Racing and hiking weekend...

Friday, September 19:

This was V.I.P. night at the new Fujiyama Restaurant located a few doors north of their old location. Sonterra Grill bought Minji's old location for expansion and she moved to a larger building--win-win for both establishments. Public opening for the new Fujiyama was last Saturday, September 20.

Olivia and Matt (deer in headlights):

Jenny:

Sonny:


Saturday, September 20:

After much partying on Friday night (Fujiyama and V-Bar), I hit the road for Buena Vista--destined to run the half marathon leaving from the city park at 8 AM. I blew into BV at around 3 AM and slept in the back of the 4Runner just outside the city park.

The next morning we were shuttled 13 miles into the mountains. The race ended back in the city park. This course was not too difficult (not much uphill)--but was very scenic! I ran this one in 1:33:00.

Part of the half marathon course:

Near the starting line:

Dude with an orange in his mouth:

JQRC runners:

Homemade baked goods:

Me and Carla. She was the top female runner for this race (time: ~1:35:00):

More JQRC runners:

Look, a "short bus":

Sunday, September 21:

Sunday morning I woke up with a cold. Despite feeling like total crap, I crawled out of bed in the early AM (like 4 AM) and met with a group of friends to hike up to the top of Pikes Peak. We weren't setting any land-speed records on this hike--but we did make it up there shortly after lunch. We arranged to have vans and beers waiting for us at the top.

Trying to keep warm in the van at the top (Sean, Angie, Donovan, Olivia, and Matt):

Close to the top (near the start of the 16 Golden Stairs):

JQRC committee dinner...

Thursday, September 18:

Some of the JQRC committee met at Jack Quinn's for our committee dinner. Can't beat free Irish food!

Sarah/Charlie's birthday and Kremmling Roadkill Half Marathon...

Thursday, September 11:

We took Charlie out for his 27th birthday. We went to Landry's Seafood House in Denver, CO. Afterwards, we went to the Baker Street Pub for a few drinks...

Angie and Matt (Baker Street Pub):

Juliet and Matt (Baker Street Pub):

The gang at Landry's:


Saturday, September 13:

Tungsten and I did the Kremmling half marathon. Due to bad trail conditions, they had to make a last minute course change which shaved off 1.1 miles of this half marathon. So, it turned out to only be 12 miles. I ran it in 1:28:00--which is about the same average pace as I did the ADT half marathon in.

...and I did the whole thing in flip-flops:





We hit the hot sulfur springs on the way back to Colorado Springs! Ahhh...good stuff!

Saturday night, September 13 and Sunday, September 14:

Sarah's birthday was the 13th and Charlie's was the 14th--so we did a joint celebration for the two of them starting at Phantom Canyon--eventually moving to Oscar's and Jack Quinn's after that. Some of us met at the new Purple Castle for brunch on Sunday.

The girls at Oscar's:

Oznur and Matt (at Oscar's):

Sarah on the dance floor:

Matt and Sarah (at Oscar's):

Matt and Angie (at Oscar's):

Ryan and Stacey:

Matt, Rolf, and Harold:

Imogene Pass Run

Friday/Saturday, September 5/6:

I participated in the Imogene Pass Run this year. 17 miles from Ouray to Telluride via Imogene Pass. It was about 10 miles uphill and 7 down. Felt like doing The Incline about 10 times in a row. We camped just south of Ouray on Friday night. I had to split after burgers on Saturday evening.

Posing after the race:

What a lovely team:

Boone's Farm the night before:

Boys to the rescue...PBR anyone? These girls spent forever and a day getting off the mountain. Perhaps the impromptu game of 3-woman didn't help their times:


Sunday, September 7:

I co-captained my company team at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Garden of the Gods. This is the first year I participated in this event. Thousands of people showed up for this--car parking extended all the way to my company's parking lot on Garden of the Gods Rd. Although most people that participate in this event are not runners, it was fun to see so many people from every walk of life there to support breast cancer reasearch:

http://www.komencs.org/

Labor Day Weekend

Friday, August 29:

The weekend began with a final going-away party for Jesus at Paul's house. He was leaving for Iraq the following morning with the Army. We made a Hawaiian theme out of the party--which then just got weirder as the night went on...


Saturday/Sunday, August 30/31:

I went camping with a group of my friends to a campsite near 11-Mile Lake (closer to Lake George actually). On Saturday we kayaked and biked in the afternoon, boozed the night away in front of the campfire, and participated in a bit of 3-man. Sunday we did some rock climbing in 11-Mile State Park.

Ty, Tungsten, and Matt Kayaking:

Olivia climbing (that little speck left of the tree growing on the rock is her):

Matt and Tungsten on the grill:

Couple of girl behinds:

Bocce ball tournament:


Monday, September 1:

Monday morning I ran the American Discovery Trail Half Marathon in America the Beautiful Park. I ran 1:34:34 (~7:09 per mile pace). That was my goal pace for this race--and I stuck with it--so I was happy with that. I finished 29th overall out of ~470 participants.


Later that day, Sarah put together a BBQ at Jeff's place. We all rode our bikes over there anticipating a bike pub crawl--but the masses ended up not making it back out after the chow. Some of us took off early to do a little bike pub crawling anyway later on.

Dani--just being Dani:


Outside of the liquor store (impromptu beer run):