Autumn - Changing of the season

Autumn has finally arrived here at altitude.  I'd say it's 4ish weeks later than usual.  Blame the rains.  All the moisture in Aug and Sept has pushed Mother Natures schedule back a bit.  But it came on all of a sudden this week ... no scrub oak turning first and all,  just BAM, golden colors and light snows in the high mountains (see the pic).  As an aside, we have a trail half marathon here every year the third weekend in Sept called the Golden Leaf.  This year it was unofficially dubbed the Green Leaf.  Enough said.

Yep, that's one big smile on my face

I've been road biking much more this year than I have the past couple of ones.  I had intentionally cut back a few years ago in an effort to curb my chronic cardio 'problem'.  I managed to do it quite well if I do say so myself.  Mostly I've gone for walks with occasional rides thrown in and I pretty much quit running altogether (not sprinting).  I told myself that if I ever felt the urge to run, then I would.  I've ended up running about once per summer.  That's not very much, especially compared to what I used to do.  But slowing down and listening to my body allowed me to make this adjustment with full confidence it was for my overall better health.  In particular, ditching the hard training and racing was a good thing.  I may have a talent for pushing myself harder than your average person, but it turns out this is probably a disadvantage in disguise.  At least when it comes to long rides and runs.

So, I'm riding more this year.  And I'm loving it.  I have always loved road riding.  I know it's probably not optimal health wise to over do it, but there are some changes coming my way and I have to soak all of this in now.  The ride up to the Maroon Bells is literally the closest ride from my front door (that's where I'm headed in the pic).  For most cyclists, this is the ride of a lifetime.  I've been nothing less than truly blessed to have called this place my home for the past 15 years.

Interestingly, the natural flow of riding a few times a week has seen me completely forgo my sprinting the past couple of months.  I know, blasphemy for Mr. Sprint right?  But you know what?  It's just what happened when I upped the cycling.  I listened to what my body was telling me.  Novel concept eh?