fun

Had a great last few days this weekend! Saturday night started with my wonderful friend, Jessica making me dinner- what a treat! Then we met a group of friends over at the Colorado College quad to watch the movie 'Up!' outside, under the stars. It made me feel like a kid again, pulling out the blankets, taking my shoes off. If you haven't seen this movie, you must. Within all of the laughs, the movie portrays hand fulls of very important life lessons. My favorite: Elle's Adventure Book and her desire to fill up her "Stuff I will be doing" pages. Love it.

Sunday morning, our group took a short trip up to Monument for a run up to Palmer Lake. The weather was perfect, gorgeous scenery, and even though I was with my dear friends, this run was anything but enjoyable or easy. I think I realized at the end of this run, that the rest of the clan was in the same boat. Thank you Jessica for listening to my complaining. I'm like Russell, "I'm tired, can we stop??!!"... as he gets dragged on his face.

After a shower and a trip to the store, Dani, Jill and I were on our way up to 11 Mile Reservoir for an over-night camping adventure. In typical CO fashion, we enjoyed our walk along the water with a short, mid-afternoon drizzly rain...but were rewarded by a beautiful rainbow! We all laughed as we each found ourselves preparing to build a fire for the first time on our own...this meaning we've never been the chief officer in the process. But we actually did a great job and weren't faced with any obstacles!!
Once we had the fire roaring...we busted out the winezo and delicious food! Seriously...who eats like this when camping?...we obviously do. Dani made her special mexican avocado/black bean dish with chicken. We also had guacamole chips, spinach salad with tomatoes, almonds and feta cheese. Heather- I know you are proud!
After dinner, we positioned some heavenly, Bailey's-dipped marshmallows over the fire. Thank you Dani (or her daughter Chandra I should say), for the grand idea...I don't know if I can eat mallows plain again. We sat by the fire until midnight, just enjoying the outdoors and the company of one another, and then it was bed time. We awoke to a absolutely gorgeous morning; the water quiet and blue. Thanks to no form of hot water (Dani and I assumed the other was bringing-whops!), we packed up and were on our way to hot coffee and breakfast nearby.
This afternoon, I enjoyed some Mommy time as we walked and window shopped in Old Colorado City...love her. This weekend was so fulfilling and I am so happy I had the opportunity to soak up the outdoors while we still have a few nice days left!

something new

So change came...and I love it. I used to hate the color brown, and for some reason I am feeling the need to embrace it. The girl in the heading picture above is my cousin, Ms. Erinn Marie. Love you! It was when we were visiting my grandparents down in Port Aransas, TX, March of this year.

Sunday morning's run was an interesting one. After only 4 1/2 hours of sleep (thank you fun downtown with friends the night before- a rarity), I started out this literally foggy run in quite a brain fog. Jessica, Jane, Dani, Staci, Randi, Megan, and I all started out at the trail head on 31st street. We headed up the Hogback trail and then connected to the Section 16 loop...hiked up the steep part, glided down the glorious downhill. By the time we got back down to the cars on 31st street, the total run ended up being about 45 min longer then planned (about 10.?? miles total). Would have normally been a great ending, going further than intended...but not when my family was picking me up for a birthday brunch in 25 min- crap!! Hurried, showered and it was off to grandpa's bday brunch at The Pantry- yum!

A two hour nap later Sunday afternoon helped bring my brain back to normal function- thank goodness! I just love being out there with my friends...we all admit that we end up going harder, faster, longer when together...rather than on our own. Is this true for life as well?...I think so.

Monday a group of five (4 girls, one guy) helped Chelsea's co-worker (Terry and Linda, from her hospital- in their early 60's) , move their belongings into their new place. The small group of us, alone, unloaded the largest U Haul available to rent in 3 1/2 hrs! The 1st third of the truck was filled with the normal house-hold items...couches, dressers, boxes, shelves. But the last 2/3's of the truck was filled with Terry's contracting supplies...cement mixer, 4 wheel barrels, paint buckets, table saws...wowzers! We were dirty, sweaty and huffin' it! But, we finished and enjoyed some well-deserved Chipotle. My forearms are horrendously sore today- geez. It was fun to be together and give them a helping hand...we had many hilarious moments, so worth it!

I am so looking forward to this weekend! A nostalgic camping spot up at 11 Mile Reservoir has Jill, Dani and my name on it for one night. Dani will be introducing us to Bailey's-dipped roasted marshmallows- yes! More on this at a later date. :)

Ending this post with a few family photos from Maddy's bday at Adam's Mtn Cafe in Manitou, early August.

change

Pondering changing up my blog a bit...new pics, layout...all of it:). Brooks' new layout gave me inspiration. I feel a change a'comin.

Until then...a fun pic of the Burrito (Rowen) I took at the Garden 10 Mile race. She's in the tree at Memorial Park in Manitou.

bye Heather! :(

Pics from Heather's last girls night here in CO:(. Trinity was the best and we were happy to introduce her to the glorious sweet potato fries! Heather and I are totally sporting the post-yoga sweat-fest-look. Well, maybe I just am. I'd say we look pretty cute given we were dripping at CorePower, thanks to Lora, right before this!

Hugs to you dear Heather...thanks for the time! Safe travels back to Nashville!

memories

My mom sent me this awesome picture of some of the Keaveny's...love it! My dad is in the red printed shirt, my mom in the blue swim suit top. My brother Adam is standing wrapped up in a towel, the smaller of the two...and then there's me standing beside him. I'm taking a shot in the dark, thinking this is around 1990-ish? :)

breathe

This weekend provided me with exactly what I needed... wandering in mountains and a chance to breathe.

It all started Sunday morning when Heather, Dani, Jess and I hike Mount Esther and the Garden of Eden up in Green Mountain Falls. I haven't "hiked", without the intent of running in I don't know how long. It was absolutely heaven to take in every sight, sound, smell, breeze the day had to offer without fighting to catch my breath and wondering how fast I was going. We had lots of great conversations and many laughs. We so enjoyed having Heather around and getting to know her. She has one more week here and then she and CD are back to Nashville. :( 3 and a half hours later we arrived back at Dani's house. Tired and sunburned, but in a different non-running-early-Sunday morning kind of way. A few glasses of water and then it was up to Woodland park for some Mexican food at Fiesta Mexicana! One (not small) margarita made us all ready for the deserved afternoon nap!

No true nap for me Sunday afternoon. I showered, packed and Chelsea and I ventured up to Florissant for an overnight tent camp! After setting up our tent (on our own, and a very well done job I might add), we headed back down to the local bar: The Thunderbird Inn...which is in fact not truly and Inn, but an establishment with a women's bathroom with no doors on the stall, but a clear view of the other restroom visitor through the sink mirror- classic. My second visit to the restroom this evening, I scared a woman half to death and basically made her fall into the toilet, bracing herself as best she could using the stall walls- nice Jillian. A few missing teeth and bar tricks by married men had run it's course and we were off to the campsite for yummy s'mores and a fire.

After sleeping in until 9:30am, and grabbing some coffee in town...Chelsea and I packed up our tent and drove up a little further on Hwy 24 and found a great dirt road by the river, perfect for a run before heading home. It was the perfect temperature out, clouds and no sun. We soaked in the unfamiliar scenery and 40 minutes just flew by.

A lunch stop at Joannies in Woodland Park filled our bellies and home was not too far from there. What an amazing time...loved every minute of it. Thanks friends, for making this weekend so fulfilling, and such a change of pace.

footwear...

Do most people's rugs by the door look like this??

New at Trinzo...

Something new we're involved with..should be a fun time! Great for us westside/downtowners!

http://www.trinitybrew.com/Soul_Runners.html

Best of luck to Brooks, JT and Tony at this weekend's Leadville 100!

JT- what is the prospect # of beers you will consume during the actual 100 miles? If I was there, I would definitely drop the camera and throw a margarita at you...wait, maybe on you just to make you sticky and miserable. :)

PPA/PPM weekend!

What a great day...watching the start and finish of the Pikes Peak Marathon! It was pretty amazing having the opportunity to cheer on 1st place male and female, and many friends who have been training for this day for months. We positioned ourselves along the wall in front of the Miramont Castle and had a perfect view of the runners coming around the corner on Ruxton Ave. Jessica finished so strong...and honestly we were very thrilled to see no blood or dirt anywhere but her shoes, since it seemed 8 out of 10 runners that ran past us had fallen at some point during the race. Sunburned, tired and hungry, Dani and I stopped at the Spice of Life for a much needed sandwich-yummo!

A couple hours later, I was off to meet Heather (yes, of the famous 'Heather Eats Almond Butter') at my favorite, Core Power Yoga studio, for some flowing time! Monika was outstanding as usual...thank you! After the sweat session, we joined CD, John, Cindy, Mary Claire, Jonathan, and the Burrito at The Loop! Heather and CD are as real as them come...I really look forward to more time with them while they are here!

words through photos...

pics from Maili's wedding!

well, hello...

Today I visited an old friend: Section 16. Seriously, I was thinking while I was running that this trail is exactly like visiting with an old, good friend that you haven't seen in a while. The beginning is a little rocky (the uphill hike that is not so fun) as you think maybe we aren't on the same path...but then, on the backside of the mountain, you realize why you were such good friends before...true beauty, true connection. Even though I got a late start...and was awfully salty/sweaty, this run was just what I needed after a motivating viewing of the Cheyenne Canon race on Sunday. Wow, that was truly inspiring. The men's and women's races were separated...and for the women's we watched from the very top climb/turnaround...and for the men, we stood right at the loop/water stoop connection, at which they passed three times. The top two men and women secured a spot on the Teva USA Mountain team that will travel to Italy to compete this year. Unfortunately, my friends Gina and Alex were a few spots behind the top two to make the team:(.

http://www.gazette.com/sports/short-59160-national-alex.html

routine?

Guess I have felt I've been living a pretty routine life recently these days. Lots going on this Summer with outdoor activities, races, bike-riding adventures, drinks on porches, yogatanza, and oh yeah, work. Soaking it all in, trying to be balanced...work, play, workouts, sleep...etc. Loving the time with my friends, and new challenges (mountain biking & and upcoming hike up pikes peak with a mid-hike sleep over at Barr Camp).

BTMR...Bday's...

So a few things went right on Sunday morning at the Barr Trail Mountain Race...(slept well the night before, shaved off a few minutes on the ascent to Barr Camp)...and a few things went wrong...(didn't hydrate enough, resulting in cramping hammies and calves the entire way down). Even though I was huffing and puffing the whole way up...I was feeling in much better shape then last year and enjoying running/seeing friends on the trail. Whether it was running along side part of the way, or hearing my name shouted at split spots/aid stations...there's something special about doing a race surround by familiar faces.

After making the turn around up at Barr Camp, I was excited to start the decent...my favorite part of the race, the part at which I'm most confident. The first mile was great, footing was on track, breathing back to manageable. Then I felt it...the first hamstring twinge (one of 4) right before Bob's road on the first flatter section of the downhill. Since I've been running (races and training runs included), I've never dealt with a cramping situation. Crap, I thought. What is happening? Did I not hydrate enough? ...I drank at every aid station...Is my lower back causing this? Crap! Thank god Staci had convinced me that morning at o'dark thirty (5:30am) to put salt pills (something I've never used) in my shorts key pocket. I found a lady stretching against the tree and in my desperation asked her for a drink of water in fear I may totally cramp up before reaching the next aid station. I think she heard the panic in my voice and graciously handed me one of her water bottles. I honestly think those 3 pills got me to the finish of the race. From there until the finish line my hamstrings and right calf cramped a few more times and I basically stiff-leg ran the rest of the way. Tears welled a few times and I was nervous to think of a. what emotion would come when seeing all my friends and family at the bottom of Hydro Street waiting for me and b. what the body would do when it suddenly hit the asphalt and had to change direction to again uphill to the finish. My heart was filled as I came around the corner and there were all the faces, smiling and cheering me on. I hobbled up Hydo and crossed the line about 15 seconds faster than last year. Geez...what a race.



I sit here this am, stiff as all get out, happy to have done it, happy to have been a part of the day. Thanks to everyone who came and supported me!

On to Bday's! Yesterday was also Christy's birthday and we had a fabulous celebration at Amanda's Fonda! Margs, yummy food, and lots of laughter made for a totally fun time! A perfect way to end the day! :)

Happy day...

What a wedding for Maili (Reemster) and Joey! I had so much fun last week with all the wedding festivities...nights out, time with the girls, dressing up, a beautiful Fourth of July evening at Hillside gardens! I was so honored to be a part:).