And I will tell you why:

1.  What other sport besides hiking (lame) allows you to speed along beautiful mountainside trails, bursting with fresh greenery, scented with spring flowers under a blue and yellow Boulder sunset?  Or along the Austrian Alps, or through the twisted streets of Zürich, or along the beach in Fiji?

“Cycling?” you quip.  Maybe.  But you can’t enjoy the view to the same extent without a much higher potential death rate.  Besides, it is more expensive.

2.  Running, on the other hand, is the most economical of sports.  It maximizes calories burned per dollar spent on its pursuit.  On average, you  expend 1,100 calories per dollar spent racking up those miles.  Other sports pale in comparison, 625 for roller blading, 350 for kayaking (kayaking is great though) and golf clocks in at a mere 30 calories used per dollar.

3.  In addition to its economic and calorie burning benefits, it is easily customizable for all people.  Whether you are a warrior who battles the clock and others, the Average Joe just looking for a workout, need a good way to spend time with your honey, or enjoy adventuring through new towns and trails for the chance to explore the world and your own boundaries, there really is something for everyone, at the convenience of your front door.

4.  It brings together all types.  Especially nice old men.  Always friendly, there is always something that you have in common; it is the easiest way to make new friends, even if it is just for a few minutes.

I could go on, but suffice it to say that training is going well.  I realized that I care more about pushing myself and enjoying my runs more than I care about placing in races, but I am still going to try my hardest.

Today was my first real day of training for the Pikes Peak Ascent.  I decided to hit up the Mesa Trail for a little while before the thunderstorm hit, and I was reminded of why I love Boulder.

First, it seems that every time I head out on the trail, I can’t concentrate on the rocks that I am about to trip on for the stellar views that I am afforded.  After running up a couple hundred feet there are lakes, other mountains, the brick buildings, and green hills as far as the eye can see.

Second, I have a whole network of trails in my backyard, seemingly unpopulated.  When I do meet people though, they are always interesting and kind.  From the guy who told me not to run down a certain way so as to not be eaten by a bear, to local entrepreneurs and my tango teacher, everyone has an interesting story and nice things to say.  When I am breathing hard, words of encouragement always follow from other hikers and runners.

It is finally summertime here, the trails are no longer covered in snow, ice, and mud (for the most part) and I am so excited to be living in a city filled with so many nice people and great opportunities.  I finally see what everyone was talking about and why Boulder is one of the most sought after zip codes in the country.    It is a pretty unique town though, that is for sure. 

Pikes Peak

Having completed my travels around Europe, I am in need of my next big challenge.  This year, it is going to be on the 18th of August, in the form of a big race up Pikes Peak, 13.3 miles to be precise.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this is not the typical half marathon.  It involves running up 7800 vertical feet to a summit of over 14,000 feet.  This challenge will be an oxygen deprived scramble to say the least.  I have made my goals though, and I figure that if I put them out for everyone to see, I will be more likely to reach them, right?

1.  Finish the race.

2.  Finish in the top ten women.

3.  Finish in less than 3 hours.

My goals are historically mutually exclusive, and unless the competition is way better this year, I think that those are realistic.  Today is my first day of training, hopefully it will go well!

I have been back in Colorado for a week and all the ramifications of my trip are finally starting to sink in. I have been told that it takes three months to process all of the things that you have seen while traveling for every one month that you spend abroad. After one week though, I have drawn some conclusions.

The Vital Stats: visited 7 new countries, slept in 25 different beds, mostly adhered to my mission of running in every city with a grand total of 13 cities, and making many new friends that I hope to stay in contact with.

I have gained many new skills including becoming an expert in communicating with minimal words, the uncanny ability to fall asleep instantly on any form of public transport, as well as the tricks and treacheries of public transport, shoulders of steel from carrying a backpack everywhere, the ability to learn about new cultures, languages, and histories, and tastes for all kinds of foreign foods.

I have also learned many personal lessons. I have expanded my comfort zone and become more independent, learning to navigate foreign places on my own. I have had total control over my destination and learned how to interact with hundreds of new people, as well as learning how to be with myself. I have a better idea of what I want to do with myself, and learned lessons from others. I want to be a kinder and more generous person to strangers as a result of both the kindness and indifference that was shown to me.

I really like it when people smile back at me on the street. I really hate whiners, and I am glad I stopped being one (thanks, Rachel).

Most importantly, I remembered my positive attitude and zest for life.  There is so much beauty in the world, as well as great things to discover, it is almost impossible for me to be down anymore.  I hope that I can remember all of the lessons and new feelings that I had, and apply them to my everyday life back here in Boulder.   I also learned that it is really nice to be home, and there is the opportunity to discover  new things all around me every day.  Should be good.

Check back for more tales in the future, it doesn’t end with Europe!