Tour around San Francisco

Went on a longer than planned run around a quarter of San Francisco (see map). The run up Divisadero was annoying because there were traffic lights on every single intersection...and it was a LONG street! But it was great to be able to run at sea level and not have any oxygen issues one would have at 12,000 feet higher in the air. While mountain running has its benefits and never-ending fantastic views, it was a nice treat to run along the cliffs of the Bay and Pacific Ocean. It was also great to be able to run along a dirt path (except for the expected street runs) almost most of the way. SFers are pretty darn lucky! I made it back after 16.7 miles with a surprising elevation gain of 2876 feet (aside from Divisidero, I didn't feel like I went up a hill) in a total time of 3:10 (including buying a gatorade at a store and snapping pictures). Google Map of route

Lyons to Longmont and back

This is a route I drive quite often and often wonder aloud why on earth all bikers choose to bike this boring, asphalt car/SUV highway? Well, despite all my previous wonderment, I wanted a nice and easy 14 mile run so I thought I would give it a go: Longmont or bust! It was a pretty flat and easy run for the most part (was nice wearing my Newtons instead of trail shoes) so by the time I got to the 7 mile mark, which is approx Hover St., I decided I would continue to Main St, just so I could say I made it to something a bit more concrete than the outer limits of Longmont. My knees were getting pretty sore the last 5 miles but it was workable. My speed was considerably lower, something I blame my lazy pace. While I had a very long run which made me think a marathon is quite possible, I now want to change my focus to increasing my pace a bit so I can make a 4 hour marathon. When I finished, I had a voracious appetite after burning through a flat (1033 ft gain) 17.6 miles in 3:17 run. Map

Running around the neighborhood

For some reason I have a huge resistance to running by my house. It might have something to do with the fact I have to drive up and down the 4 mile gravel road a lot, or the chance of running into a mountain lion are pretty high. But when push comes to shove and I can't get away to go somewhere else, it is really a decent hilly run. Entire loop 10.1 miles with 2033 elevation gain (highest 6582) in 2:05. GPS map

Lyons St. Vrain Road Hall Ranch Apple Vally Loop

As much as I said I didn't like Hall Ranch, after my first run there in the hot baking sun, it warmed up to me this time (thanks to the shade along the Old St. Vrain roads. I left the parking lot at the Lyons access to the St Vrain River and made my way along the old South river road, had great shade and scenery of the river and bluffs. When I got off the road and onto Hwy 7, I took a wrong turn thinking Hall Ranch was to my left so I eventually turned around and got back on track. Hall Ranch was much easier, probably just because I knew what I was getting into. I then  went down the antelope trail which hooked up to Apple Valley Road. It was a pretty  run, a nice combination of easy flat roads and rocky hilly trails and a great way to run around my neighboring town of Lyons. Total distance 9.3 miles, gaining 1703 in elevation in 1:49. GPS map