Last days in Colorado!

Spent the last 2 days in Colorado taking it easy and tapering on the drinking. Brownie wanted to check into rehab, but we all know it's just for quitters who like to whine. So I think he just kept drinking.

On Sunday after the marathon, we got a moderately slow start back to the Springs. With two stops at some breweries, and then a stop at the Thunderbird Inn for a beer, some photos, and this rad painting of Willie Nelson. Very cool. The snow was coming down relentlessly, and we skirted over the pass without much problems.




That night, Brownie, Pete (who had just arrived in the Springs), and myself were going to the Black Sheep.....again....to see Stockholm Syndrome in concert.
The show was pretty good, and they packed them in. The opening band "These United States" were actually pretty good. Even though the singer was so out of breath. hahahaha as he stated, "we're not used to playing at these altitudes". Needless to say, we consumed quite a few tall boys, and I think Pete was pretty glazed over by the time we headed out, calling Katie to come get us at the Irish #4. :D

He passed out on the hard wood floor, which is when I realized how out of it he was. LOL

The next morning, we decided we'd get a quick run in, before heading over to Kings Chef for some breakfast/lunch. Over to Red Rock Canyon, with Blos, Pete, Nacheux and myself for a quick 4 miler. It was absolutely stunning. The snow had fallen all night, the sun was up, but it wasn't warm enough to melt the snow off the branches. It was like running in a winter wonderland. Very cool stuff.


After which, it was off to the Kings Chef for a bacon cheeseburger, with green chili on the side, + fries. :D finished it off, and earned my 2nd "Clean Plate Sticker" of the weekend. The Kings Chef is an iconic local diner, and they have the "New Mexico Stomper" which is a 5 lb hamburger (10 .5lb patties on two buns, covered in green chili, all the fixins and a side of fries. You get an hour to complete it, and nobody had done it.

Well Pete decided he was going to go for it the following day. Sadly, I'd be on a plane. He made a good run at it, but came up short. Don't blame him. That is a shit ton of food.

All in all a phenomenal weekend of drinking, partying, running and shenanigans. :D

Salida Marathon - Check

Start time 9am, in Salida, Colorado

Running through time...and SNOW! wtf?! hahaha

Finish line pic, with our obligatory PBR. and a google earth gps mapping of our run.

That was the hardest race I've run...yet. :D But it was worth every bit of the pain, hangover, soreness.

I'll have a proper race report in a day or two. Have to get back to work, but feeling really good despite the race stats.

Start at: 7400 feet

Peak at: 9100 feet

Finished in: 6:47

Distance 26.3 miles

Between the altitude and minimal miles run, it all worked against me. But it was a perfect way to test myself and see what I can do. For now, I've decided to set my eyes on my first 50 miler in January 2011. Yes, I plan on doing some 30's before that, and another couple of marathons, but that will be my biggest leap in miles.

I think the biggest reason it was so fun and tolerable this weekend is that I did it with a good bunch of friends/retards. We drank a lot, we laughed a lot, and we ran a lot. Eating at Moonlight Pizza was phenomenal.

Earning 2 "Clean Plate Stickers" at Kings Chef in Colorado Springs was also a highlight of the visit.

Running through Red Rock Canyon and the Garden of the Gods was simply breathtaking. Especially with the fresh snow and sunny skies contrasted with the red canyon walls.

be back soon. with even more photos. :D