ThunderCats, Go!

Today was a massive day for training. I was supposed to walk 17 miles but actually rang in 18 after having to detour for lack of sidewalks. I also had, in the course of this monster undertaking, an interview for an adjunct professorship at Axia College, the University of Phoenix's junior college. 

For the sake of keeping the statistics comprehensible, I will use an N.W. Herald- style outbox. 

By the numbers: 

1: The number of interviews I had while on the monster walk

2: The number of power bars I consumed while walking

3 1/2 to 4: The miles per hour pace that I kept up 

5 1/2: The number of hours I actually walked

6: The number of liters of liquid I consumed on this monster walk

18: The number of miles I walked

1,800 to 2,700: The number of calories I burned today while walking

Milage on the soles of my shoes

Today, I walked across the state of Iowa. 

Not literally, of course, but I hit the milestone that is the equivalent of walking across my home state: 300 miles!

Three hundred three, actually, but close enough. 

I reached the mark while cruising across the Garden of the Gods's Upper Reservoir Trail. It's a gorgeous trail that runs above and on the perimeter of a massive open field through which the Utes once trekked.  It's also part of my favorite five-mile trip. 

Anyway, I was walking through a capricious Colorado thunderstorm, listening to Rusted Root and marveling at the incredible beauty and power that is the western weather when I hit the 300th mile. I didn't know it happened until I got home and double checked my personal journal and log book, but it was a very pleasant thing to find. 

Please understand that I've only count miles that are stepped in preparation for the big walk, not the day-to-day walking that I do around the house, work and on errands. Add those and I don't have any idea how far I've gone in the past 18 weeks. 

The funny thing about this is, there are still a few hundred miles left to go by Aug. 11. 

Nonetheless, 300 feels like a pretty powerful sum (it worked damn well for Sparta all those years ago.)

Wishing you love, health and a few more miles on your soles. 

Playing hooky

Andy takes a municipality-sponsored shot ... of mineral water!

I'll admit it: I played hooky for the day. 

After 17 weeks of hard training, I just didn't feel like treading six miles today. (I'll do it tomorrow on what is listed by the trainers as my "rest" day instead.)

Instead, Andy and I had our first "us" day in a long time. He's been working super long hours, six days a week, and on the Sunday that we do have off together, we've been taking these ridiculously long walks. Not that I mind, necessarily, given that we're climbing mountains and hiking through the Front Range; but it was nice to have a day just to relax a little bit. 

Sampling the mineral water from Seven Springs. Cheers!

So we only walked two miles instead. 

We went to my favorite city in the area, Manitou Springs. It got its name, and its early fame, from the mineral springs that permeate the area. There are about 10 throughout the area that are now enshrined in various fountains. This is the really cool thing: The city convention and visitor's bureau has a guided tour that you can take of the different fountains, complete with little plastic shot glasses. Each spring fountain has a brief description of its water's unique properties and a detailed history. My favorite was Twin Spring, which is located on a pretty steep hill and tastes like soda water. (It would be great with gin, by the way. :-) 

The tour is definitely a fantastic, and completely free, way to see a cool little community.

It's amazing to me

What sort of stuff you can pay a little extra for to support breast cancer research. OK, so we all know I'm a huge fan of the breast cancer stamps.  Yes, it costs 55 cents for one 45 cent stamp, but it's SO worth it to know that the extra dime is going to Susan G.'s foundation and supporting research. 

But since I've started this walk, i've been tickled to see the amount of things that have little pink ribbons on them. 

A few of my favorites: 

1) Socks. Yes, New Balance is the official shoe sponsor of the walk, but their little ankle socks have the ribbons, too. Explains why one packet of three runs like $15 when I could go to Target and get a dozen for the same price. Then again - one blister after 17 weeks of walking ain't too bad. 

2) Sun Chips. Those crunchy, tasty whole grain chips do, in fact, offer money to the Koman Foundation. 

3) All the Christmas cookie decorations I picked up last year are part of the "Bake for the Cure" campaign. Awesome

4) These nifty little "Sport Beans." These were part of a very generous donation-in-kind from my dear, dear friend Erin Berzina. She's one of those super-women triathletes, and she sent me these things, along with shoelace holders that keep your laces from coming untied and a pair of über (non ribbon-sporting) socks. I'm not sure how "Sport Beans" differ from "Jelly Beans" but I'm willing to give it a try, nonetheless. 

Especially since I have a synergistic connection that automatically makes me purchase anything bearing that little pink ribbon. 

Here's wishing you lots of love, health and plenty of pink ribbons to go around,

Regan

Like a blister in the Sun[day]

I earned my first blister yesterday. That's surprising to me, actually, given how much walking, hiking, climbing and general exertion my feet have undergone over the past four months, but I finally earned the little air puff Sunday. 

I don't entirely know how, it wasn't like I was doing any seriously hard walking. It was just 11 miles over generally good paths (an unusual thing for Andy and me lately) and paved roads. It really didn't even hurt at the time - or at least I didn't know it was forming. 

Nonetheless, there was the little blister, proudly standing out on the side of my big toe, when I sat down to rub lotion on my feet. 

So, for the first time in weeks, I'm sticking to the Monday schedule and taking today off. Gotta see if this little pocket of air and skin will drop down on its own before five miles tomorrow. 

Any advice, long-distance lovers, on how to deal with this thing? 

Here's wishing you good health and blister-free extremities,

Regan

30K

The new records keep on emerging, walking wise. 

On Saturday, it was 15 miles. It took the better part of five hours, spread over three walks, but I made the whole trip. My pedometer's final reading: 31,668 steps. 

Just five more miles to go to the end of Day 1. 

Today was relatively easy: 11 miles. Good thing tomorrow's a day to rest: I'm going to need it. 

Canine common sense

When a trail map doesn't succeed, try following a labrador!

Back in my horse show days, the joke used to be that a good equitation horse had a disc drive in its withers (that's the place where the neck meets the back, for you non-horsey types). The rider could slide a pre-programed disc into said drive and the horse would automatically perform a complicated pattern flawlessly. 

The truth, of course, was that the horses - such as my friend Kim's Genesis Kadence, Susie's Take Notice or my Binty - were so well trained and tuned in to their riders that they would respond to the slightest touch or shift in weight. It was actually a lot of work on both parties' parts, but horse and rider worked together so well that they made it look seamless. 

Well, if Binty had a disc drive, than - no joke - Jack has GPS. 

Today, I decided to do my five-mile walk in one of my favorite spots: the Garden of the Gods. Last Wednesday, we did the same thing, parking at a little turnoff along the road, walking a mile along a mountain-side pass to the tourist trap path of the garden, doing three miles there and walking the mile back to the car. No big deal and a well planned pathway. 

This week, I decided to vary that a little bit. I had my trail map, my camelpack, some water and a bowl for the dog, and lots of sunshine, so I was feeling good. Besides, it's only 450 acres of park, of which gigantic rocks and paved roadways take up about a quarter, so how lost can you get, right? 

Wrong. 

Here's the deal: The trail maps for the Garden of the Gods are completely inadequate. They only represent about a quarter of the actual trails, and the descriptions are completely wrong. The trail that I wanted to take is labeled the Chambers/Bretag/Palmer trail and is described thusly: "Challenging 3 mile trial originating from the South parking lot. This rocky trail nearly circles the entire park and provides excellent views of many of the park's rocks." 

This is how I would describe it: Chambers/Bretag/Palmer/Ute/Lower Reservoir/ Where the F**k AM I Trail. "Challenging 4 1/2 - 7 miles (depending on how lost you get) trail that wanders all over the park, gives you sweeping views of the most remote areas of the park, sometimes has you inappropriately treading on neighbor's property and changes names without any prior warning or signage. Breathtaking vistas, complete confusion, dress in layers and be prepared for the possibility of rattle snakes because nobody else is around." 

Clearly, I got lost. 

I somehow found the way back to the road (although I still don't know which stretch) and to the winding, weird path known, inexplicably, as the Buckskin Charlie Trail. It, equally inexplicably, merges with the Scotsman Trail and wraps around in a gigantic loop. According to the woefully inadequate trail map I had now crumpled up and stuck in my pocket in a disoriented rage, it should have merged with the trail I was originally on. Note I said "should have." 

Then the most amazing thing happened: As I was standing at yet another fork in the road, wondering where I should be going now, Jack did something he never does. 

He took control of the situation. 

With dogged determination (pun intended) he looked at me, looked down both branches of the trail, and headed down one. I had no better idea where we were going so I just let him lead. 

Which he did. For 2 1/2 miles. 

After winding around for about 5,500 steps, watching my dog's haunches disappear around the next bend and grateful that he was still tethered to me, I emerged next to the roadway (this one I recognized) where he dutifully was sitting. The truck was bout 500 feet away. 

So the moral of this long story is this: If you're ever lost, screw asking the confused tourists for directions (they're more befuddled than you are). Instead, just ask a lab.

Under the Coloradan sun

Now that we've settled into Colorado, it's safe to say we're in the desert. Actually, Colorado Springs is located right where the eastern desert meets the western mountain ranges. 

The point is, we get lots of gorgeous weather: Very little rain, few cloudy days and lots of bright warm sun during the day. Also, because of our altitude, the sun is very bright here, quick to bronze skin and goad you into a good, solid sweat. 

Yesterday, the temperature made it up to 86, the high so far for us, without a cloud in the sky. Jack and I walked for four miles under the blazing sun. While it wasn't an exceptional distance, easily accomplished in an hour, it was interesting to me how quickly the combination of warmth and glare sapped the energy right out of him. That was one tired pup by the time we were done. 

We're all building up our strength and stamina, which will be important in a few weeks. It's going to be another really active weekend: 15 miles Saturday and 11 miles Sunday. Hopefully, we'll be able to find a good hiking trail that either doesn't include a gigantic mountain in it, or that at least warns you so we're properly prepared. 

Oh, on a side note, turns out the path we were on (the Crags Trail in Cripple Creek) has mountain lions! Cool, huh?

If this is how they define moderate ...

For our 10 mile trip today, Andy and I decided to take a hike. We got a nifty guide to all the different hiking trails within an hour or so of the Springs and thought the Crags Trail sounded like a good fit. 

This sign marks the Crags Trail trailhead. A truer warning was never carved into galvanized steel. 

The trail was described as a five mile spur that connects the Crags Campground with the Little Horsethief Campground. It was also described as easy to moderate with an altitudinal gain of 500 feet. According to Bitchin' Betty, our navigation system, the base of the trail starts at 10,400 feet. 

The first stretch of Sunday's great adventure. 

It's really a cool trail: Well maintained, clearly defined. You really get a sense of history as you pass along about 2 miles of valley that separates two mountains. We passed through coniferous forests that opened up onto these wonderful open fields that were bounded by a lovely mountain stream. Jack loved it - going for drinks whenever he could and splashing around in the Jack Pack. All in all, utopia.

 

This lovely, babbling stream helped define the trail for the first 2 miles or so. We had to cross it a couple of times.

Then we got the mountain. 

The last half mile to three-quarter mile of the 3.25 mile trip we took was straight up the side of a mountain. About 1,000 feet straight uphill. And suddenly, the trail disappeared, turning instead into a stumble-as-you-can sheet of gravel and rock. 

So we stumbled and struggled and climbed, climbed, climbed. We came dangerously close to being passed by a 5-year-old and his friendly father, who relocated a few years ago from Tennessee.

 

Stopping for a breather and a family self-portrait about half way up the mountain. Jack sacrificed a tennis ball to the cliffs below. If you look closely, you can see some of the valleys a few thousand feet below us.

Ultimately, we emerged, victorious, on the top of the mountain - and probably somewhere near 12,000 feet elevation. The scenery and view was spectacular! The rear of Pike's Peak felt like just a stone's throw (presuming a good arm) away and the Rockies spread out like a tapestry before us. It made the snow (yes, I said snow, in June) and the bitterly harsh wind worthwhile - but not for more than a few minutes. To see photos from the summit (yes, Virginia, there are shameless plugs) click on the Rocky Mountain Dreaming link at the bottom of this page.

So instead of 10 miles we logged 6.5 today. But it feels like we walked 30. 

Andy snapped this victorious self-portrait after we made it back down the mountain. Getting back down was an entirely different adventure. 

I'm not entirely sure how the Colorado Department of Natural Resources defines "moderate" hiking, but if this trail is moderate, I don't think I want to know what "difficult" looks like. I'm not sure we have the proper equipment to scale Everest, yet. 

But I'm definitely willing to try it again!

Mission: Possible

This is easily the most footsteps my pedometer has ever recorded. 

For me, a mile comprises 2,100 steps. 

Work out the math, and you've got 14 miles worth of training steps there! Just six more to go to the end of Day 1. How's that for perspective?

Ten miles to go today. Last weekend, while on the walk from Old Colorado City to Manitou, we picked up a list of all the hiking trails in the greater 'Springs area. Sounds like we may be heading to Cripple Creek, on the other side of Pike's Peak, for a 5 mile one-way trail over there today. 

Wish us luck!

Here's wishing you all good health and love,

Regan

A new engagement for the team!

My friend and walking team mate Danielle Guerra text messaged last night to let me know that her long-time boyfriend, team mate and overall good guy Ryan Mains proposed! Congratulations you two! The Colorado contingent is thrilled for you both. May you have a long, happy and healthy life together. We can't wait to hear the details. 

Love,

Regan and Andy

Walking Hard at 6,500 feet

Andy and I made it safely to Colorado and now I'm back in training mode. That's a really good thing, but let me tell you, walking 10 miles in a city with a base elevation of 6,500 feet above sea level literally takes your breath away. 

Nonetheless, it's what Susan G. wants me to do, so that's what I'm doing. Anything for the cause. Andy's been a God send. Last weekend, we pounded 21 miles of pavement together, exploring our neighborhood and the lovely and quaint section of Colorado Springs known as Old Colorado City.

OCC is a really cool little historic area that was once the territorial capital. A Native American art and jewelry dealer with a fantastic shop on Colorado Avenue told us the story: There weren't enough bars and bordellos to please the territorial powers-that-be, so they moved the capital to Denver! Hey, whatever it takes to make your money, right? 

Anyway, from OCC we walked the 4 miles along Colorado Avenue (Business 24) to my FAVORITE city in the area: Maintou Springs. It was a long, hot, not-as-scenic-as-we-thought road that's short on sidewalks but long on crazies. True story: A random guy on a child's bicycle zipped around us and offered us free pot. Insane strangers offering illegal semi-psychatropic substances aside, I don't think we'll be walking that road again any time soon.

 

After our sojourn to the creek, we had to cross this concrete barrier in order to get to the sidewalk.

On the upside, we did make it all the way to Maintou, strolled on the sun-dappled banks of a gorgeous little creek and met up with this friendly guy.

 

Just another day with the local brontosaurus. See, he's friendly - he's smiling!

This weekend we're back on schedule to bang off 24 miles - 14 today and 10 tomorrow. I'm going to take a nine-mile stroll with the dog this morning to return some videos to the Blockbuster while Andy works, then we'll cap off the remaining five or so - likely at the Garden of the Gods. Tomorrow, I wouldn't mind going over the mountain (kinda like the bear) to see what we can see and walk where we can walk. 

Now that I'm back in the swing of things, I'll keep the camera close and the images coming. Hope everyone is well and best wishes for love and good health to all of you!

Regan