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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.

Nestled in the foothills west of Fort Collins is Horsetooth Mountain Park. Horsetooth Rock, a famous landmark visible from I-25, is the high point of this park. According to Native American legend, this rock is what remains of the heart of the Great Red Warrior slain by the Great Black Warrior in a ferocious battle. Within Horsetooth Mountain Park, there are 29 miles of trails that connect with many more trails in Lory State Park and with the trails in the Soderberg Open Space Park.

That is how it started - my first real experience with the Colorado Trail, a 483-mile-long trail that connects Denver to Durango. Most of the trail is located in the rugged high mountains of Colorado. But the segment from Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill is one of the most runner friendly sections of the trail.

When looking for a uniquely Colorado trail running experience near the heart of the city, look no further than Lair o' the Bear park. Located just four miles west of Morrison, this park offers smooth trails ranging in elevation from 6,500 feet to 7,500 feet.

Winter running in Colorado can sometimes be difficult. With the cold and snow, it can be hard to find the motivation to get out the door. Sometimes, all it takes is a trip to a scenic location to get the blood and adrenaline flowing again and help brighten the spirit of even the most uninspired runner.

March can be a tough time to hit the trail running. It’s the snowiest month of the year for the mountains and Front Range, and even if the snows don’t come, chances are the trails are still snowpacked and icy. There’s only one thing to do: head west to Fruita.

As spring bleeds into summer, Boulder’s trails become popular as ever with hikers and trail runners. Chautauqua in particular can seem swarmed, and finding parking can be a challenge before you even hit the trail. The crowds tend to stick to the front side of the Flatirons, however. Those in the know (you) head to the back side and the gem that is Walker Ranch, part of the Boulder County open space system.