butt = kicked

Gratuitous Lucy photo that really has nothing to do with this post (but ain't she just adorable)



Today I went to a ski conditioning class at my gym. I got my gluts kicked. And I'm psyched about it!

Pretty much every gym in the Rockies offers ski conditioning classes in October and November. I've been meaning to go but it's just been so darn nice outside I've opted for hikes or runs with Little Pants. Today was no different; it was 65 and sunny! However, the Little Pants was a little under the weather so I took advantage and let her sleep while I got myself some fitness!

I almost didn't go into the class because they had a sign saying something about them being in "phase two" ( of three) and you weren't allowed if you didn't go through phase one (which clearly I hadn't). A few friends convinced me I wouldn't be kicked out so I went.

It was awesome! I hadn't been pushed athletically since college ( sure I'd run hard or crazy long mileage, do a tough hike or something but it just doesn't bring back the same inner feelings as having someone else push you to test yourself). I thrive on that stuff. I loved being yelled at to sprint faster. I loved having coaches facetiously 'ask' me if I was tired or have them place fake bets with the team that I couldn't win every single sprint and then make 10 free throws in a row. I LOVE being pushed like that ( yes, I'm a little strange. But you probably already knew that!). Maybe it's because I never want to lose. Maybe because I've always discovered I'm stronger, faster, better than I would be without someone pushing me.

I kept having flashbacks to high school basketball conditioning and just thinking about that made this class seem not so tough. I reminded myself being in this class didn't require a tryout or age specification so it couldn't be that bad. I learned I'm in better overall shape than I thought I was... And that I still have a ways to go. Most importantly though I got to feel that self-competitive rush that I love. No idea why, but pushing myself to give everything is something I'll always love.

I'll definitely be going to the class regularly now :)

slightly less exciting

Okay, so living in Aspen is always pretty exciting/excellent. That being said, compared to the Summer I've been on less long/unique ( for this place at least) adventures. I'm back at work for the Aspen Skiing Company full-time and it's starting to get dark around 6:30 so Lucy and I have mostly been going for short/fast runs or hikes on trails you've already heard about. (However, we did check out a great new trail overlooking Aspen today that we'd never explored. I previously thought dogs had to be on a leash so we'd go to other off-leash friendly trails. A Ranger recently informed me it was off-leash so off we went!)

I was so caught up with taking in the view of Aspen far below and the mountains around it that I forgot to snap a picture. Sorry! Next time!

The leaves in town are still bright yellow while those up high... okay, highER... fell a few weeks ago. Winter is supposed to be making a visit so we'll see what's left after this week.

it's snowing!

I was about 50 yards away from the spot I wanted to snap a picture at up on Aspen Mtn and a heavy fog swept in and whited-out the mtn... so no picture :(

Our little after work hike was pretty frigid, especially considering it hadn't been that cold the past few days (I wore shorts on Saturday). It was snowing pretty heavily when the Pants and I got home. Winter is in the air- time to retire the shorts and did the Sorels and down jackets!

it's snowing!

I was about 50 yards away from the spot I wanted to snap a picture at up on Aspen Mtn and a heavy fog swept in and whited-out the mtn... so no picture :(

Our little after work hike was pretty frigid, especially considering it hadn't been that cold the past few days (I wore shorts on Saturday). It was snowing pretty heavily when the Pants and I got home. Winter is in the air- time to retire the shorts and did the Sorels and down jackets!

yellowness all over!

After an exhausting but fun time working our (back at the Ski Co, remember?) event, The Meeting, I needed to get some fitness! The Meeting is a really cool 3 day event we put on where a huge percentage of the snow sports industry gathers to preview this season's ski/snowboard movie, engage in various session and (it is the snow sports industry...) party like the world is going to end at any moment. It's very tiring... yet also a blast!

So back at the office with our next major event over a month away I can finally get into a groove and get some exercise (something I've been lacking this past month). Today I took Lucy for a much needed afterwork hike up a pretty popular trail that overlooks the city.

While some aspen groves are starting to lose their leave this particular area was in full-on photogenic yellow mode. There was a slight cloud cover that made the lighting super cool and Lucy and I made some new friends too. All in all a great hike to start my first day of Sober October (my much needed hiatus from alcohol; swapping it with sleep, fitness and hydrating liquids)!