Whew…another week down, this one including some unexpected excitement on my long run. Last week was a little strange with a slow start and a long 40 mile weekend. The miles are adding up and after two 50+ mile weeks I am ready for a little step back week this week. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and recap week 5:

Monday: Easy 1 mile walk/jog with my puppies

Tuesday:  Short 3.1 trail miles at Bear Creek Lake Park

Wednesday: 6.27 miles around the neighborhood

Thursday: 2 mile easy run

Friday: 10 mile trail run at Lair o the Bear (very Cool trail, this will be a repeat, could have put in more miles here)

Saturday: 10 miles with Cory and my mom (stud) at Tellar Farms

Then hours at Cory’s company picnic where he tried a human sized hamster wheel (harder than it looks)

Sunday: 20 exciting (hot) miles at Devil’s Backbone between loveland and Fort Collins

Saturdays run was exciting due to my run in with a fairly large, pissed off rattle snake. I am always excited to see wildlife on my runs, I often see snakes and have ran into rattlers before but I have never been surprised by one before. As I was running I heard some rustling next to me on the side of the trail. Like a big dummy a came to a stop to see what adorable create must be lurking there. That’s when I saw the snake’s head rear back into strike position and the tail start to rattle. I believe a curse word came out of my mouth and I jumped down the trail. I was literally about six inches from this thing and came really close to being bit. Luckily I was not but I did have to go back by this angry MF since it was an out and back run. Apparently he really didn’t want to move since he was still there on our return trip. Luckily we knew he was there so we sprinted by and went on with our run.

Total miles ran or hiked: ~52.5 miles

Total hours training: 14:52

Overall great week, I feel solid, but ready for a step back, inclusion of swim/bike and a little trail race on the weekend. What are you racing this fall?

Wow, how is it the 6th of August already? I wanted to get down on “paper” all the fun that was had in July. July was a big month for me starting with moving into our new house!

We love it so much. It fits us wonderfully and has great access to back roads to ride on, trails to run on and an awesome outdoor pool. Too bad it is only open in the summer.

A few days after moving in we had our first  house guest when my cousin came to visit, it was awesome to have the space to host family.  We have had multiple BBQ with family and friends already.

There was also a lot of time  spent on the trails, racking up the most miles I have ever ran in in a month. It’s been fun exploring trails all over the state.

There was even a quick trail half marathon at Copper Mountain:     

And a fun swim in a relay with my stud of a dad. 

August looks like it will a great month too, with travel, race spectating/volunteering and more swim-biking to go along with my running.

Monthly Totals:
Miles Running: 158.7 miles
Miles swimming: 0.5 miles
Miles Biking: 0 (sad)

How was your July?