Thursday, June 30, 2011

Swim

Song of the day - Surfer Blood ~ Swim

An ode to Funderson and I's weekend plan of swimming in Long Lake, as each time I hear this song I think of the beach. Here's to our little beach with cold snow melt water goodness!
Also, as I've promised Chris K. I will post something of worth soon and look forward to catching up on all of your blog tales as well!



Peace...

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Custard Pie

Song of the day - Led Zeppelin ~ Custard Pie

A little Led for your head on a Tuesday.



Peace...

Monday, June 27, 2011

Sucked Out

Song of the day - Superdrag ~ Sucked Out




Peace...

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Acid Raindrops

Song of the day - People Under the Stairs ~ Acid Raindrops

The last two weeks have been busy, busy and I've had to change my schedule around. So, I've missed my blogging pals and been slack with the songs, but for those who dig I'll be better this week! Hope you all are having a WONDERFUL weekend!



Peace...

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Fisherman's Blues

Song of the day - The Waterboys ~ Fisherman's Blues

Classic, I realized I played another song with blues in the title earlier in the week, but have no fear I'm quite a happy lady!



Peace...

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Harlem River Blues

Song of the day - Justin Townes Earle ~ Harlem River Blues

He's got an incredible "old" country sounding voice...plus he's wearing a bow tie.



Peace...

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Trap Shut

I have been hearing faint whispers through town that Deer Creek Trail was ready.  So, yesterday I decided to give it a go and ready it was.  I didn't go all the way down into the town of Gothic because the last little bit of trail is a bit of a bore.  So, round trip was about 21 miles as I parked at the West Brush Creek split.  Also, I actually remembered my camera.  So, I'm going to keep my trap shut (for the most part) and let you enjoy the sights that I saw:

Trailhead for Deer Creek

Still some snow patches in the first section of the trail

Gothic Mountain...doesn't it just look like a beast?

Du na lu na lu wa, wa, wa (western movie sound), entering no man's land

Glacier lilies and skunk cabbage, one of those days when it almost hurts your eyes it's so bright with color.
One of about 18 water crossings, as it was an out and back I got to cross them all twice.  ADVENTURE!

Back up through the aspen, I swore I smelled a bear here, but it never found me if it was near.

Signs of sasquatch...no just JP

A crooked bunch

In case you were a bit lost.

This is a big wash that gives me vertigo as the trail runs right atop it.

Mount Crested Butte's behind

Lupine and larkspur on Brush Creek Road on the drive home
Happy Father's Day to all of you pops out there, hope that your day is just lovely!

Peace...

Friday, June 17, 2011

Change My Luck

Song of the day - Ordinary Peoples featuring Toothpick ~ Change My Luck

Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend!



Peace...

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Feel Good inc.

Song of the day - Gorillaz ~ Feel Good Inc.

LOVE these cats



Peace...

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Breathe

Song of the day - Telepopmusik ~ Breathe

This video kind of makes me motion sick, but I enjoy the tune by the French trio.




Peace...

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Hitch In the Giddy-up - Turkey Tracks Trail Marathon Report

Ladies weekend ADVENTURE! was a blast and full of giggling, running and ruining Funderson's lovely car with our stench. We arrived at our lovely somewhat difficult to find condo around 8:30 Friday night and headed out to find some food to fuel us for the next day. As with all small towns, the few places that we checked had unfortunately stopped serving food at 9 pm and it was now 9:23. So, we hit up the local grocery, found some good eats, scarfed down some once back at the condo and hit the hay. After tossing and turning a bit, we all arose and prepared.

We arrived at the start and picked up our packets, which were AWESOME:

I know a gray shirt, no guarantees how long this stays clean.


Milling about and chatting with fellow participants before we knew it we were lined up and it goes without saying, in the back. Funderson and I began the race together, which was wonderful. They mentioned some ups for the first mile or so, which were very mild. Then onto the jeep road, which at the latter is where I parted with Funderson. This then split back onto single track and a lovely section of rolling wooded trail. I passed some folks and others passed me as we all tried to find our comfortable cadence.

At mile 4 we came to the first aid station and I rolled through, as I still had a full pack of water and had packed everything, but the kitchen sink. This trail was a large loop down through a rolling, relatively flat section of single track. I felt like I was ON FIRE and just was moving. Towards mile 7.5-8, I came up on Hurricane Carter, who is lovely little spitfire of a woman also from the Butte. We had a quick chat and I went motoring along. Nearly back to the aid station people started flying past from behind, and then thoughts started swirling wondering if we had to do a second loop, cripes. This was not the case and apparently some folks took some wrong turns ending up being off course for 5-45 minutes which included some of the elites. Sometimes those flags are just hard to see.

I grabbed a swig of coke going through the second aid station, which was at about mile 8. Then, began climbing the jeep road to the 9 mile course split for the full and half. Rolled off onto the single track and finally felt as though I found my groove, it hadn't ever taken this long in a race, but really took a long while for people to spread out. This section was uneventful and I continued the forward motion to enjoy the mule's ear and other lovely wildflowers along the trail. I continued onto the next aid station and they were overjoyed that I was #22 and that I was safe. Apparently, no one had seen me pass through the previous aid station and were concerned that I might have been among the lost souls. I refilled my backpack and grabbed a gel and took off again.

The trail went down into a gully and curved around. At about mile 13, I tripped, which happens quite often, but this time I caught myself...BIG MISTAKE. I should have just taken a digger. Instead, I whapped my head on a tree and twisted my knee, dang. Shook my head a bit and took the first step to start again and BAM it was like someone was stabbing me in the side of my right knee with a knife. Thoughts are swirling around in my head now, what should I do? Return back to the aid station I was just at, try to make it to the next at ~16 miles...MOTHER OF PEARL! I say eff it I'm going at least to the next aid station. This was THE longest section of a race I have ever experienced, mentally and physically battling to plug along. As I was coming up on the next aid station, here comes Hurricane. She said she thought I was having heat distress as I looked drunk from behind. She actually was battling the heat and stayed there as I took off again after filling my pack with water again.

The thought of not finishing to me was more painful that my knee, which tells me: 1. That my knee doesn't have anything TOO major wrong; and 2. How absolutely stubborn I am. We followed the jeep road to a single track that took off to the left and headed down hill for a while. I heard Hurricane's boisterous voice coming from behind and got off the trail for her to pass. She headed up the next hill and about 5 minutes later I heard her screams. I start feverishly trying to hobble up the hill as fast I could. When I came upon her, she was resting under some trees with a mountain biker, but had been charged by two dogs with their teeth bared whose horse-back riding owners were unresponsive to her request to have them call off the dogs. Luckily, the dogs didn't bite. We started together and were able to make our way together for about two miles. This time was wonderful to talk to her and learn more about her. She also asked what the hug happened to me and I explained. Then, told her I was going to make it I just had a hitch in my giddy-up. She took off about a half a mile from the next aid station and looked strong.

We caught back up as I filled my pack and grabbed a couple orange slices at the aid station. She was trying to finagle someone to help wrap up my knee.  I said not to worry and was off again trailing her at first and then she was just a speck on the trail in front of me.  This was a 5 mile section to the finish.  I knew that I was nearly there now.  I held the conversations from the previous 21 miles with me there.  This trail rolled through open meadows and was mostly single track.  I had perfected my giddy-up to minimize rage from the knee, but overcompensating with my other leg left my left foot screaming a little for "uncle."

As I started down the jeep road that lead back to the finish, my mind was overwhelmed with thoughts of seeing my friends and the finish.  Since I had the trip up at mile 13, I couldn't get the thought out of my head that it happened as bad karma because I didn't look back and wish my ladies good luck and bid them farewell.  As I came, down the hill this emotion crashed on my heart like waves on the rocks and I was fighting off tears, not at physical pain in the slightest, but from the worry that I hadn't been a good friend.

A gentleman passed from behind and asked if I was okay, I said thanks I just flubbed up my knee a bit and will be there shortly.  A short time later, there was Uneeda at a corner in her beautiful orange tee shirt like a ray of sunshine.  After running her race and being sore, there she was to run me in and then we rounded the corner and there was Funderson's smiling face.  I crossed the finish in 6 hours 45 minutes with tears streaming down my face and hugs from wonderful friends.

After an ice bath directly following the race, elevating and icing my knee, a beer and some ice cream, my knee is feeling much better and I gave it a go this evening with a slow 5 mile.  So far so good...

This race was GREAT.  They said a good one for transitioning from road to trail marathon/half-marathon and I agree.  The elevation gain was only about 1500 feet for the marathon and was very gradual.  The course support was brilliant, great snacks and smiling faces. A wonderful organization to support. Pagosa further into summer than we are and it was lovely to see the fully-leaved trees, flowers and grass.  I would definitely do this race again and recommend it to all!  Plus, look at this sweet medal:

Who knew a peace sign was just a turkey track?


I leave you with a photo of a waterfall leaving Pagosa heading up towards Wolf Creek Pass:




Peace...


Loch Lomond

Song of the day - Off Kilter ~ Loch Lomond

Shamus and I saw these guys years ago and they give a fun twist on this traditional tune, which I love as well.



Peace...

Monday, June 13, 2011

Where Is My Mind

Song of the day - The Pixies ~ Where Is My Mind

A little Monday tune and a race report to come at some point here or there...



Peace...

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Ride Of Your Life

Song of the day - Gift of Gab ~ The Ride of Your Life

Gift of Gab is best known for being part of the Bay Area hip-hop duo Blackalicious with DJ Chief Xcel. He has an amazing verbal dexterity and enunciation in his songs.



Peace...

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Anyone Else But You

Random 3:

1. I am stoked to now be wearing these kick ace shoes. I'm easing myself into them and started with a short 4 miler on Tuesday. I am happy to report that they are now sufficiently muddy, as trail/fell shoes should be. I am saddened to report that my aspirations of being a foot model have been squashed at my blackened, half on/off toenails.

2. Yesterday, I was offered a new job and I've accepted! My stomach has been a wreck all week: first about having the interview, next about having the second interview, then about calling to hear yea or nay, about having to tell my current boss and finally about making sure the new person is trained. I am really excited about the new opportunity, but am such a sap and feel bad about leaving where I am at currently. Then to make me feel even worse, my boss said yesterday "I feel like I am losing my best friend." I've been thinking about this over and over again and am a bit bewildered that he would say such a thing, as yes I do know most everything there is to know about him, but he really knows next to nothing about me except the day to day exterior facade of JP. It actually makes me a bit sad on so many levels, sorry to be a downer.

3. On a fun note, Funderson, Uneeda and I are going on a Pagosa Springs Marmot ADVENTURE! weekend. They will be running the Turkey Tracks 1/2 trail marathon and I'll tearing it up at the full trail marathon. The race is sponsored by the local brewery, Pagosa Springs Brewing Company. So, it should be a great girlie weekend with an exciting report to follow.

Funderson and I have heard recently of a new fad of sending marmot photos to other people, so this is my gift to you all via her of what looks to be an angry yellow-bellied marmot.

Song of the day - The Moldy Peaches ~ Anyone Else But You

"We both have shiny fits of rage..."



Peace...

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I Can Talk

Song of the day - Two Door Cinema Club ~ I Can Talk

This is a band from Northern Ireland and this song is from their 2010 album "Tourist History." Careful, it kind of gets in your head.



Peace...

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Evil Woman

Song of the day - Electric Light Orchestra ~ Evil Woman

Claaaassssicccc



Peace...

Monday, June 6, 2011

Vasoline

Song of the day - Stone Temple Pilots ~ Vasoline

Scott Weiland, back then was good stuff.



Peace...

Friday, June 3, 2011

My Chick Bad

Song of the day - Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj ~ My Chick Bad

Okay, this song is for P., which I'm pretty sure was joking, but hopefully at least it gives you a laugh, sir. I have to admit that I'd heard OF Nicki Minaj, but never heard her music...yes I do live under a rock. Not really my bag, but I'll give anything at least one go.

To go along with the Song of the day, here's something for a Friday chuckle...




Peace...

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Dead Flowers

Random 3:

1.  After the long winters here, we are so color starved that it is a jubilant occasion once the wildflowers start to present themselves and the first signs of life are HERE:

Glacier Lilies on Woods Walk trail

Mount Crested Butte

2.  We were taking care of this little chihuahua named Bean for about 3 weeks, who is in love with our dog Natty.  His admiration for her sort of reminds me of Pepe Le Pew...


Bean will share the bean bag with NO ONE, but "mon cherie"
3.  Shamus and his friend Brian brew their own beer.  As the newest addition to this process, they decided to try to grow their own hops.  So, what started out as this:

Baby hops
Has now turned into this in just a month and a half:
A HUGE vine that has twine strung back and forth across the ceiling


Song of the day - Townes Van Zandt ~ Dead Flowers

Beauty...



Peace...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Jaw Modulation

Song of the day - Headset featuring Beans ~ Jaw Modulation

Love this fellow, Beans.



Peace...