Cultural connections...gone awry

One of my colleagues speaks German, but is pretty darn fluent in English too.

My colleague, a mid-50's mom and grandmother, who reminds me of my own grandmother a lot-- she volunteers at the Science and Nature museum, she goes on educational trips out of state to learn about science and national parks. She's very well-rounded and the kids adore her. As I mentioned, she speaks German. It should go without saying then that she's from Germany, and has lived in the U.S. for at least a decade.

I wish I could capture her accent here. It's just precious. 

She and I were speaking and she got very excited. She said, "Oh! Oh! I remember, I was talking to my daughter about a documentary about your state! You are from Georgia, this I know!"

I replied, "Oh really? Which documentary?"

She answered, "It was a documentary, to learn about your state Georgia! They are very rich and have lots of money to spend that actually belongs to their husbands. But it is set in Georgia!"

I thought about it and asked, "Is the show about mainly women? And they drink a lot of alcohol?"

"Yah, Yah, this is the show."

"Were the women wearing short dresses and had lots of plastic surgery?"

"Yah, yah."

I hung my head a little. Ach, mein, Gott.  She thinks I lived a life back in Georgia like the Real Housewives. 

February Races that Weren't...Part 4...Happy Ending

Look at all those little bicyclers!

Run! Run! Run! February has been my month of well-intentioned races that have gotten eschewed. Read about my SNAFUs here. However, there's a happy ending to this second month of the year and my running plans. My first official race of 2014? The Chilly Cheeks Duathlon. 

Once again, my friend Allyson put her race-searching skills to the test and found me a great race-- and it wasn't far from my house. In fact, this race was at Cherry Creek State Park, a large park on a reservoir with a dam, and therefore fishing, boating, running, hiking, and biking pretty much year-round. I've been here several times because it's not a long drive from work or home, and one of my friends lives near by, so he and I have walked around the lake here. To be clear, I didn't bike the Duathlon-- bike for however-many-meters, then park your bike, change shoes, and run 4 miles. I have issues remembering to bring SHOES to a footrace, so I think I'll just stick to running-- not biking or swimming too. That's a lot of gear for me to leave at home accidentally! I just ran the 4-Miler.

There was no early packet pick-up, so I arrived early for the race. Those of you who know me realize that I am not very punctual. I was early! I parked, picked up my number, and finished getting my clothes, number, Body glide, ipod, and jacket situated. I wanted to make sure I could take off my jacket-- I got very hot when I was running during the Mustache Dash in November-- so I made sure my number was on my shirt, but not my jacket. Keys were tucked away, chapstick nearby, and playlist ready to go.

I love seeing the melting snow dusting the paths

I enjoyed watching the bikers getting prepared. Many came with families-- so there were little kids cheering their parents on or asking things like, "Daddy, why do you need a water bottle on your bike? Where are you going to put your bike when you're running? I can watch it for you!" The "Racing Underground" group seemed very organized and the volunteers were very helpful. They set the bikes off in waves so they wouldn't be too crowded. I've always enjoyed bicycling, but these people were serious! Serious outfits and shoes, contraptions strapped to their wrists or ankles, and intense-looking helmets...I tried not to gape.

I chatted with a couple of runners-- there weren't too many for this race. One was actually an Atlanta transplant too-- he'd done a Polar Bear plunge-- and had the shirt to show for it. Another lady, who took 1st place, was a marathoner and a hugger. People were friendly and supportive. It felt great to talk with people. We started at about 10:20 and had paths that were paved, parts of roads, gravel, mud, and a little bridge/boardwalk. I used the run-walk-run method, so I was happy with my pace. It was a VERY windy day, but warmed from the high 40's to the 50's during the race. I ended up first tucking my gloves in my waistband and then taking off my jacket and tying it around my waist. I was glad for the layers-- and glad I hadn't worn a hat.

You can definitely tell you're east of the Rockies here-- the fields and natural areas look just like prairies of Kansas. There were geese in some of the ponds that pepper the scene. I felt like I was looking at Laura Ingalls Wilder's By the Shores of Silver Lake as I listened to the geese honk. There's a field for model airplane flying-- saw some of those. You can tell the sky was gorgeous. It was a great day for a run.
I've gone several times for a walk around the Cherry Creek reservoir-- once when it was frozen through. Our path didn't take us too close-- but you can see the dam in these pictures too. I ran-walked-ran the whole way and dug in on some of the slopes and hills to face the wind. I paced myself with a mother-daughter team who were employing a similar method. I came up the final hill with kids (some with cowbells!), other runners, friends, and dogs cheering and clapping. My ipod had made it to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now," which was a pretty fitting final song, if I do say so myself.

Another dam picture

Did I mention I'm overwhelmed by the bikers' sheer amount of gear? Just to run, you still need a lot of stuff. Here's my front seat after the race (and even though my time isn't as fast as a lot of other runners, it's still cool to see my name in the results!) ...water bottles, snack bars, ipod and case, sunscreen, sweaty layers of clothes, changes of socks, and even SHOES! I was VERY happy my February race month ended well...the runner's high-- it can't be beat!

Only stopped for this one!

So. Much. Stuff.

February Races that Weren't...Part 3

On February 22, I attempted (see here) to run the Parker Valentine's Day 5k race. There were a few problems-- namely I forgot my shoes, I slipped in ice, and I lost the course. Bad stuff happens in threes, so they say...so I decided to cut my losses, and take my cold and soggy-bummed self home.

This nature preserve goes right up to backyards.

I checked on my phone GPS the route I was going to take home, and I noticed that there was a small "Ecological Park" on the way. I thought, vhat ees dees? And pulled off when I saw the parking area. It turned out it was part of the Cherry Creek Regional Trail (which is an awesome paved bike and running path that goes through the city of Denver) and a nature preserve. I will write a post at a later date with more of my pictures and my observations-- but this post is about the race that wasn't.

Since I was wearing my expensive (and slightly amazing) New Balance Lightning Dry pants, I realized that my bum was basically dry from having slipped in ice about 20 minutes before. I decided, you know? I wanted to run a 5k today. So what if I don't cross a finish line? I'll measure this bad boy and run a 5k here instead.

The clouds cleared up a little and I saw some people walking their dogs, running, and biking along the regional trail. The Ecological Park trail was all my own though! I set my running app and started to go!

Stinky goodwill shoes on a snowy path

Very cool path across the creek-- with deer tracks and natural drainage control

There were wooden bridges, gravel, paved paths, mud, dirt, and snow. There were ducks and geese and what I surmise were bird or bat homes on the underside of a bridge. It was a beautiful nugget of a preserved land practically in the city. I ran my little over 3 miles, so I considered my race well run.

Good work Arapahoe County and Colorado. Keep it natural. I needed this respite!

February Races that Weren't...Part 2

Adorable license plate shirt

My first race of 2014 didn't exactly work out. (See this post.)  I did get the shirt, so that's cool I guess. For my next race, my friend Allyson found this really cute 5k and 10k in Parker, which is about 25 minutes south of Denver, called the "Love 'em or Leave 'em Valentine's Day 5k/10k" in the city of Parker. Once again, I ventured to the "expo" the day before the race to pick up my shirt, number, and any goodies. The volunteers were very friendly; I was happy because I could scope out the path and parking before race day. I scored a 10 minute massage and LOT of mini Larabars and multigrain chips.  Yay for lunch-packing ease!

But oh my goodness, I sure can comically mess up a normal situation. It was rainy during the week, so there was mud and melting snow everywhere. Before I left, I walked Petey Bella in flip-flops because I didn't want to drive in muddy shoes. Once again, I was all prepared. I had my gear: my water bottle, my nuun tablets, my hat, ipod, sunglasses...ready to take on this beautiful day. Oh, did you notice anything missing from that list? Yes, you did. Shoes. One should be prepared for a race with shoes. SHOES!

Blissfully ready to run?

No, you are not ready to run.

I realized this error about 20 minutes before the race was to start. I'm not terribly familiar with any towns and stores around Denver, but especially not Parker. However, there was a silver lining-- Goodwill! I had been through Parker on my way to Castlewood Canyon-- and had to leave early due to torrential rains.  My phone GPS sent me on meandering roads to seemingly absent Target and Wal-mart stores, so I stopped at Goodwill. It was 50% off day, so the place was an absolute zoo. I sprinted to the back of the store, picked up a nice clean paid of Asics...that were a size 5. I hung my head, as only a sad Cinderella could, and picked up a pair of broken-in Swiss Gear trail shoes. They were WAY past their prime, but were my size 8. For 3.99, I was out the door and back on the way to the race. 

I made it to the race, found a parking spot, and saw that the race had already started. There were two different courses-- one for the 5k and one for the 10k. I tightened the laces on somebody else's stinky shoes, took a breath, and decided to go for it. The race had already started, but I was going to give it a shot anyway.  I rounded the first corner, stepped on a puddle of water that in fact turned out to be a sheet of ice, and slipped and crashed on my hand, cutting my palm open. Some nice joggers with a stroller asked if I needed help. 

I came around the next bend and realized that I was on the wrong course. The 10k one, not the 5k. I kept going, looking to see if they intersected and I could get back on the right path. That's when I realized that my hand was throbbing and probably needed to be cleaned, my feet were aching (already) from the ill-fitting shoes, and my bum was wet from slipping in the stupid ice. So I made a choice. The race was called "Love 'em or Leave 'em."

I left 'em.

P.S. What was running through my head as I drove around madly looking for replacement shoes? Katt Williams. Who doesn't bring shoes to a footrace? Me. I mean, Oscar Pistorious has to bring his FEET to a footrace. Glad I at least remembered those. It's NSFW, but it's hilarious...Poor Little Tink Tink. 

February Races That Weren't...Part 1

February has NOT been my running month. It's been difficult to run when it's very cold and damp (Denver doesn't really DO damp; low humidity is a hallmark of this place!) and there's been a lot of melting snow-- which means muddy paths and roads, not to mention ice. I have been to the gym for the treadmill and elliptical and I've been teaching swimming twice a week at the YMCA with my students, so I've been moving, but not necessarily running. (There was a well-intentioned, but poorly executed Tai-Chi class in there too.)  In case you missed it, my dog had a big cancer surgery, so she's been on a limited exercise regimen to help her paw heal. It's hard to keep a 65 pound beast who wants to run calm and still-- especially when you want to run with her!

Ready to run...

What was my solution? Sign up for races! Everyone has their own motivation for fitness, but money is definitely one for me. If I sign up for a race, I think about that money being out of my account and I want to make it worth it! I started with the Ralston 5k/Half Marathon in Arvada, Colorado. It's about 30 minutes west of Denver and I went to the packet pickup the evening before at the Runner's Roost store. I got horribly lost getting there, called the store and got a snarky response from the worker there. I stopped my car, cried, called my friend Dan, cussed a little, then pulled on my big-girl pants and found the damn store to get my number and shirt. 

The weather forecast was cold. Early February in Colorado could go either way with the weather-- sunny and clear, or snowy and windy. It had been below freezing all week, but was supposed to warm up to the 40's. It was actually in the 20's on the morning of the race.  I had my gear ready-- moisture wicking layers, body glide, hot hands, gloves, hat...the works. 

I went out to hop in the car, and my car wouldn't unlock. The lock was frozen shut. It's a new car (as of December) and only has one key lock and no key fob.  I tried methods I knew that might work, put a plea on facebook for any Northern friends who knew tricks...but nothing worked. I called AAA and they opened my door. It was too late to make it to the race. Bummer. 

My best friend (and biggest running fan) Allyson (and awesome writer) came to the rescue with a few more races she located in the area. I was NOT going to NOT run in February in Denver!

Shiny new National Park Pass

While I was in Atlanta for Christmas, my dad surprised me with a request for me to choose between a Colorado State Park pass or a National Park pass. I actually haven't been in Rocky Mountain National Park since I moved (I went frequently when I was here summer 2009) due to the flooding in the fall and the prevalence of state parks and open spaces near Denver. 

Hearty breakfast and National Park plans

I'm doing a little research online, dug out my RMNP guide book, and am eating a tasty breakfast-- eggs, homegrown sprouts, avocado, and blueberry-hazelnut bread from Great Harvest. I'm going to fill up my camelbak and head out on a Sunday hike.

It snowed last night (I LOVE THE SNOW SO MUCH!) so it's chilly this morning and there's a nice dusting of snow around-- so I'm excited to get bundled up and head into the mountains. I'm planning to head to the Emerald Lake Trail and see what I can see. It's a little gray out, but I think the clouds will clear so I can see more of this famous big blue Colorado sky. Stay tuned for an update post with some pictures!

Dream Lake (from the National Park website)