This and that

Went running again today and dialed up the pace over the last time. No pikas today, just chipmunks, although I saw one critter with no chipmunk stripes, but no pika ears either, so I'm not sure what it was (too small to be a prairie dog).

I'm really into the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, and tonight we'll watch the final episode until the season resumes in January. After that I'll be able to check out the fan sites without worrying about spoilers. Yes, I'm a nerd, but that's not news to anyone that knows me. It's as interesting as a good book, politically relevant, philosophically stimulating, with neat special effects and hot Cylon chicks (and guys) too. The characters are complex and real, not simply good vs. evil. Seriously, what more could you want?

Physical therapy is coming along, but as remarkable as all the little improvements each day are, I want to be fit again! Once I'm "normal" I still have to work my way back up to the fitness, strength and flexibility I had before the crash. Fortunately, I've had good sports doctors that understand what it's like for an athlete. I'll be so happy when I can sprint on the road bike, shoulder the cross bike for a runup and jump into bakasana in yoga class. To stick with the nerdiness: "patience, young jedi."

Another potential doper caught at the Tour. I'm not liking how they're guilty until proven innocent, especially with the proven outrageous incompetence of the labs, but it looks like confidence is slowly being restored to the Tour and the sport in general. But really, at a time when our justice system is under extreme duress, how about at least waiting for the B sample results before declaring yourself judge, jury and executioner, armchair pundits?

On top of the world

Okay, not the top of the world, but it felt pretty close. We did a little hike yesterday, and it was as gorgeous and enjoyable as any hike in Oregon. I have to admit I was skeptical at first, because it's hard to beat the Columbia River Gorge; its lush forest, expansive views of the Cascade Range and the mighty Columbia, impressive waterfalls and challenging terrain. This was silly of course. Colorado is equally impressive in different ways. We started out at a trailhead a little above Breckenridge and hiked our way through the forest. It was mostly evergreen, but quite a bit drier than the northwest. The trail was well-maintained, with bridges over creeks and care taken to prevent erosion, and well-marked. We made our way past some abandoned log houses, and I imagined grizzled mountain men and miners living there. Eventually we got above the treeline, although there wasn't a stark demarcation. Tall trees gave way to smaller trees, which gave way to "shrubberies" and eventually mainly lichen and grass. Some hikers pointed out a patch of Columbine, and I had to ask Sascha which ones were the Columbine; after that I kept an eye out for it, in addition to the other alpine flowers in bloom right now. The trail intersected a steel cable used for mining, although I thought it was a helpful cable for us hikers and used it to scramble up a rocky face to the dilapidated structure. Turns out I did it the hard way, and Sascha later pointed out the little rock piles that marked the trail above the treeline.

Eventually we arrived at a pristine alpine lake that I thought was our destination. There were hardy fish in the ice cold water formed by melting snow, and the water was crystal clear. But wait, there's more! We continued hiking and after a while arrived at another alpine lake that spilled over into the one we'd just seen. It was quite impressive, because you arrive at the lake with the water at eye line as it spills over into the stream that leads down to the other lake.

Also at the eye line level was a gorgeous Columbine. I could swear the whole vista was composed to be photographed, and so I obliged. I think this has to be one of the best pictures I've taken in a while, and I'm glad I brought my better digital camera. I wished for my SLR with the polarizing filter, but its battery cover is borked at the moment. We had lunch (PBJs) at this lake, and I scrambled up to a big rock pile and added to it to "mark my territory" (no, I didn't pee on it too!). I explored a bit a saw a chipmunk scurrying around, but I didn't see any "rock hamsters" although we could hear them. The hike back was less eventful. I zigzagged along the path on the way down to ward off impending blisters.

Took my bike out again today to Tiger Rd. (an excellent suggestion from Jared) and finally saw and heard a "rock hamster", zooming on an intercept course with my bike before its navigational systems recalculated its trajectory to the accompaniment of some loud squeaking. I'm really enjoying my new Fort Cross.Max. Of course it might just be the thrill of being back on the bike, or the sweet Alpha Q fork, or its overall sexiness, but whatever the case, I'm very happy with it. My fitness blows right now, and I don't have the strength in my left shoulder to do any bike carrying, but at least I'll look good off the back come cyclocross season with the new bike and our new kits.

Bad Steven

I rode my bicycle today. I took the cyclocross bike to Colorado. The reasoning was that, at this point, the only danger to riding is the possibility of crashing again before the collarbone is fully healed. Riding my cyclocross bike on a recreational trail to a lonely gravel road going up into the mountains presents little possibility for crashes. It's a risk I'm willing to take. Running has helped the fitness, but there's nothing like getting out on the bike. It felt good! As expected, I have the beginings of a base aerobic fitness, but nothing beyond that. I'm starting from scratch, really.

Tomorrow, a run around the reservoir. Wonder how that will be at altitude...