The work week followed. It's been busy with work for both of us, but I pressed on with the training - accumulating miles and strength. Monday and Tuesday gifted me with fastest runs so far this year - in fact, fastest since one-odd in October, I think, but I truly don't even remember. I really push the lower body workouts at the gym, and it seems to be paying off - both during those workouts, and on the runs. Wednesday brought another Incline, #4 in 2021, and this one, too, went in fastest (so far) time - plus I didn't stop once for a breather. I always say, Incline humbles me, and even though my legs handle it well by now, my lungs can't seem to catch up. I just get so red-lining, that I have to stop, bend over, and take 20 seconds to re-settle. Those "no stops" climbs happen rarely, and I cherish and celebrate them!
Fridays are my long run days, and this one was projected to take me up the Barr trail to Barr camp, then down via Bob's and Longs Ranch to give a total of 18+ miles and 5,300 ft of gain. I felt fantastic! The climbs were smooth, and as soon as I turned around, I was able to start running right away, and didn't buckle under the distance or rollers on the backside of Pikes trail system! The weather was fantastic too, sunshine, cold, but warming up by the last few miles. And not a soul around, with views to die for!
Once home and showered, and Larry off work (a.k.a. computer), we had a perfect coffee date - inside a coffee shop, with real coffee mugs and not paper cups! What a treat! How sad our (everybody's) lives become if drinking coffee at the table from a ceramic cup feels so good. Alas, it was - courtesy of my client's recommendation. Thanks, girl!
That evening we had our "neighbors from the right" over for dinner. I cooked Russian fare - pelmeni, sauerkraut, blintzes with feelings, eggplant paste - and it was very much appreciated! We, Russians, love to feed guests, and when it's consumed with pleasure, we are happy. The conversations made the time fly by! We were so busy talking and eating, I didn't take a single picture.
Now the Sunday...the culmination of it all. Back last Saturday, when my new coffee cup got busted, and I cried my eyes and brains out, Larry called the shop owner behind my back to ask if they could hold a cup for me for our next visit. That visit was actually planned for today (Sunday) to do some cross-country skiing in Leadville's Nordic center at Mt. Massive gold course. As the week drew closer to the weekend, the weather predictions grew gloom with snow and overcast, so I proposed to move that trip for a week. After our guests left on Saturday, Larry looked at me (he knew how much I wanted cross-country ski) and offered to go anyway. The snow, he said, is not going to start till noon. Of course!
The first thing as we rolled into town I thought about was "how's Annie doing?". Ever since I got off all the social media, it's not the many of longer-term friends I was missing - the few best of them I communicate nearly daily via text, email and calls (ha, old school!). The couple other close friends were never even on any kind of social circuit, so we keep doing what we always did. The random "I thought they were friends" faded away - they don't seem to even notice we're off the internet, so I guess it was never that important. But, really, maybe 2 or 3 of those I care about, even if not truly "close, best, long term" friends they are, I miss. I wonder what they are up to. Annie, a girl who we met through John Sharp while climbing Mt. Sherman last August, and who went (and got) Collegiate Peak Loop supported record, is a sweet human we take interest in. We roll to the coffee shop (THAT coffee shop, The City on the Hill), and who's standing outside in line but Annie! Talking about serendipity!
We couldn't stop chatting, like it was just yesterday we saw each other. She's a truly really nice human, and an amazing outdoor athlete, all-around.
So, we walked inside, and now that I knew about Larry's "behind the scene" arrangement, ask if the owner left a package for us, truly expecting paying full price for my now second coffee mug (which would make it cost an astonishing $60, probably the most expensive per usage item in my life of that kind). The girls get the package, I buy coffee for us, sign a receipt I can't see the numbers of (I am totally old and useless without reading glasses) - and discover a huge sign on the paper bag...
Oh, my God. This is like a Christmas miracle! I/we will forever patronize this coffee shop and spread best words about it. Thank you so much!!!
With that, we drove to the Nordic center, and, all excited, bought a season pass - it's good to support local community (technically it's a free access with proposed donation, but what the hell, it'll make us come more often, and they're totally worth it!). The views were magical, even though clouds already rolled in. The ski tracks lead us through the meandering fields and trees, as we inhaled the calm, peacefulness, and practically zen (well, I did, Larry was mostly trying to inhale...😋 Thanks Mother-Russia for putting me on the skis practically as soon as I started walking!). After the first couple of miles, we settled into a rhythm that worked for both of us and allowed us to enjoy what's around and some conversations. I love this so much - I love moving, repetitive motion for me is so meditative.
By 11:30 am the snow started falling, as expected, and we made it to the car. I was on cloud 9, so thankful Larry is such a great sport and took me here. The drive back was easy (as a side note, even though it is 2.5 hrs to either winter sport destination for us, the country road is so empty, easy, with great views, it never feels as a chore or burden), and by 2 pm we were home - drinking coffee from my new mug! Here's to more adventures to come!
1 comment:
What a pretty coffee mug!
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