12 myles - 1.33:28

Combo Lone tree/HR loop - 3:00 p.m.
80s, mild wind, partly cloudy
mind/body - sluggish
HR max/avg - 171/151

I needed to mix it up a bit today to keep it lively. I started out on the Lone Tree loop and did 1.5 laps ( 1 lap in 18:14). I decided that I didn't want to go round and round to get the myles in so I hopped off the trail toward the top and bush whacked my way South towards the HR loop. Douglas county is eventually going to put in a East/West trail that will span about 30 myles from Parker to Chatfield reservoir but has yet to be completed. I took my best guess as to where the trail might be and started along a ridge that had some faint game trails. It turned out to be more difficult than I anticipated because I had to go in and out of a few shallow canyons with thick scrub oak, makes the run more exciting. I finally hooked onto the HR loop trail and came home via the finished portion of the east/west trail. Along the way I apparently kicked some little cactus and eventually the cactus quills made it into my socks. Pretty painful for little sliver, hair like quills..... or then again maybe I'm just a wimp.