Friday on my mind. Snake on the trail.

Got in a 5-miler last Friday. The usual, started from the Boulder St. steps on the Pikes Peak Greenway trail. I run out 2.5 miles and turnaround. Sure enough, on the return trip, just about to go under the Unitah Street bridge ... I glance over to my left ... SNAKE ON THE TRAIL. Why do snakes cross the trail? To get to the other ssssssssside I guess. This one was no doubt heading for Monument creek. Still a great, great run. Hope you got out, too.

Cinco De Mayo - Snake-Oh! De Mayo

A beautful Cinco De Mayo and I take off on a lunchtime 5-mile run. I start at America the Beautiful Park just off of Colorado Ave., just west of downtown Colorado Springs. I cross the pedistrian bridge from the park and make my way north from mile marker 30 to the turn around at Fonternero (Mile Marker 32.5) on the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail. The trail actually crosses over Monument Creek (a concrete bridge) just below Bijou Street. I'm on the way back and just about to the finish line at mile marker 30 (5 miles round trip) and there, about 6-feet in front of me ... SNAKE ON THE TRAIL! He slithers across heading back to the creek. Glad I saw him when I did! Still it was a great run! Hope you got out, too.

A mid-week run worth talking about.

Did the 4-mile lunchtime run. Started at the Boulder Street steps and headed north on the Pikes Peak Greenway trail. It was down-right hot! So yes, again I was a no-shirt guy. Happy to say no SNAKES ON THE TRAIL encounters to report. However, noticing more and more grasshoppers springing to life and other than that Wilderness dude on the Discovery Channel, what or who enjoys eating a tasty grasshopper? Snake. Watch your step. Hope you were able to get out today.

Shiny, Happy People.

Maybe it was because those tax rebates began showing up in our bank accounts today ... or maybe it was because it's Monday, a bit overcast with temps in the 60s (GREAT running weather ANYWHERE!) ... really not sure, but it seemed like everyone I passed on the trail today either waved or gave me a smile as I passed them by (and I wasn't even a no-shirt guy!) Now add NO SNAKES ON THE TRAIL encounters to deal with and you've got one Colorado runner who thoroughly enjoyed his 4-mile lunchtime run today on the Greenway trail along Monument Creek in Colorado Springs. Hope you got out, too!

It's Friday and I'm going for a run.

TGIF - A 5-mile lunch time run on the Greenway trail in Colorado Springs only this time I start from America the Beautiful Park (there is a pedestrian bridge from the "Downtown Reach" of the trail). Once you cross the bridge, turn right ... there is a mile marker after you go under Colorado Avenue. By doing this, I'm adding a mile to the regular 4-mile run that starts from the Boulder Street steps. A little breezy (what's new). It's a good run. I turn around now 2.5 miles out (Fontenero Street). Happy to report no SNAKES ON THE TRAIL encounters - but what is really neat about running on the trails in the Pikes Peak region ... you never know what you are going to see. Today it's a red fox. He's down on the banks of Monument Creek ... got his eye on something ... after all, it is lunch time! Mild weather expected this week (70s for a couple of days)! See you on the trail.

Second snake of the season.

I have discovered the one word that will stop a family of 5 walking two dogs on the trail ... SNAKE. The second I uttered that word ... the entire family came to a halt. With that being said, my second SNAKES ON THE TRAIL encounter happened today. I was on the 5-mile lunchtime run (a gorgeous day) on the usual route (I started northbound on the Greenway Trail at the Boulder Street steps), yes, I was a NO-SHIRT GUY (had to be in the 70s) had made it to the 2.5 mile turn around and was coming up the only real incline on the run just below Tremont Street when I glanced over to my left ... there he was coming across the trail ... SNAKE. I sped up (of course) and (I hate to admit this) even looked back to make sure he hadn't turned to follow me (oh, brother). Did I tell you .. I HATE SNAKES! Have a great day.

A great run in Palmer.

Ran 5-miles in Palmer Park yesterday. (Directions: The park is located in Central Colorado Springs (North East side of town). Take Academy Blvd to Maizeland Rd. The park is on the northwest corner of Academy and Maizeland.) I park off of Austin Bluffs Parkway and access the trails off of the Lazy Land Picnic area.) Other than the Rescue Run on New Year's Day, that's the first time I have ran in the park this year! Wow, I have got to get back to Palmer more often that's for sure. No SNAKES OF THE TRAIL encounters - but then again I realize that there are a lot more people getting out these days. Maybe it's the economy, or gas prices keeping people closer to home. More trail traffic helps keep the snakes away, too. :) Still (and always) a great run. Hope you got out, too.