Building Up

After a lackluster week of training last week I got back into things with 57 miles this week.  I capped it off with a great run around Buffalo Mountain on Saturday.  I've been wanting to do this run for a couple of years now.  I did some of this route a couple of years back and nearly died of dehydration.  I remember lying down on the trail praying for water and hallucinating.  I fared better this time and didn't come close to that type of situation.  It is an example of how far I've come in 2 years.  I took it slow and enjoyed the day.
I started off from the condo and worked my way up to Lily Pond.  I've run to the pond many times in the past but have looped back from there.  From Lily Pond the trail drops you down to a great view of Dillon Reservoir and then brings you back up to Eccles Pass before dropping down to the Mesa Cortina Trail. As I made my way up to Eccles Pass I had a run in with a porcupine.

The weather was perfect and the views were amazing.  I had the trail to myself.  The Gore Range is definitely one of the most under appreciated ranges in Colorado.  The views are amazing and TH's are only an hour outside Denver.  I look forward to exploring more of the area this summer.

Silverton is right around the corner.  Tim F and I will do our best not to get lost, mauled by bears or killed by locals for 4 days starting Wednesday.  I'm really looking forward to the trails up there and some great training.
Here are some pics from Saturday's run.  Sorry for the format but I am having a heck of a time with the program tonight.