Three trails, two sisters

My sister-in-law Dani recently discovered the JOY of trail running, so you'd better believe I capitalized on that shared interest during our Denver visit. We went on three trail runs together in two weeks! It was a pure delight to have a trail running buddy. I love my solitude as much as the next introvert, but I also love running with a friend. Conversation flows most easily when I'm on the move, and like-minded similarly-paced running partners are scarce. I've had less than five in the fifteen years since my college track team. Dani and I preferred to run-hike, running the smooth sections and hiking the steeper/rocky sections. It was an ideal blend. We had a blast absorbing the scenery and sisterhood while we chatted our way around the rocky trails.

Running with another human being also felt safe. My solo trail runs are soul-filling and everything, but there are still moments scattered throughout each run where I feel jumpy or uncertain. I felt so much more at ease running with a partner. We stopped at trail junctions together to study the map and make sure we were heading the right way. When the front runner made a wrong turn, the person behind noticed and redirected. Along with the conversation and companionship, a running buddy is a comfy safety net!  

The night before each trail run, we clustered together with our All Trails app and a trail runner's website to sift through the many options near Denver. Then we would agree to leave by 5:30am for the trail the next morning to avoid the crowds. It worked every time. All three of the trails we chose were a scant 30 minute drive from my parents' house! It was luxury for me to have such a short drive to scenery, since at home I usually drive anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours one way for a good trail run. 

Our three trails of choice:

• Apex Trail and Enchanted Forest loop (my Dad came on this one too!)
• Nightbird Gulch and Mount Galbraith loop
• Deer Creek Park: Meadowlark Trail, Plymouth Creek trail, and Golden Eagle trail up to Bill Couch Mountain (not sure why there were so many different trail names in the six mile loop!)

In between these three trail runs, I ran around Greenwood Village, CO most other days. The Highline Canal road was a mere mere mile from my parents' house, so that was my go-to running pathway most days. I also kept up with my yoga for the most part, and Dani joined me for a session or two out on the mini putting green in my parents' backyard. Sisters who sweat together stay together!

We all brought hydration packs!

Wildflowers never get old.

This was an interesting historic sign stating old road tolls from the 1800s. The Apex trail used to be a wagon road way back when.

In the Enchanted Forest!

Dad, closing the loop.

The Highline Canal road is smooth as butter.

This peaceful little wetland area branches off of the canal road.

The Highline Canal loops around at my point of access, and I quickly discovered that the shady side was paradise in the mornings. Denver experienced a major heat wave while we were there, so that shade was necessary, even at 7am.

Long legs, long shadow in the slanted morning sunshine.

One day I jogged past Mel and Braxton's new apartment. They moved one mile away from my parents' house. Jeff and I visited them one afternoon. It was so fun to see their orderly nest and spend some time with them on their own turf.

Linden trees bloomed and perfumed! Mom and I walked to a park one morning to smell a row of these fragrant trees.

Two warriors in Warrior 2 pose. Dani is a far more experienced yoga-warrior than me, which made it fun to do yoga together.

Trail number two: Nightbird Gulch. Early morning lit everything gold.

This one was extra rocky, so we ran maybe a third of the entire 5 mile trail and hiked the rest. And loved it!

Back on the Highline Canal road, shady side, morningside.

The canal goes for more miles than I can run! My farthest distance running one direction on this canal road is 3.5 miles out. 

Another day I took on the Cattail Park segment challenge, a quarter mile downhill sprint. Dani's 18 month old record still bested me by 3 seconds.

Garmin Strong! Brad got a Garmin watch for Dani to replace her old Apple watch, and we are getting quite the Garmin team in the Brown family! This picture is missing Kyle, who also has a Garmin. 

Trail number three at Deer Creek Park, two days before we began our journey home.

More morning gold. This was also the maiden voyage of Dani's new Garmin watch!

Views!

Trail on the left, Denver on the right.

Zoomed in on the distant Denver skyline.

Views from the top of Bill Couch Mountain

Together at the top! It was more like a small rock to stand on at the top rather than an actual peak or summit, but we balanced there for a scenic sister selfie.

I tripped and fell on the way back down the trail. Compared to past falls, this one was relatively mild, although both knees bruised up big and stayed tender for an annoyingly long time after. I whipped out my first aid kit in a baggie and doctored my knees up right there on the trail.

Wildflowers never get old! I had to look this one up when we got home. It's a Bristly Pricklypoppy. We also saw a few miniature cactus plants and two lizards! This place can't decide if it wants to be desert, forest, mountain, or plain!