Y’all, I cannot be any more ready for this week to be over! You know why? I have the all-time best weekend ever on deck!
Starting tomorrow morning, Will and I are driving up to Vail for the La Sportiva Summer Solstice 10k trail run. Technically, it’s not a 10k because it’s actually 6.6 miles in length, but that’s a lot more awkward to say. Regardless, I’m in for a fun day of running!
I originally found this trail series last fall when Columbia paid for me and a friend to run the Evergold 5k. That was the first time I’ve ever run such a small race and I really loved it. Additionally, I was psyched to learn that the La Sportiva series rocks legit trails—I’m talking tight single track covered in roots, rocks and sharp curves with lots of elevation gain and loss. I get really irritated with many of the trail series here in Colorado that have you run on a dirt road that could essentially be someone’s unpaved driveway. This is Colorado, after all! I want some TRAILS!
Angel, me, Cindy and Craig after the Evergold last year
The Evergold 5k was such a blast last year that I vowed to run more of the races during the 2014 series. Unfortunately, most of the other dates don’t pan out with my schedule, but I was able to squeeze this one in, along with a second registration for Will. Sadly, it’s looking like I’ll still be running solo though. Will was out running last week and pushed himself into a hard sprint for the last mile home. Something tweaked in his hamstring and it hasn’t been right since, even to the point where going up stairs makes it sore. Apparently, it’s a common problem with him after all of his knee surgeries (3 and counting!), so we just need to give it a rest. Alas, it means he’ll be cheering me on from the sidelines instead of alongside me. Sigh.
The race itself essentially climbs up and over a mountain and down the backside. In short, it’s 3.3. miles of climbing followed by 3.3 miles of descent. I’m getting mixed messages, but I’ve heard that there is anywhere from 1500-2000 feet of elevation gain during the first half, so it sounds like the first three miles will be some good ones! My running this week has been abysmal at best, and I have done minimal hill training. I’m curious to see how the run feels in terms of length, endurance, and the effect of altitude, but other than that, I just want to finish and have a good time!
However, the fun weekend doesn’t end there! After the race, Will and I are driving back to Georgetown because my mom is running the Slacker Half Marathon. My sis and her boyfriend are visiting from Hawaii, and my mom’s birthday is on Sunday, so between all of that and all of our running races, we decided to just make a weekend of it. We’ll all meet up after our respective races for some soaking in the local mud baths, followed up with a delicious dinner and drinks. However, we need to head to bed quasi-early because we have another adventure on tap for Sunday: white water rafting!
From AVA’s FB page. Hopefully it will be just like this!
The seven of us are heading out for a half day, intermediate trip full of class III-IV rapids with AVA for Mama’s birthday. Nothing says happy birthday like a morning full of adrenaline and freezing water, right? Luckily, I have both my GoPro and Sony Action Cam, so I am hoping to snag some awesome footage from the day to show y’all next week (along with a future rafting giveaway for two of my local readers!) I’m also curious to see how my cousin and my sister’s boyfriend do in the boat, since they have never been. I’m guessing we’ll have some epic swimming stores to share!
Have a great weekend everyone!
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Have you ever been white water rafting? Would you like to?
What are your weekend plans?