2019 Running

I obviously haven't blogged much here recently ever. But as I've thought about the year 2019 and how much running played a part in shaping it for me, I decided to write some things down so I don't forget.

So, I'm gonna break this post down into two parts: The Facts and The Feels. 

The Facts

GOALS:

• Primary goal: 52 Horsetooth Rock summits (aiming for 1 x week)
• Actual: 52 

• Primary sub-goal: Sub-60 minute summit round trip.
• Actual: 58:29 (only time all year I broke 60 minutes!)




(A bit about Horsetooth Rock...)
     If you aren't familiar with Fort Collins, Horsetooth Rock is our local mountain. It's the most prominent peak that can be seen from anywhere in the Fort Collins area - and a very unique one as well. From the main trail head, it's about a 2.6 mile trip to the top (depending on the route) and 1400 ft of vertical gain. It consists of dirt road, single track and a rock scramble to the summit. Not a super technical trail for the area, but not a walk in park either.

• Secondary goal: 1000 miles
• Actual: 782.1

2019 RUNNING TOTALS:

• Distance: 781.2 miles
• Time: 155 hrs, 11 mins
• Elevation Gain: 136,073 feet
• Runs: 130 

The Feels

I'm very, very proud of hitting those 52 summits. When I originally set the goal, I wasn't sure I could actually do it. My motivations were 2-fold. One, I wanted to try to run consistently throughout the year (something I've never done) and thought setting a weekly goal would help. And two, I love that mountain. I love the feeling of getting to the top and looking out over Fort Collins to the east and Rocky Mountain National Park to the west. I love being up there when the sun rises and when the sun sets. I love being up there alone and with friends. I love being up there in the winter and in the summer. Running the trail consistently throughout the year allowed me to see it change with the seasons. I learned where and what time of day to expect wildlife. I saw the wildflowers bloom and fade; Spring Creek start to flow and then dry up; brown vegetation turn green then turn to brown again; snow fall and melt. The rhythm and cycle of the earth marching on without any help from us. It reminded me how small I am and made me grateful just to be able to witness it.

Being able to finish all 52 summits gave me confidence to move on to the goals I have for 2020, but it also humbled me. I know that my health and physical ability to enjoy trail running is not a given. It has made me extremely grateful every time I'm able to get out and enjoy the beauty of the earth under the power of my own two feet. Being outdoors clears my mind of distraction. It helps me focus on what's important. It gives me the clarity I need to take stock of how blessed I am and to thank God.

There are times when I need solitude on the trails, but so much of the enjoyment of being outside comes from sharing it with others. I'm so thankful for the active and encouraging trail running community in Northern Colorado and draw so much motivation and inspiration from them. But having a smaller crew of guys - family, no less - to meet up with for runs is amazing. Josh, Justin, Jeff, and I affectionately call ourselves "The Flying J's" and I'm so thankful to have shared many miles with them. Looking forward to many more in 2020!

Here are some of my favorite pics from the year.

January 20
Pineridge run with Jeremiah on his bike. Waiting for my dental implant to heal. Knocked out my tooth in a fall on Long's Peak in September!

February 23
Horsetooth Rock from Herrington trail with Justin.

March 10
Summit #9 of the year with the Flying J's. First time on the south tooth.

March 25
Incredible inversion on summit #10 looking south. Birthday Run with the Flying J's. Josh brought donuts!

May 21
Late season snow storm. The Flying J's at the top of Coyote Ridge. 

June 1
Start of the Foothills Marathon Fun Run! Devil's Backbone trail head.

October 3
Summit #37 with Josh

October 4
Sunset run with Josh on the Foothills trail. Horsetooth Reservoir in the background. (photo cred: Josh)

November 27
On my way to summit #47 in nearly 2 feet of fresh powder. Had the summit to myself this day!

December 19
Stunning sunrise on the way down from summit #51 with Josh and John Runkles. (photo cred: Josh)

December 31
Summit tag #52 with Josh. He logged his 1000th mile for the year on this run!

December 31
52nd Summit!!

I tried to remember to take a picture at the top each time I summited Horsetooth - from the same spot, looking toward the same direction. It didn't happen every time for one reason or another, but when I did take a pic it was looking southwest with Long's and Meeker in the distance. I tried to get Storm mountain on the right side of the shot (didn't always manage) and part of the tooth in the left foreground.

Here's a slideshow of all of those pictures that I put together. It's pretty neat to see the change throughout the year.