Slushy Snowy Trail Run

10 miles completed at Lair O' the Bear today on a gloriously slushy snowy trail! I wore my spikes the entire time as it was wet heavy snow atop slush atop ice. I felt like a kid tearing up that trail!

It was 51 degrees and moderately overcast when I hit the trailhead. I wore my CW-X capris (although could have easily gotten away with shorts today as long as I kept moving), a short sleeved top with arm warmers, light gloves, and traded in my Injinji socks for a pair of Smartwools for the expected wet feet. I also did a preventative light slather of Hydropel over my feet before I put my socks on. This time I started out with plenty of time to get back before dusk.

For the first 2.5 miles, the trail was pretty well packed from heavy use. I was able to cruise with my spikes on, even on the curve up the mountain at (approx.) mile 1.25. After the 2.5-ish mile mark the snow suddenly changed consistency from hard packed to firm wet snow atop slush (ice underneath that in spots, especially over rocks). This made me chuckle a little to myself as I have almost always found the magic number for mountain trail use being about 3miles. Meaning after this mark, the herd thins out significantly dividing the casual hikers out for some fresh air from the serious runners wanting to lose themselves in the woods. Not that one is better than the other, it's just an observation I've made.

 The trail was pretty empty. I passed one guy with his dog right at the beginning and towards the end, right before I turned around for an out-n-back run, I passed three dudes with three dogs. That was it. Argos and I had the trail completely to ourselves.

At some areas on the trail I was semi post-holing it. My feet would be gliding on the trail and suddenly my foot would punch through the top layer of snow and hit slush. I would feel my ankle twist and slide but my body was still propelling forward up/down the trail. I know, for sure, I am going to be sore tomorrow as my ankles and hips especially felt the workout right away. Sore...but a good sore!

I was yet again cussing out my good friend Paul for steering me towards the book "The Beast in the Garden" by David Burton. I outlined the book here. I finally finished the book just yesterday and felt my skin crawling and my senses on full alert while running. As much fun as I was having (and I was having a lot of fun), I just couldn't fully enjoy the run while scanning in all directions for the stealthy mountain lions wondering if I was currently enticing the unseen beast with my running. I felt like a dangling carrot.

I was torn between watching where I was running to avoid a serious face plant that could break a part of my body and looking intently around me for an attack. I really did enjoy the book and would highly recommend it, yet I questioned my sanity on how much knowledge I really wanted to acquire about these wild cats? Was it better to be slightly naive and blissfully ignorant? Ugh. I knew it was better to be aware and acknowledge that there are risks with nearly everything you do in this world, especially places so wild and free like the mountains of Colorado. But part of me wished I didn't know so much. I chalked it up to the similarities of the pros and cons of being in the medical field. Some days I am more glad than others for that knowledge.

The conclusion of the book summed up exactly what I wanted to hear nicely. Burton stated that although these are factual stories of habituated lions in this area, the statistics of an individual actually suffering an attack or, worse yet, a fatality are extremely rare. You are more likely to die from a motor vehicle accident or even acquiring Lymes disease from a tick than to meet a vicious mountain lion. Plus, the stories in the book have led to a more active role on disciplining habituated mountain lions. Rubber bullets, bean bag shooters, darts, and such aversion techniques are being used against overly friendly lions who wander into areas occupied by humans. They are aggressively taught now, even as kittens, that humans are not to be messed with and are not part of the food chain.

With nearly 3 miles left of my run I finally loosened up and stopped scanning the wilderness with an obsessive paranoia. I let it all go and just ran.

Run done and now cozy in bed with a snoring, dreaming pup at my side. I love Colorado and even its beautiful powerful mountain lions.