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Mt. Falcon is a Jefferson County Open Space Park located just south of downtown Morrison on Colorado Highway 8. The route we are running today is the typical time trial route up the Castle Trail to the first picnic shelter, 2.5 miles and 1,600 feet away. This lung burning trail is a must for anyone training for the numerous mountain races in Colorado. However, the park has much more to offer than the Castle Trail and you would be a fool to not explore more.

Writing about the Mesa Trail is like discussing brushing your teeth… it’s really important, but no one ever talks about it, because everybody has to do it. Christmas Eve, 1999. […]

The car idled while I sat waiting to muster enough energy for my run in Lory State Park. I was feeling lethargic and running alone made the prospect more difficult. It had been a year since I had run the Arthur's Rock trail loop. But finally, I turned the car off, laced my shoes and stood up. Outside the car at the trail's terminus (5,420 feet)* my laziness left - the trail was like being reunited with an old friend. I started running.

The hike to the top of the last remaining fire lookout in Colorado charms with its smooth, double-track path and a canopy of pine and aspen. While this hike is […]

I woke up on Sunday morning in late July and finally decided it was time to hit the high country for altitude training. With most of my training partners getting ready for the Leadville Trail 100, I knew it would be easy to drag a few of them along with me. But, with all of our busy schedules, I knew I had to find something close. I chose Herman's Gulch.

A run through the Paint Mines is a journey in time. Archaeologists claim that prehistoric people began living on the rolling prairie at the Paint Mines 9,000 years ago. Native Americans are known to have taken the colorful clays to produce pottery and ceremonial paint. The park is off the beaten path, but the views of red hoodoos and orange sandstone spires are worth the drive.

Each morning with the sun's first bright rays, legion's of the fit faithful march up and down the steps at the Red Rock Amphitheater. The heart-pounding, gut-wrenching routine can leave the toughest athlete gasping for air. I have tried this vigorous workout on several occasions. Up the steps, one, two, three, twenty, thirty, forty... The sun beats down and you can always smell stale beer near the amphitheater during the summer concert season. I can't get addicted to the stair climbing. Why run up and down concrete steps when you can sprint through dramatic 300-foot sandstone monoliths instead? I must truly have the heart of a trail runner.

I first conquered Mt. Sanitas when I was training for the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2003. I had heard from a friend of a friend that it was a great hill workout and that it was quick and easy to get to.

Nestled in the hills above Golden, Apex Park offers an easily- accessible retreat for metro area trail runners and mountain bikers. The park includes approximately 10 miles of trails over hilly terrain and rocky single track. The city of Golden reports that wildlife in the area can include elk, deer, black bear, coyote, fox, rattlesnake, and raptors. The 770-acre park also holds historical significance for Jefferson County.

It was a cold and windy Saturday morning, which made the prospect of running a bit difficult in my current state of mind. I prefer to run when it is sunny and warm (who doesn't) so the fact that I needed to wear pants and a jacket didn't appeal to me. I had to think of a way to get myself out the door. I decided to drive down to Waterton Canyon and run the 17 mile loop. I like to run there because it features a wide dirt road with beautiful views and no traffic. Plus I figured this was a good way to get out of the wind. Even though Waterton is one of the most used trails in the Denver Metro area, I figured the weather would keep people away. I also knew that if I was feeling bad, it would be easy to turn around and run shorter.