Training Log Archive: Torino

Stroll up Devil's Head fire lookout with Christoph, Molly and the two girls, 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 years old who did some hiking themselves and got carried most of the way.
Beautiful area with the golden aspens and lots of boulders and incredible views. Up on top was the fire lookout which could be reached over 143 steps that lead from one lofty boulder to the next. The fire lookout consists of a hut where somebody stays most of the summer everyday.

We have arrived in Colorado Springs at a friend's place in the Black Forest. As usual, we did a run in Fox Run Park and finally, I felt a little better. It is truly a roller-coaster trail run but I just love it. Still very dry and the altitude affected me a little less.

Doing a run down in the Canyon of the Rio Grande. Started a little further down from the bridge and slow jogged about 3 km on the road before the trail headed inland and steeply up through boulders and rocks. It was slow going. Eventually, things opened up and I could run faster. Still, I was about 10 min slower than 4 years ago and Urs waited for me towards the end as he was VERY worried! This time I wasn't acclimatized yet to the altitude (2200 m and 15 % humidity), so that might explain it. Also after having been on the road for 3 weeks with lots of travelling many miles across over half of the US, eating not the healthiest foods, it will take me awhile to regain my normal shape.

A slow run to get myself back into running again. Plus we've landed in Santa Fe after driving hard (for us old people) for two days from Memphis to OK City and yesterday to Santa Fe.
Now we're over 2100 m and that needs some adjustments. It was a beautiful trail like I love here in the West. They're not easy trails with lots of rocks in the pinyon trees and very dry air which needs to get some used to.
Felt almost like arriving "back home".
Lots of stops for pix and to consult the map.

In Memphis: did a jog on the pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi and added on in the riverside park. All paved and relatively flat. It just feels so good to move once in a while after all the sitting in the car, standing in museums such as the Grand Old Opry, Hall of Fame of Country Music, Hall of Fame of Rock 'n Roll, Elvis' Graceland, and all the sitting in Restaurants and listening to many bands playing while eating Southern foods. What an experience though.

Doing a morning run in 86 degree heat in Nashville around the Parthenon. I would have never guessed that this city of country music and modern highrises and florishing business would have a huge Greek temple! Amazing.
Being on the road for 2 weeks now, did nothing to my physical shape, and I felt jogging like a hippotamus. But we are experiencing lots of things, places I have never been (and probably never will (want) go back.

Still in the Appalachians: went from the highest crest (on road to Klingmans Dome) down on trails I found on the map which was an old wagon trail. But after a few hundred meters I realised that now it was a small, rocky, slippery trail leading down, down, crossing the creek numerous times and sometimes it was hard to make out where it continued on the other side. I was pretty nervous as it took me way longer to scramble downhille, climb over trees and watching out for slippery roots and rocks as I didn't want to get injured. I had no reception on my phone and was all alone. This trail seems hardly used at all anymore. The further down I got, the bigger the creek and the last crossing was quite a challenge with big boulders in the water which were really slippery. Sure enough, I fell in but could control it and then I just waded through the water happily that the current was not too strong. Finally, I reached the big trail (which felt like a highway in contrast) and soon caught up to Urs. We hiked back down and to the car together. The scenery was really stunning with waterfalls and big wooden bridges that were built here on this bigger and more frequented trail. Happy I was back safe and sound.

Doing a "little" hike in the Appalachians close to Asheville that was recommended to us. However, we didn't see neither bear or heard an elk and it was all in the thickest fo (very old) woods, so we eventually turned around. We felt that we didn't have the time to do the whole 12 km-loop. It was nice to see the wildness of this remote area.

C • Asheville! 6

In the US: spending the weekend in North Carolina despite hurricane Florence. But in Asheville, the threat was not that great as only some rain was expected. So, on Saturday I did a small run down from their house (estate) to the main road and back. But as I turned back I took the wrong road, as everything looks the same and is wooded for most parts, so it took me a long time to realise that I went wrong. I felt quite bad all the time, my legs hurt, muscles and bones (feeling the low pressure from the hurricane?), so I didn't know for a moment what to do as I felt incapable returning on my own as I had no reception on my phone. So I told myself, not to think and just jog down back the road and take the right one and get myself back to "our" place.

Hike with Urs along the coast on the south side of the West peninsula to a little and very famous restaurant with outstanding cakes. Refreshed, we happily hiked back, but saw no puffins (I guess it was not the season to see any as they spend the days in the water and only come to the cliffs at night to sleep.

Near Gründarfjord in a very nice cottage. Really wanted to go for a run or something. Went up from a the cottage to a high plateau then contemplated the peaks around and started climbing the scree and moss on one. It was very steep and needed my full attention not to lose my balance. But was up quickly (I thought) and on top with a view over fjord and out to sea towards Greenland ;-)).
Was worried how to get back down, the front side was out as remembered steep scree and some cliffs, so opted to climb the next higher one and slowly work my way along the scree slope to the creek bed that wound its way down to where I had started the climb. Sometimes, it was smooth jogging on moss the lots of rocks and pebbles made it more difficult and slow. But I made it back in the end.

Hiking to some glacier. The weather has greatly improved. Still have absolutely no energy. I had wanted to do a run today, but no chance. The slow hiking felt good and my spirit slowly came back. Did a very long drive yesterday to the Höfn area to see the famous blue ice bergs. They did not disappoint. I had wanted to go back today to see them in sunlight, but we didn't have enough gasoline, so we stayed in the area. kind of sad.
But found a hot pod and soaked in hot water which was fun.

Stress-relieved short run; felt good!

After celebrating the 5 years of Milvignes (combining 3 villages Auvergnier, Bôle and Colombier into one) on the alp of La Sagneule, I ran from there over the crest and down the other side to Prè Devant where I had forgotten my lock in the woods where I hid my bike 2 weeks ago and further down the road until Urs picked me up.

plus 3 km, 120 m altitude to the start.