Running Waterton Canyon (+ an Epic Wipes Giveaway)

It's been a solid month since I last wrote. Not because I haven't been doing anything, but rather I've been so busy I just haven't had the time to sit and write. It's going to take me a bit of time to catch up, but let's start with a run.

Several of my Oiselle teammates have been clocking a number of long runs prepping for Boston and other spring marathons, and I had noticed a number of conversations - and beautiful Insta shots - around Waterton Canyon. So a few weeks ago on a nice morning, Matt and I headed south about 30 minutes from our house in Denver to the canyon, just a bit past Chatfield State Park. 

Waterton Canyon, also known as Platte Canyon, runs along the Platte River which supplies a great amount the water from the mountains to the Denver-metro area. There's a rather large parking lot with an outhouse just past the entrance to the Lockheed Martin facility. After crossing the road you'll encounter the trail sign and a pretty nice - and what looks to be new - water fountain perfect for bottle filling.

(Note that Waterton Canyon is closed Monday - Saturday until May 15 while work is being done on one of the dams. Enjoy the canyon on Sunday's until then.)

The path for runners and hikers is a wide dirt road that is pretty unassuming at the start. It's not until a few minutes into the run that you connect to the river and finally begin to see what all the fuss is about. While the road winds through the canyon along the river, and the mountain provides some shade, there are long stretches when the sun beats down. The temperature swing was pretty drastic between shade and sun - an aspect of Colorado weather you get used to pretty quickly.

As many of my friends love to run and hike with their dogs, I'll mention now that mountain goats are common in this area so to protect the natural wildlife, dogs are not allowed in Waterton Canyon. Mountain biking, foot traffic, and limited fishing in designated areas, are allowed.

As usual, we started out on the early side as we'd rather not be on trails during the heat of the day. It was cool when we started and quite toasty when we finished. We ran a bit over 4 miles up the canyon to Mill Gulch Bridge where the trail/road switches to the other side of the river. The trail starts at about 5550 feet elevation and climbs steadily into the mountains. I could definitely feel it in my legs and breathing, but the nice thing about running up a canyon is that once you turn around and head back, you're going down the whole way.

It really was beautiful scenery and a different type of run than we're used to. The dirt road means that it's not technical but you get to enjoy a softer surface than running on a regular street, plus if you're doing a long run there's no thinking involved. Just head out and go. Well, keep an eye out for wildlife and mountain bikers, but you don't have to worry about traffic or keeping track of your route. Plus, this is the entrance to the Colorado Trail, which stretches 500 miles to Durango. 

By the time we got back to the car, we were pretty toasty and a good bit dusty. Since we wanted to stop for coffee and brunch on our way home, we needed to clean up a bit. Thankfully, a few years back a cool new company, Epic Wipes, had reached out to me to try their product and I was psyched to try it out.

At more than 2 feet long, Epic Wipes are the most massive and amazing wet wipes you will ever lay your hands on. They are like nothing you've tried. Created by a doctor who's been stationed in Afghanistan and has worked with patients at Walter Reed Medical Center, Aeneas Janze decided to create a product that could actually be useful to anyone without access to a shower and doesn't require 10+ small wipes to get clean (we've all been there at some point, right?). 

These genius wipes are made of bamboo and other biodegradable materials, they are free of parabens and utilize antibacterial oils including chamomile and eucalyptus. They feel cool on the skin even after hours sitting in a car trunk on a hot day.

After our run up the canyon, Matt and I cleaned up with these wipes and they were perfect. I can't begin to explain how awesome they felt after that hot, dusty run. This product really could be useful for so many people beyond runners, the uses seem pretty limitless.

Unfortunately for us, these aren't on the market quite yet. While packaging is done and there's a great product video, from what I understand, the company is getting ready to launch a Kick Starter campaign, which you can get updates about by signing up on the website.

GIVEAWAY

But, lucky for you, I have some to give away! I really just want to keep them all for myself, but two lucky people will win two Epic Wipes. 

I'm going to make it crazy easy for you to enter with a few options:

1. Click HERE to Tweet about this giveaway (it'll open in another window) and leave a comment.
2. Follow Epic Wipes on Facebook - and leave a comment below when you have
3. Leave a comment on when you'd use Epic Wipes.
4. Follow me on Instagram HERE and leave a comment to let me know.

To win, you must live in the continental United States. You MUST leave a comment on this post for your entry to count. Two winners will be chosen randomly. Entries will be accepted until 5:00pm MT, Wednesday, May 26th. The wipes I tried, and the wipes for this giveaway have all been provided by Epic Wipes. The thoughts I've expressed about Epic Wipes are all my own. 

Good luck!

A Red Rocks Workout for Beginners

If you know anything about Denver, you probably know that it is home to Red Rocks Amphitheater, the beautiful, mostly-natural, music venue that has hosted the best musicians to tour the United States for decades. It's a stunning venue with views that reach to downtown Denver and far out into the eastern plains of Colorado. I've seen a lot of shows in my life, and if you're a live music fan, a show at Red Rocks should be on your bucket list. 

What you might not know is that during the day, the amphitheater and the park that it sits in, attracts hundreds of people looking to get in a good workout. Aside from the amphitheater, the park boasts two trails - the Trading Post hiking trail is a 1.4mile loop showcases an up close and personal view of the red rock formations while the multi-use Red Rocks Trail which connects into Matthews-Winters Park and the Dakota Ridge Trail. 

While trails are great, the big draw here is the unique access to the amphitheater. Every summer there are a number of large organized fitness activities, such as Yoga on the Rocks, and several bootcamp classes meet regularly for instructor-led torture fun, but anyone can just show up any morning and put together their own workout. 

There are countless exercises you can do here, but I thought I'd share with you the workout we did that got our hearts racing and lungs burning. Your quads will not be happy the next day, so don't plan on a long run or speed work the day after. Also, since the park sits at 6,400 feet elevation so if you're visiting, try to give yourself a day or two to acclimate to Denver's elevation (5,280) and don't give yourself a hard time when you start breathing heavy just walking up the steps from the parking lot! It's normal!

Run the Stairs Start near the top and run across a row, down the steps along the outside, across one of the front rows, and back up the other side. According to my Garmin, one lap = approximately .2 miles. I recommend at least two laps, but go for as many as you can handle!

Tricep Dips

Planks & Push-Ups

Jump Rope

Crunches

Step Ups

And after all this, be sure to take time to stretch because your muscles will need it!

While this wasn't our typical workout and I didn't get in as many miles as I usually would on a Sunday morning, it was a tough workout and great to mix things up a bit.

A few tips if you do venture to Red Rocks to break a sweat:

• Go early - it gets busy and hot
• Wear sunblock (there's very little shade and the sun is potent)
• Take lots of water
• Everyone else is working hard too, so be mindful of others - don't block the row when others are coming through if you can at all help it, if you need music bring headphones, don't bring so much gear with you that you limit access, and watch out and move aside for people running the stairs
• Don't limit yourself to just the amphitheater, take advantage of the trails and the steep inclines throughout the park for hill workouts
• The visitors center has nice, large restrooms and there's also an onsite restaurant 
• Watch out for tourists taking pictures and oogling over the view - they might not see you coming down
• Rock climbing is not allowed in the park, be kind to our national landmark and don't leave a trace

Sweaty but smiling!

Do you make more time for workouts on holiday weekends? * Now that summer is "unofficially" over, what are you looking forward to most this fall?

My Latest Denver Addiction: High Line Canal Trail

In early April fellow Denver Oiselle runner Lindsay introduced me to the High Line Canal Trail. I'm not sure how I've missed out on this gem for so long, but I'm glad I'm in on it now. The 71 mile urban trail winds its way from the Roxborough State Park south west of Denver to Aurora in the north east. 

Since that first run, I've been back twice more: once with Woody for a seven mile run, and also on my Birthday this past Thursday for a 5-mile walk/jog. In retrospect I shouldn't have gone out on Thursday being that I'm sick and all, but I was determined and stubborn, and so I went anyway. I had planned to start my birthday with an 8-mile run, so at least I adjusted when I got sick and pulled back a little (although I highly doubt I did myself any good by going out at all).

While I've only experienced one small section thus far, it is a beautiful one for sure and a nice reprieve from my regular scenery. Starting just south of E Hampden off Colorado Blvd (there are some parallel parking spots for trail users just outside a church parking lot) and just a little further south on Colorado Blvd where there are some spots along the side of the road at Three Pond Park. 

The wide trail - a mix of paved and natural surface - is open to runners, walkers, bikers, dogs (on-leash), and horses. Its owned by Denver Water, but maintained by the municipalities it runs through, so regulations can vary in local areas. Since the trail goes through some parks, there are some facilities along the way but it's best to bring along your own water.

Here's one map for reference, although it's not perfect as it doesn't trace the trail all the way to Roxborough State Park. Still, a good reference. I'm hoping we spend a lot of time on this trail and explore many other sections. Until then, here are some photos I captured to share the gorgeousness with you. How could someone not love this?

How good are you at cutting back on running or exercise when you get sick? * What was the best part of your weekend? * Who's up for joining me on the High Line Canal Trail?

ClassPass in Denver

[SPONSORED POST]
A few weeks back I wrote about the first half of my month with ClassPass, and the classes I took at local studios including Thrive24, Club Pilates, Endorphin and Infinity Yoga, using the program's unlimited class offering. I'm thankful to ClassPass for providing me with a complimentary 1-month membership so I could take those classes and two others that I want to tell you about.

Ride - The Rider's Barre
The Rider's Barre stuck out to me immediately when I started looking through all the class and studio options. They offer single-discipline classes, like the Ride (aka spin or cycling) class I took on a really snowy Wednesday night, and classes that combine two activities like YogaBarre, YogaCycle, and Ride/TRX. The studio is in an older building in a small cluster of store fronts along S. Broadway. There's a rather large front area with a room for yoga and barre classes just behind and the room filled with spin bikes and TRX trainers is at the back. There were about six women in my class and the teacher, Erin, was upbeat, enthusiastic and didn't let the falling snow outside slow us down. The music was good - I heard the new Madonna song for the first time - and I definitely got a good workout but I wasn't completely exhausted after this one like I was after the class at Endorphin (granted, that incorporated rowing, weighted exercise balls, and lots of squats). I did wish by the end of class though, that I had invested in a pair of bike shorts!

If You Go:
- You don't need special shoes, but if you have them, great! These bikes are equipped to handle sneakers for those of us who don't take enough spin classes to make investing in special shoes worth it, and those who ride 5 days/week.
- Being on S. Broadway there isn't a ton of parking, but look for something in the neighborhood or come sans car if you live nearby.
- The Bardo Coffee Shop, two doors down, is perfect for a post-workout coffee, or if you're looking for a bit more hearty breakfast, head up a few more blocks to Denver Biscuit Co. Looking for something a little different, check out Adrift Bar & Grill for a little tiki-inspired fun.

Pilates - Pilates Evolution
This class made me come to terms with the fact that my core is as weak as a leaf. I struggled through the 45 minute class from the first minute, making the class feel like it was never going to end, but yet it was over in a flash. Maybe the 4 mile run and lack of water had something to do with it, but my abs and legs fatigued quickly from the reps and resistance. When we got to the arm section towards the end, I could finally show off my mastery of the seated row! Our instructor, Shannon, was spunky, super-fit, and who's quasi-drill sergeant demeanor was slightly frustrating yet made me determined to push through. I definitely felt the burn the next day, particularly in my abs, which kind of makes me want to take the class again.

If You Go:
- The studio is very simple - just a large room with a good number of reformers. There is a drinking fountain but it's slightly hidden in the hallway shared with other businesses that leads to the public restrooms.
- Located in Cherry Creek, like Club Pilates, there are great restaurants and shops all around, including a Whole Foods 2 blocks away. Ink Coffee, also nearby, has an addicting drink called the Blended B&B (espresso, chocolate, banana, milk, ice) that tastes sinful but incredibly satisfying after a hard workout. I suggest adding some protein powder to the mix.
- Because of all the construction in the area, plan to park in the neighborhood and walk several blocks, or if you can, walk/run/bike from home.

Final Thoughts on ClassPass:
As for my overall experience with ClassPass, I did really enjoy trying out a lot of new classes and the variety I was able to put together. 

The website and app make it pretty easy to search for classes - via a list or map - and reserve a spot. The user profile not only keeps track of classes that are upcoming, but classes that have been taken, which is a nice feature if you want to quickly reserve a spot in the same class at another time or look back to see what you've taken recently. The reminder emails the day prior to each class were also helpful, especially because twice I needed to cancel my reservation due to work obligations and if you cancel less than 24hrs in advance you're charged $20 (which makes sense to me). At least twice during the month I got emails announcing that new studios had been added to the program, which was great to see. 

On the other hand, as expected, it seemed the vast majority of classes offered - as of January - were of the yoga/barre/Pilates variety. There a few clunky features with the website as more than a few times I tried to reserve a spot in a class that appeared open but didn't actually have any spots left. I spent a lot of time trying to find the right class, in the right part of town, on the right day, and at the right time to fit my schedule. I imagine though that after a few months users get to know what studios and classes they really like and these factors become less of an issue.

As much as I love trying new classes and expanding my fitness routine, I won't be investing in the $79/month membership on an ongoing basis. Woody and I have our early morning routine down, and I don't see myself deviating enough from that routine to make the expense worth it. Plus, I found it really difficult to fit classes into my schedule after work so most of these were taken on the weekend, which limits me to only a couple days a week. I do see how this would be a great option for those who love to take classes and have short commutes. If a lower cost membership option for just 4 or 5 classes per month was available, I would definitely consider it and I did find a few studios that I'll go back to for drop-in classes now and then!

What was your favorite/best workout from the past week?

Ready for Another Weekend

This has been a busy, exhausting and really fantastic week. After running BolderBOULDER on Monday, we jumped right into the week. My friend April arrived Tuesday for a short visit. Our first guest since we moved into our house, we were excited to have someone stay in our guest room! Even if the bed arrived the same day she did.

It was her first time in Colorado so I wanted to give her a good taste of what Denver has to offer! Happy hour in Boulder, a visit to Red Rocks to check out the amphitheater and a little hiking, iced coffee on a hot day in Golden, exploring downtown Denver, and running in Wash Park. Oh, and a few delicious meals, the last capped off with amazing ice cream from High Point Creamery. (Can’t help but love that they “encourage tastings”). I was sad to see her go – actually, I had to leave for work before she headed off to Glenwood Springs – it was so much fun to catch up and show her around my new city!

I’ve been doing a lot of running in Washington Park these last few weeks since we moved into our new house. Covering 165 acres, it’s one of the largest parks in Denver. There are two large lakes, a fishing pond, tennis courts, a great rec center, beautiful gardens and a large meadow for picnics and volleyball courts. It’s a hugely popular park for running and biking; there’s a 2.5 mile gravel path around the edge of the park and several roads. I am thankful every day that we were able to find a house just a few blocks from this amazing park!

I was not at all surprised to learn that the design of Wash Park was influenced by work of the Olmsted Brothers (sons of Frederick Law Olmsted who designed Central Park and Prospect Park).

Sunday was spent in Castle Rock (south of Denver) with Andrea, a co-director of Venus de Miles, an all-women’s road ride here in Colorado and also in Illinois. We had an awesome time telling hundreds of women, and men, about our ride at the Elephant Rock post-ride expo and handing out these super-cute bags!

Angie, the other co-director, stopped by after she finished her century ride (yeah, she’s hard core)! These ladies are fantastic. I love working with them and seeing their enthusiasm for this event and its great cause.

Wednesday, June 4 is National Running Day. This is one “national day” I can get behind. How are you going to celebrate?

A Running Tour of Downtown Denver

If all goes as planned, in less than two weeks we’ll be moved out of our Downtown Denver apartment and into our very own house. While we’ll still be in Denver, we won’t be as close to the downtown core where we’ve been running, eating and exploring for the past nine months. So, before we pack up our things again, I thought I’d take you on a little tour of downtown Denver – a typical Sunday morning run.

It starts at the park…

Didn’t know Denver had a beach, did you?

On warm days this trail is packed with tons of people running, walking, and riding bikes.

I haven’t yet figured out why this one block is called a square, but it’s filled with great restaurants, bars and shops.

Blue by mistake, the name of this 40 foot tall bear is “I see what you mean”

Civic Center Park is a pretty impressive area lined with governmental buildings (local and state), museums and other stately looking buildings.

Uptown is a popular neighborhood with great restaurants like Steuben’s and Ace.

The Brown Palace, which reminds me a little of the Flatiron Building, opened in 1892 and has been operating as a hotel ever since. Two interesting facts: every President since Teddy Roosevelt has visited the hotel except for Calvin Coolidge and it was recently purchased for $103 million.

The 16th Street Mall runs through the heart of downtown Denver and is open only to pedestrians and the (free) mall bus. While there are some great restaurants and shops, the overall collection is slightly odd but it’s still a great place to enjoy on a warm sunny day.

Home of the Rockies.

Colorado is known for its growing craft brewing industry and downtown Denver has no shortage for breweries. Co-founded by our current Governor, Wynkoop is one of the oldest and most well-known.

Union Station is currently undergoing a huge transformation and will be re-opening soon – filled with restaurants, shops, and the new hub for Amtrak and local public transportation. It will be a great new addition to the city.

And the tour is complete. Thanks for coming along. If you visit Denver, I’d be happy to take you on this tour by foot!

Do you prefer running in urban areas or along quiet streets and trails? * What’s keeping you busy this week?