Cottonwood Creek 2.5 mile loop
From Union and Dublin go east on Dublin to the second Montarbor turn left and park by the soccer field.
Starting at the soccer field going west along Montarbor Dr. for about 300 yards then down next to the creek all the way to Union, cross the creek then east on the north side to Rangewood Dr. then cross the creek again and back to the soccer field.
Easy two and a half mile run or walk and has been one of my training runs for about five years.

Montarbor Dr. on the lift.
Down next to the creek.

All the way to Union.

East on the north side of the creek.

Back to the soccer field.

Pikes Peak Greenway Trail

is a great running, biking, horse back riding, and walking trail going north from woodman it’s my choice for training. The new mile markers added this year are a great improvement. The parking lot is about a quarter mile west of I25 on Woodman on the north side of the road next to the railroad tracks.

This 17-mile trail runs north/south through Colorado Springs. The long range goal is a continuous trail from Wyoming to New Mexico.

Connecting Trails:
La Foret Trail
Cottonwood Creek Trail
Rockrimmon Trail
Ute Valley Trail
North Douglas Creek Trail
Templeton Gap trail
Sinton Trail
Rock Island Trail
Palmer-Mesa Trail
Midland trail
Shooks Run Trail
Springs Creek Trail
Sand Creek Trail
Chamberlain Trail

See you there!

Great Trail at Woodman & I25

7 mile run
9/8/08 time 57:16

Pikes Peak Ascent August 16, 2008

I survived the August 16th Blizzard of 08.

First look at Pikes Peak the next day

Starting the race in the rain By Memorial Park in Manitou the temperature was around 48 degrees but above tree line every thing changed. Blinding snow and hail, below freezing with 25+ miles an hour wind Ice covered rocks and white out conditions. The common theme with people I talked to went from thinking of finishing the race to survival.
The race officials stopped and turned runners around when it got dangerous, 1927 started and 760 finished.

You runners who were turned around Be Thankful many who thought they were prepared were not, a windbreaker was far from adequate the EMS people were very busy dealing with Hypothermia.

The EMS people and all the volunteers in the medical tent went above and beyond.
Everyone connected with the Ascent today did everything humanly possible to make sure we were safe and taken care of in the absolute worst weather conditions.

6:00 AM not many here yet

6:15 AM Runners starting to show up

Staying out of the rain

Stop laughing at the guy that’s looks like a duck, it’s me.
By the time I got through town to the trail head it got very hot under that plastic rain poncho so I pulled it up around my neck with it streaming behind me, which worked great until it got hung up on a fence post and just about put me down. About twenty runners passed me before I could get it loose.

6:50 AM

7:00 AM Wave One

7:30 AM Wave Two

Picture of the Finish Line
http://mountainrun.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/pikes-peak-ascent/

Article by Kate Crandall from THE GAZETTE

http://www.gazette.com/articles/gutierrez_39402___article.html/peak_won.html

The Pikes Peak Ascent is in my blood.

The count down timer on the Ascent web site was at 359 days to the 2009 Ascent when Paul, Mark and I got together and started discussing our plans on how we will run the Ascent next year. If it’s in your blood you can't help yourself.

Read my Pikes Peak Ascent post from Friday August 15th.
What I did to prepare.
IT WAS NOT ADEQUATE!

Pikes Peak Ascent August 15, 2008
http://www.thetcr.com/
13.32 miles long with 7,815’ of altitude gain
Starts in Manitou Springs and finishes on the top of Pikes Peak.

Friday 8/15/2008 Getting ready for the Ascent.

It's been raining on and off all day, mostly on.
Picked up our packets at Memorial Park in Manitou today every one was talking about the weather.
I asked Matt Carpenter what his number one piece of advice was for the race tomorrow.
He said “Have some kind of shell” for the weather.

Friday night and Saturday weather forecast:

Tonight: This is August 15
Low around 29. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total night time snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
The race starts at 7AM Saturday

Saturday:
Snow showers likely before 10am, then rain showers likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Some runners will be out in the weather for 6 hrs. Are we crazy!

In 2004 it snowed 6” over night and the race was postponed 30 minutes to plow the roads so they could get to the top.

In 2005 it hailed 6" I was one of the lucky ones I finished 10 minutes before it started hailing.

Checking all my gear:
Hat
Gloves
Wind breaker
Fuel Belt with two water bottles and pouch
Emergency rain poncho
Scotch Gard outdoor water shield
Clif Shot Blocks
Clif Energy Bar 30 min. before the race.
Hammer Gel
Hammer Gel Ultra Endurance Fuel
Tums
Last year I ran out of energy at about 12’000 feet, not this year.

This is not a race it’s and adventure!

Classic 10K

July 26, 2008

Colorado Springs, Colorado

647 finished

315 men

331 women

If you have never run a 10k this should be your first it's a great race all down hill.

Results http://www.ccrtiming.com/races/results/2008/08classic.htm

Runners Are The Greatest.

Out and Back, Up and Down

995' up and 995' down

With a few hills thrown in for good measure.

Starting at 6,170' and 7,165' at the turn around

Summer Round Up 12k

July 6, 2008

667 finished

Bear Creek Park not far from Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs not an easy race, a mini Pikes Peak Marathon. I have not been able to run the whole race yet and this is my forth time. About 3 miles in it pitches up and I have to walk a little over a quarter mile. Once you hit the turnaround it's down hill for the next mile and a quarter, as fast or faster than you want to go. Then back into the park and up and down for two and a half miles. I always look forward to getting back into the park. This race is not easy; going out (up) my time was 38:36 and coming back (down) 26:00. If you are the type of person who likes a challenge and enjoys the feeling of accomplishment it's a great race, but don't let this article deter you first timers. You can make it as hard or as easy as you want to.

http://www.summerroundup.com/index.htm

The Start 7:00 AM

Gerald B Romero

First Place Over all Time 48:00

Great Job Gerald!!!!!!

Two minutes to go.

Santa is that you?

Free rubdowns after the race makes it all worth it.


He has more energy than I do after a race.



Hot Stuff!




Great friend's great time.





All in the family the Maas family.
Notice the two horseshoe trophies, but I know there is at least three.



First in my age group.




George on the right and Richard one of the younger guys.
They both had great runs.



Paul, Mark, Jim, and Don, Don, Don... well never mind.


There is always a line before the race.

Sailin Shoes 2008

6/21/08

Downtown Colorado Springs

1022 runners in the 5k & 10K

Girls just wanna have fun.

We are runners!

I don't know where these people work? But they sure look familiar.

Don runs the 10k Ten K's make me tired.

Lynn on the left beat me by four seconds for second place.

That's right USMC

Neal & Martha

Martha holds the Pikes Peak Ascent record for her age group.

Two years ago running the Ascent she stayed out on the trail in the

hail when others were running for cover.

Thirty Two weeks I am impressed!

Frances did great running the 10k and she is a flat lander.

Great Day!

Garden of the Gods 10 mile

6/8/2008

Up at 5:00 AM coffee, breakfast, checked the weather, cloudy and cool 49 degrees Perfect for a run in the garden.

Future runner looking for a high five and Paul runs to serve.

One of the two long up hills but there is nothing flat about the Garden of the Gods.

Paul giving Nancy his water bottle, said he will never carry it again.

Garden of the Gods a Beautiful place to take a stroll with your friends all 1,470 of them.

If you are a runner and you have never run the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs then go.

Garden Of the Gods 5k and 5 mile

The Garden of The Gods 5k and 5 mile runs are two of the most scenic races in the country.

When I got up at 6 AM it was 22 degrees out, I had a cup of coffee ran a half mile on the tread mill then ate breakfast. My wife Linda has been fixing menus from Runners World ( http://www.runnersworld.com/ )and it has made a big difference in my strength and endurance.

We had to park at Verizon parking lot at Garden of the Gods Road and 30th Street about two miles away and take busses to the Garden, with over 600 runners it could have been a nightmare but the coordination was great with plenty of busses and no waiting time.

Arriving at the Garden of the Gods about 7 it was still below freezing but the sun felt warm and there wasn’t a breath of air. It was going to be a perfect day for running.
The first mile was all up hill continually getting steeper until you go over the top. Then the 5 milers split off and head toward balanced rock and we continue the loop back to the start finish. There are no flat running areas in either race you’re either going up or down but after that first mile it’s running at its best.

I finished first in my age group and 23 over all men (113) with a time of 22:43, my target time was 21:44 which I ran in 2004 but I was two minutes faster than last year. Last year was my fat year I was twelve pounds over weight and wasn’t able to train like I wanted. We had a great time with great friends and looking forward to the next race.

Way to go Jesse!!!!

Boston Marathon 2008

Jesse (center in the white & blue)

finished 115 over all with a time of 2:36:15

Way to go Jesse!

My family

The Greatest family anyone could ever hope for. My wife and I have three daughters, one son, three son in laws, and six grand children the youngest was born 4/16/2008 and the oldest is three.

Start of the Ascent 1800 in two waves

After my first Ascent in 2004 setting with Johnnie, my daughter Jackie, Granddaughter Madison, and My daughter Kim's husband Jason

2007 Races

Garden of the Gods 10 mile start.

Paul he is cool. Mark in the black on the left.

Richard at balanced rock.

Me in the red & blue Garden of the God's 2007 Start Pikes Peak Marathon 2007

Seeing Richard the Iron Man off at the Pikes Peak Marathon the day after the Ascent. He is registered for the 2008 marathon which will be his sixth year in a row.

Nancy , Mark, and I at the Summer Round Up 12k Nancy's first 12k.

She did great!

The Summer Roundup Trail Run 12K Starts at about 6,170',

and the elevation at the turn around point is about 7,165'.

That’s 995' elevation gain in 3.7 miles.

3rd place at the Summer Round Up 12k.
Mark and I just after the Ascent at the finish line we had to set down, it's hard to even think after that race.

Alex Hoag Run for Sunshine 2005

Only 100 yards to go I can't let these kids beat me

Starting Line

Starting line for the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon. The small line going up from the right side of the banner is the incline. The finish line for the Ascent is top center where there are no trees.

Garden Of The Gods 10 mile 2005

Garden of the Gods, I think is the hardest race in town if you are running competitively and it is one of the most scenic if you are running for fun. I'm in the yellow and blue.