We got snow! Northern Colorado FINALLY got a decent amount of snow! And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one weirdly excited about it! We’ve gotten snow a few times this year, but no major accumulation [ie: 4+ inches] and I’ve missed nearly every snow day since before Christmas so I was pumped to get outside and play in the snow!

There were big plans for a long run on Saturday morning with friends, but they all bailed because roads were supposed to get bad that afternoon [and 20+ mile runs take a LONG time in snow, so roads were a valid concern]. I decided I was still going to head for the trails for a little snowy fun. My initial plan was to run a 7 mile loop twice…then when I hit my first hill I changed my mind.

I decided I was going to focus on actually putting some effort into running uphill while avoiding the “comfy, all day” pace on the flats/down and stop at just one loop. As I ran my list of “things to do before leaving for Chile” got longer and longer so a long day on snowy trails got trumped by a shorter run and an afternoon staring at my computer in a coffee shop. Not perfect, but what my to do list needed, trust me!

My original plans for Sunday also got scrapped because of the snow – hiking above treeline on a snowy pass the day after Mother Nature dumped 14+ inches of snow was an avalanche death waiting to happen! Instead I headed to Boulder for some snowy hiking just off the NCAR trailhead. Was it as photogenic as a sunny snow day above tree line? No, of course not. Was it still worth the drive? Definitely, snowy trails followed by ice cream + hot chocolate are always worth it!

Side Note: If you’re dreading a trip outside into the snowy, 10 degree weather drag someone with you! Then annoy each other until someone finally gives in and stands under the damn tree to get snow dumped on them! Eventually the idea of covering any miles is forgotten and it’s all about getting buried in snow…until someone mentions ice cream + hot chocolate!

And now it’s Monday and the sun is out making all the snow glisten! The temperatures are still hanging out in the low teens but there just might be a lunch run on my agenda – I just can’t pass up a chance to burn out my retinas with shiny snow! Besides, a chilly lunch run is the perfect excuse for an afternoon fueled by hot chocolate… #howiroll


4 Comments

Lora @ Crazy Running Girl · February 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm

Love the pics!! Enjoy your snow 🙂

    Heidi Nicole · February 25, 2021 at 1:20 pm

    Thanks — snow is fun, if you layer right. Plus, here in Colorado it only sticks around in such massive quantities for a day or three! That definitely helps with the excitement level!

Hillary · February 26, 2021 at 6:34 pm

I’m a CO runner and have enjoyed reading your blog and hearing about your adventures. Although I may have missed the details, I noticed you mentioning a trip to Chile and Torres del Paine (I think). My husband and I traveled there a couple of years ago and I wanted to pass on some advice that we took when we spend 5 days hiking the “W” route in the park. A travel blog I read before we went talked about the French Valley and how most people’s plans have them only hiking up the valley for a view and then camping below. The blogger wished that she and her partner had camped there and so my husband and I planned our route to do just that. It was so very worth it. One of the more spectacular places in the park, and the “primitive” campsite was the quietest night we spent. We were able to get up in the morning and hike the short distance to the lookout point and have it all to ourselves. Anyhow, I just thought I’d share. I can’t wait to hear about more running and travels. ps. Are you planning to run in Torres or hike?-probably should have asked that first. Regardless, French Valley is a great halfway if you’re going to be speedy. 😉

    Heidi Nicole · February 26, 2021 at 8:22 pm

    Yes — thank you Hillary! I am headed to Chile for a loop around the Torres del Paine, I leave next week. So, yes, bring on all the information you can! We’re hoping to do the loop in 4 days with an added “just in case” day or two should weather/injury/anything get in the way of our plans. I’m looking at the French Valley now! Thanks!

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