of my pups, Phoebe)m then home to my parents to get Teddy ( thank you to those saints for helping with Pup 2) and then to get Gwyn and home to sleep sound. The next morning, Gwyn and the puppies and I picked up Jonathan and Sam from the Airport - all back home safe and full of stories!!!

***I was unable to explore the US 36 BIKEWAY or WONDERLAND LAKE PARK/FOOTHILLS LOOP

And now back home! I can't wait to see my family; I am so blessed.

Below are some descriptions of the trail I ran and hiked during my stay.

Boulder Creek Path by the University of Colorado

This path travels for 8 miles through downtown, past several community parks, by the well-known University of Colorado at Boulder, and through Boulder Canyon. It’s a great place to start in Boulder for a tour on foot!

Chautauqua Trail

About a 5-minute drive from Boulder. Run or hike Boulder’s famous Flatirons: open trails, passing through meadows and views of the Flatirons. They aren’t technical, but some are steep. Also, before you leave check out the Ranger Cottage at Chautauqua Park at the foothills of the Rockies. The cottage provides info on all activity and information. from running, to bird watching and all kinds of activities.

Mesa Trail

The Mesa Trail runs along Boulder’s most beautiful mountain parks, dramatic Flatirons, scenic forests, and meadows.

BOULDER RESERVOIR/BOULDER VALLEY RANCH LOOP

5.25 mile loop around Reservoir or the 4 mile Boulder Valley Ranch Loop and even better combine the two for 9.9 mile run.

Supplying some of Boulder’s drinking water, the Boulder Reservoir is an awesome spot to bike, run, swim everything really: volleyball courts, boat rentals, restrooms, showers, a seasonal swimming beach, several picnic tables, and horseshoe pits, the

MAGNOLIA RD. CHALLENGE

This road is reputed to be the steepest paved and maintained road in the United States.

The road runs from Boulder Canyon to Nederland for 13 miles, climbing 3,500 feet.

The steepest part is the first 4-5 miles, which features grades of up to 17%.

The closest section to Boulder starts about 6 plus miles from Boulder Canyon Dr. (Rt. 119), and goes to Nederland, the first run here, I ran the first 6 miles up (the steepest section) and finished a 16 miler on the path below. Before heading back 2 days later to do the back 15 miles described as follows:

At the 4.5 mile mark, where I parked my car for the 15 mile out and back, which is an 1,895 foot elevation gain.

At this 4.5 mile ark, the Magnolia Rd. turns from paved to dirt…and becomes flatter/more rolling. The scenery is both wooded and open, with mountain views. There are also some homes along here, so be respectful of the locals and stay to the side of the road for safety.

Mount Sanitas (3.2 miles) and Sanitas Valley Loop (7 miles Lions Loop)

A challenging, rocky route with views of Boulder, the Flatirons, and the Continental Divide. This is one of the more challenging, yet accessible trail runs near Boulder.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake

A can’t-miss hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, featuring alpine lakes and abundant wildlife. 1 hour 20 minute-drive from Boulder and park entrance Cost: $30 one-day also important to note that you need a Reservation: $2 Park Access+ reservation required from May 26 – Oct 22

Emerald Lake is one of the most famous hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It can be crowded, but if you run to it and start early- you will be rewarded!! I’d recommend this trail above all else if you only have one day in the park: 3 miles round trip with breathtaking alpine lakes—Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. If you do not run to the lot- Plan ahead if visiting between May 26 and October 22, as you’ll need a Park Access reservation. Note that parking at the Bear Lake Trailhead is limited. You may need to leave your vehicle at Park & Ride, then take the free Bear Lake Shuttle to your starting point.

Cherry Creek Path (Denver, Colorado)

Cherry Creek is a paved path in the middle of running in downtown Denver. Its a total of 42 miles, but since I was told the best section starts at Confluence Park that's where I parked and then ran 4 miles SE toward the Cherry Creek Mall, going by several parks and landmarks, including the Convention Center, University of Colorado, a Mall, and three of Denver’s performing arts. There are also separate trails for pedestrians and cyclists on each side of the creek. I continued to Cherry Creek State Park in the suburban area on Englewood and then had to turn, but if you off shoot you can run towards some more natural settings and meadows. This run was a quick stop before I headed on the road for 11 more hours of driving back to STL.

Hessie Trailhead Options (towards Nederland and a drive from my AirBNB

• Indian Peaks Wilderness

• Devils Thumb

• Lost Lake

• King Lake

• Woodland Lake

• Diamond Lake trails

US 36 BIKEWAY

I checked this out but did not travel the path. What I noted is that if you want something long, flat, and open, the new US 36 Bikeway is a good running option. This is a relatively new paved bike path that runs from the south end of Boulder to Westminster for 16 miles.

WONDERLAND LAKE PARK/FOOTHILLS LOOP

I checked this out but did not travel the path. What I noted is that this Loop is a scenic spot for running. Roughly three miles north of downtown Boulder, good for a 4-mile loop through these parks and gardens.

I hope this information helps someone; I didn’t get to do half of what I wanted to do so this post will be TBC! Love you all!

My Family in Europe and at the Lake and Mama in Boulder!