Getting fit in Denver (Part I)

They need more wear and tear

This morning was the first I have gotten to take my pup for a walk in that magical substance called SNOW!!  This late weather, Indian Summer, Global Warming, nice for a run but crummy for my skiing, period of unusually warm weather might finally be ending.  C’mon mother nature, don’t you know this season has been all about “CHANGE”, so lets get those frozen molecules falling before the ski resort opening dates move back.. again.

Actually you can tell that the seasons are changing.  This morning I stopped into Snooze for breakfast and was very briefly chatting with their very professional and overly nice owner, Jon Schlegel.  For those of you who have not tried Snooze, it is this great little breakfast (and now Lunch) spot that has some of the most delicious homemade and unique recipe pancakes I’ve had anywhere.  I even bought a shirt I was so happy with my meal.  Anyway, I asked Jon how things were going.  It was a Friday and the place was full with a short wait.  Things looked good and he confirmed it.  He did mention that more of the orders were shifting from coffee to Bloody Mary’s which sounds to me like a fine way to enjoy a cozy breakfast watching the cold wind whip around fallen snow outside.  If you make it there… my new favorite order is a single pineapple upside down pancake, side of bacon, and coffee.  Try it.  You will love it.

This brings me back to the title of this story “Getting Fit in Colorado”.  For some folks the winter is their time to pack on a few extra pounds, pump up that spare tire, build in some insulation for the cold, etc.  For me it is the time when I want to be in my best shape.  It’s ski season after all, and lets face it these knees have already had enough abuse.  The less they have to support the better.   Now I just have to build up some great activities to get to my goal.

I am a believer in making whatever the workout is fun.  Skiing is easy, that is a natural fun sport for me and I can go up day after day by myself if no one else can go.  Running can sometimes be like that for me, but as the weather creeps into lower and lower digits it sometimes takes a little extra push to get going.  I need a group.  I need the predictable schedule of meeting other runners week after week and a habit of running to push me through the coldest months.  Then, all of the sudden, the cold solitary run is a fun group fun.  So I started to research.

The first run I found was by accident when I went in to buy some new cold weather running gear at the Nike Store on the 16th street mall in the Denver Pavilions.  Walking in the store I noticed an huge sign with the words “Run Club”.  Cool.. what’s that?  It turns out that every Tuesday at 5:30 PM a group of runners gather at the store for a 3, 5, or 7 mile run.  That’s for me.

So this past Tuesday I went and found a group of roughly 30-40 nice and friendly folks.  The run took off down Glenarm to the Cherry Creek trail and then everyone did an out and back of their own distance choice.  It was low key, casual, and uncrowded.  But somehow having people to run with pushed to me to add 2 more miles to my regular distance.  Albeit a SLOW 5 miles it was still a step (or steps) in the right direction.  Following the event everyone just hangs out in the store for a bit chatting, eating cookies, snacks, and waters.  Nike gives everyone nice promotions.  I got a free bag for signing up, they keep track of your mileage and you can earn further awards, and coupons for 30% off.  I would say that it might save me money but the truth is that going in there week after week with my compusion to buy cool new techie wear will probably mean my tears to my credit card.

It was nice.  A healthy alternative in the city is just what I was looking for.  Now my next running opportunity has a little twist.

On the 16th shuttle heading back home I chatted with a few fellow runners.  They asked if I had done any of the Irish Snug runs yet.  I had not.  It was then they shared the story of the 200+ person runs that start and finish at the Irish Snug on Colfax.  These runs are a reported 3 miles long and are followed by some great beverage deals and food for the members.  Here are the rules for the club…

1. Meet each Thursday to run at 6:15 or 6:30 pm at The Irish Snug at 1201 East Colfax on Capitol Hill. In the event of inclement weather, please call the pub to determine if the run will be held (303.839.1394).
2. Find the person with the clipboard and identify yourself so they can record your attendance. If you provide your e-mail address you will receive reminders and club news on a regular basis.
3. Announcements, if any, will be shortly before the runs.
4. Run / Walk / Trot / Stagger / Crawl. No jaywalking!  Remember also these following tips:
   • Share The Trail – Other runners in the park (yes, there are a few runners out there that aren’t members, yet) need to be able to run there without getting knocked over.
   • Pick Up After Your Dog – we all love dogs (I think) and if you must run with yours, you have to pick up after it.
   • Wear Your Irish Snug Runners Shirt – Hey, this is what we ran for at the beginning isn’t it? To get the coveted running shirt. So show pride and wear it.
5. After you participate in ten run / walk / trot / stagger / crawls you will be awarded an Irish Snug Running Club t-shirt in the pub after the run / walk / trot / stagger / crawl.
6. To enjoy discounted beer prices you must wear the Irish Snug Running Club shirt you have earned after the run. If you have not yet earned your shirt please be prepared for a body sweat inspection to verify your participation.
7. Drink specials for the members are from 6:30 – 9:00 PM only.
8. Eat, drink, and socialize!

Sounds like a really fun way to keep running through the winter.  I just have to make sure the post run doesn’t nullify the benefits of the run itself.  You know what I mean, no 6 pack abs diet ever called for Guiness that I know of.

That covers two nights a week.  I’ll take my first run this coming Thursday… wahoo!

I guess I’ll throw out one more idea for you.  This one isn’t based in Denver but was tossed at me by an old friend from High School through that cult like web site Facebook.  The challenge is one hundred pushups.  Basically, you do a test to find out how truly out of shape you are in terms of pushups (C’mon, be humbled) and then gives you a multi week challenge to get up to 100.  I did my test, my challenge starts Monday.  Join me.

I’ll try and keep throwing other Get Fit Denver ideas out there.  Share any other runs you know of and see you on the trail.