My recently retired husband and I enjoyed a 2 night midweek escape in Blackhawk, Colorado this past week, which gave me a chance to start focusing on some altitude training for the third and final leg of the Tiple Crown of Running.

In addition to enjoying the dining, socialing, swimming and a little gambling(we broke even— woohoo!),

 we explored the local trails, which do not disappoint!

Trail day #1, Charles and I where joined by our friends, Donna and Daryl. We drove a few miles out of Blackhawk and jogged/hiked to the John Frazer Cabin. I so enjoy learning  about what life was like for early homesteaders and miners over a century ago, and in addition to normal lovely mountain trails at around 9000 feet, Blackhawk area provides this!

This was about a 6 mile excursion for us, starting and ending at the trailhead lake, having a raspberry snack along the way(better than gu chomps this day)looking at flowers, trees and views as we explored the area on foot.

The  following day, I went right out the door and explored local trails and the found a lovely one that was about an hour jaunt that went by beautiful aspens, another ruin or two, and ended in a most lovely clearing.

This weekend will find me ascending my back yard fourteener again, Pikes Peak, as I continue my quest to finish the last and final leg of the Triple Crown of Running!