Back in the Saddle

Oh yeah, that's the smile of a girl back in her happy place. I relaxed well for 12 days and didn't even attempt to do, well - anything. That's what recovery is all about right? This wasn't an "active recovery" this was more like "eat, couch and relax recovery". It was awesome. While I didn't miss the running, I sure did miss the mountains. So, on Friday I laced up the trail runners and headed out for 3 hours of leisurely cruising on some mellow trails around Banff, to work out the cobwebs. It turns out there weren't any cobwebs - my legs felt great and they wanted to run.

Johnson Lake

So, on Saturday I went for a another run. It's finally summer in the Canadian Rockies. It's the time of year that I live for, when you can finally access the high country for a mere 3 months. Of course, summer in the high country means that on this particular day, we got snow on Deception Pass. No worries, it was still beautiful and you can always dress for the weather. I was in the company of good people and I was running. Running!

Deception Pass, Skoki Backcountry

Melody, in her Happy Place

Ptarmigan Lake

Redoubt Mountain

Angela, Myotis Lake

Skoki Mountain

Zigadenus Lake

Needless to say, I was pretty stoked to be out there. The legs felt good, my energy was great and the scenery was awesome. My mind is working overtime with future high alpine running fantasies. Soon. Soon.

After a most fantastic day, the day got even better. There was a concert in town to celebrate Banff National Parks 125 Anniversary. So, even though I was filthy from a day on the trails, I pulled on my jeans and wooly base layer (I wouldn't stink, right?) and strolled 5 minutes to the show. It was the best $12 I've spent in awhile because I got to go dancing for an hour and a half to Spirit of the West! In my own backyard! If you're Canadian and you're my age, you know ever word to every Spirit of the West song. There was something absolutely magical about the evening, the music and dancing with Mount Rundle in the background.

I was having a complete love-in with all-things-Banff.

So naturally, I had to go visit one more pretty place before my weekend wrapped up. I met up with a new friend, Nadja - and we headed up Corey Pass in less than ideal weather. For a weekend of crap weather, I sure had a good time.

I love my backyard and I'm back in the saddle. Giddy-up!