It's Winter!

IMG_6091.JPG

So far, winter in Colorado has been something like 5 days of spring, 2 days of winter, but for the past couple of weeks we've actually had several days of winter in a row (still usually followed by 2 or 3 days of spring temps). I can't complain! I haven't gone more than a few days without getting on a bike, which is kind of amazing. But it's also given me an opportunity to take advantage of how awesome Colorado is with snow. I picked up some pretty decent, lightly used skis from Craigslist. Because...in Colorado, everyone is constantly upgrading and thus selling their still-totally-usable skis. They're great!

IMG_6079.JPG

My teaching schedule this spring has given me the gift of Tuesdays and Thursdays with no classes, which doesn't exactly translate to entirely free days...but I'm trying to make it that way. I'm doing everything I can to jam all of my work into Mondays and Wednesdays, so that I can just play on days when I don't teach. 

IMG_6032.JPG

I'm also newly determined to take full advantage of Colorado. It amazes me how many different activities I can do in one week (especially with a mild winter). Last week alone I was able to do a road ride, a gravel ride, a hike, and went skiing. (Not to mention the local 4-mile Sweetheart Classic road run with white-out conditions and necessary Yaktrax). I want to keep my eye on variety.

IMG_6093.JPG

We're looking ahead to spring and summer plans and goals. Lots of boxes to check, but one that I'm especially excited about is hiking some 14ers. Mt. Elbert--Colorado's highest peak--will be our first big hike. Already conditioning for that. I also want to bike Pike's Peak, which is tricky because of weather. I'm starting to climb a bit more on the bike, so that my legs can handle it. There's literally no telling what March and April will bring to Colorado in terms of weather, but I'm stoked to keep playing!