Rock Your World!

This is a funny time of year. The snow keeps falling, so the ground is too wet to go hiking or mountain biking, but the air outside is definitely beginning to warm up from the winter months. So, what is an outdoors gal like me to do? Climb!

We went out on the rock for a climb last weekend. I hadn't been out on the rock in a while, so I was a bit rusty, but what an amazing experience! We went up to Horsetooth Reservoir near Rotary Park at the Cat Eye. We dropped a rope down on one of the bolted paths, and we worked out all of our safety issues before we started out. The leader of our group went first to test the equipment and to find the lines before we got on to try it out.

After a few minutes of watching him ascend gracefully and easily, it was my turn to jump on the rope and take my ascent up the rock. The wind was blowing swiftly all around the rock and us so that it created some anxiety and nervousness. I tried to start at the overhang a couple of times and then moved up on top of a rock to avoid the overhang and just get started. Once I got on the rock and realized how stable it felt under my fingers and my toes, I began one hand hold and foot hold at a time to reach for the top of the rock. Before I knew it, I was at the top looking down and trying to traverse across the rock and back to the rope to be lowered down. Ahhhh! After touching the ground, I felt a rush of energy all through my body for having accomplished something that seemed so challenging in the beginning. It really excited and stimulated me all at the same time. I was ready for more!

We went through the rotation and then decided to take another route right next to the one we were working on. It was a bit more difficult because the footholds and handholds were not as distinct as they were in the previous climb. Nonetheless, I was ready. I began my ascension and felt the rock carrying me up and up. I traversed across the face, where I got a little stuck. Instead of being lowered back down, I decided to climb back down so that I could remember what I was doing to get up to that point.

After returning to the ground, our leader showed us how to get back up to the diamond and what to do next. I roped back up and tried it again. Back up the same route that I had started the previous time, and then, a slight change in a hand hold and a foot hold, and I was there! The diamond was staring me right in the face. This time I allowed myself to fall from the rock and let the rope catch me. I was lowered slowly back to the ground by the belayer. Just a few climbs is all it took. I felt more grounded and connected to the earth. Talk about a "Rock Your World" experience! Climbing is addicting stuff!

If you would like more information on climbing and getting outdoors, visit our website at: http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/

Rockin' and Rollin'

The Mountain Kayak Polo group is doing kayak rolling lessons on two Thursday nights for the winter season, last night was one of them. I enthusiastically went so that I could really start to learn to be comfortable in the boat and with going underwater, which I am very afraid of, much less being strapped into a plastic boat that isn't very easy to get out of.

So, I showed up and geared up getting ready for the hour-long lesson ahead. It was good. We had about eight people there ready to learn with two instructors. We split into two groups and worked on our "hip snaps". I spent a lot of time on the side of the pool really trying to engrain that muscle memory so that it would become second nature at some point.

I was finally starting to get it! Relax the left leg and pull the right knee and hip up and back like a dance kick. Over and over again, I tried it. On the right side ten times and then on the left side ten times. I assumed just like with any sport you have to do it over and over again in order for your body and mind to really get it together. It's also like learning another language. You have to know it so well that you don't think about it when you do it. You just flip back up when you go under.

The lesson that we took last week actually taught us to try to stay on top of the water instead of even doing a roll. I thought it was a good first lesson to learn because you really do want to enjoy kayaking upright without smashing your face against the rocks on the bottom of a river. And then if you do go under, to learn to pull yourself back up instead of exiting the boat. It is really a beautiful movement if you've ever seen it done well.

After practicing on my own for some time, a few of the Kayak Polo players came over to help us "Rollers", and one person in particular really helped me to get going. He was so patient with me and explained everything very well. I was finally able to go completely underwater and try to hip-snap back up. I was doing it with his help and the use of my hands mostly, but my fear of the water was beginning to fade, and I was starting to feel the motion a little more each time. When I went completely under the water, I would get disoriented and forget about what I needed to do to get back up. I would work on my torso and then forget about my hips or work on my hips and then forget about my torso. Needless to say, I still have quite a bit more work to do, but I'm getting there slowly but surely.

I will once again attend next week's Rolling Session at the EPIC Center at 9pm with the Mountain Kayak Polo group, and then, with any luck, I'll be out playing kayak polo with even more confidence than ever! Now that's what I call Rockin' and Rollin'!

For more information about Whitewater Kayaking and Kayak Polo, you can visit our website at http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ or the Mountain Kayak Polo website at: mkp.kayakpolo.com - See you outdoors!

Going the Distance

I've been running for as long as I can remember. I think that I started at some point in high school to get ready for a backpacking trip to Colorado with my youth group. I didn't necessarily like it, but it was a cheap and seemingly easy form of exercise for a 16- or 17-year old girl to take up. Regardless of my affinity to running, I kept at it even after high school and into college. Again, as a poor college student, I couldn't really afford bicycles, rollerblades, skis, or other sports equipment. Not only that, but I really didn't know how to get into those sports anyway, so it seemed so much easier to just go out for a run.

That's what I've been doing ever since. I ran in races, and never did very well until a couple of years ago. I got a little more serious with my running and started to actually be a little competitive. Granted, I was never in the top 10, but middle-of-the pack was good for me. I found my favorite places to run, and went there as often as possible. I even treated myself after my runs to breakfast at my favorite cafe or bagel shop. I slowly and gradually over the years came to enjoy the sport of running. I even tried to share it with my friends by inviting them out on runs instead of happy hours. It seemed so much more healthy to get outdoors and work your tension and stress out on the running path than in a noisy bar that is just as stressful as the office.

I ran my first half-marathon exactly two years ago, and loved it! I worked so hard to get there, and I made so many attempts along the way. Finally achieving a goal after years of wanting, is such a sweet feeling. I often had trouble with my knees, and that year of training was no different that the previous years I had trained. As soon as my mileage got above ten miles, my knees started to tweak. After months of acupuncture, rest, and yoga, I got back to training. I crossed the finish line with my very dear friend, Doc Pepper, who ran next to me the whole way singing and trying to make me laugh. It mostly worked. I kept to my iPod mostly, though, and tried to concentrate on the miles that lay before me.

After moving to Colorado, I was sad to not have running in my life anymore. It seemed to be too cold outside to go for a run. I started to run again when the spring came, and I abandoned it once again this time for cycling. I went on runs every now and again when I couldn't get out on my bike, but I mostly stuck to yoga and cycling during the spring, summer, and fall.

The snow started to fall this winter, and my bicycles were hung up not to be seen again until the spring. I didn't actually start running until a friend came to town, and I went out for a run with her in the crisp, cold early morning. I stayed a few steps behind her with my dog, but I ran the entire distance. I had forgotten how good it felt to get out and run in the morning. The cold didn't really seem to matter, either. It actually felt good.

Now, I'm getting in about two to three runs a week along with all of my other activities. It gets me out of the office for a little while and even in the snow, it just feels good to get out and move around outdoors. I still do my own little fun runs. On the weekends or my days off, I'll run into town and meet my husband for a cup of coffee and breakfast. I run to my yoga classes or my book club instead of riding my bicycle. I still get my exercise, and I don't have to drive.

So, the next time you're thinking about going out for a run, do it! It makes all the difference to just get out there and go the distance...

Northern Colorado Outdoors will be participating in the Horsetooth Half marathon this year as well as the Bolder Boulder and the Colorado Marathon. If you would like to join us for any of these events, join now by going to our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Hibernate or Adapt

With snow on the ground once again along the Front Range of Northern Colorado, we are not staying holed up in our homes and offices trying to stay away from it, but just the opposite! We are looking for ways to get out and enjoy it!

I came to Northern Colorado last year and spent most of my time inside because of the dramatic winter that seemed to be occuring outside. Being from Houston, Texas, it was terribly dramatic to me. I spent a lot of time working on my computer, watching television and movies, and reading. I was somewhat depressed because I couldn't get out and do my normal activities that kept me fit and sane. When the spring and summer came, I completely forgot about the winter.

After having gone through an entire turn of seasons, we are again in the midst of another winter, and this time, I'm ready. I went out and bought some good solid winter gear, hats, gloves, and shoes. I don't look outside and see the temperature and cringe anymore. I just put more clothes on and head outdoors. I have some snowshoes now that I take up into the mountains and go for long hikes through the woods and along the trails.

It is so peaceful outdoors after a long, hard snow. The noise levels seem to be so much lower, the snow falls as if cotton hitting the ground unlike rain that seems to beat down on the ground, and everything is a shade of white or grey. At night, the snow seems as if to be illuminated. The reflection of the moon and the stars in the snow puts out a silvery shimmer and glow that seems to be from some other planet. It truly is a magical experience.

One of my dogs really loves the snow. He will stay outside and play and roll around in it. He even eats it and digs his nose down into it to find his sticks. I stand at the window and watch him and laugh. He will come up with snow covering his nose and face. Sometimes I will go out and join him and throw the stick for him. I know that I could learn a lot from this goofy Golden Retriever that thinks he is a snow dog. His playfulness at the cold and the snow is so refreshing.

So, living in Colorado has certainly been an adjustment, but not one that I couldn't make. The snow and the cold have given me the opportunity to try new things. I now know how to drive a Jeep the way it was meant to be driven (in 4wd). I go for my runs whether it is snowy or sunny outside. I relish the weekends when I get out and snowshoe or ski. I love driving around town and seeing things like kids playing hockey on the frozen lake or the Old Town lights shimmering in the falling snow. Winter truly is a magical time of year, and it is such a relief to have adapted to it and be able to enjoy it.

I met a man in a coffee shop in Old Town during one of our last long, hard snows. I was a little bummed and a little excited all at the same time about the snow. He could see my frustration and told me, "All you need is a good coat and a good, sturdy pair of winter boots, and you'll be fine." I didn't get his name to give him credit for his small piece of advice, but he was right. I stopped my whining and adapted.

Another great way to enjoy the Winter and the snow is at Grand Lake. They have a winter festival each year in February, and this year it is commencing on February 7th. They have all kinds of activities from ice sculpting to teapot curling and even a bed sledding competition! At only two hours away from most of the Front Range, it's a great little weekend getaway to enjoy the mountains and the winter. And, to be completely cliche, "If you can't beat the cold, join the cold."

If you would like to join Northern Colorado Outdoors for some of our winter activities, visit our website at: http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ We will be joining Bayou City Outdoors in Grand Lake for the Winter Festival, and we will be finishing up the month snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Up and Up and Up We Go!

Of all the sports I do, climbing is one of my favorites. My husband teases me telling me that I go to the climbing gym just like the folks that go to Spin classes and never get on a bicyle. I disagree. I tend to think that there is a lot of benefit in going to the gym to climb and you can certainly see the results as you get out on the rock. Just like those people that go to Spin classes generally get out on a bicycle and know how to ride better than most of us that have been riding for years and never taken a spin class because they know the basic technique of spinning. Climbing in the gym helps to build that muscle memory and technique when you can't get out on the rock especially in the winter time in Colorado. The gym exposes you to other climbers that are serious about the sport, and it exposes you to the technique itself so that you can become a better climber.

I have done both. I go to the gym on a regular basis, and I have been out on the rock, and I admit, they are very different sports. I have found that going to the gym has helped to improve my skills as a climber. I have to tell you, though, there is nothing like being out on the rock. The solid foundation of the rock under your fingers and your toes. The gravity of being completely in the moment encapsulates you driving you further up the mountain one foothold and one handhold at a time. Choosing your own lines and your own path as you finish your climb only when you have reached the top and you can see out over the whole world. It is magical and scary all at the same time. I can see now why climbers become addicted to the sport.

Climbing is also a relatively inexpensive sport to get into. A harness for about $50, some shoes on sale for about $50, and some other odds and ends. It winds up being much less than buying a bicycle and all the gear associated with that or even buying a kayak. If you know others that climb, then sharing equipment is optimal; however, for safety's sake, always make sure that the equipment is also of good quality and in good condition.

Climbing is a dangerous sport. It is important to know the people that you climb with so that you can communicate effectively to your belay person and even to any others that are around. Many people have fallen to their deaths as a result of poor communication, faulty equipment, or some other minor detail that was forgotten in the process of getting out and climbing. Safety is the number one priority out on the rock, and having fun is second.

There are many opportunities to get out and climb in Colorado. The mountains are at our doorstep, and Horsetooth is one of the most popular places in the area to boulder, which is climbing up boulders without using any harnesses or belay equipment. You generally have a mat underneath you to catch your fall, and it is wise to also have a buddy around to help you with the climb and to help break the fall as well. There are even a few south facing rocks in the area that you can traverse even during the winter time. Doing your research and learning more about these locations is key. It is always good to have someone with you that knows more about climbing than you do at least until you feel like you have "learned the ropes".

Otherwise, if you're just getting started, the gym is a good place to start. Inner Strength Rock Gym in Fort Collins has some good routes and there are always people around to help. They have half-price Fridays for climbing, which is Northern Colorado Outdoors goes out. Miramont Lifestyle also has a climbing wall with more difficult routes and they have day passes just for the climbing wall as well. So, if you're interested in getting out and learning a new sport, this is a great one to try.

Winter Season Kayak Polo Begins!

Kayak Polo? Who ever heard of Kayak Polo? I saw some people in kayaks throwing a ball around in Lake Travis when I lived in Austin and thought that they were nuts to play polo in kayaks. Ha! Who knew I would actually be out there playing it someday?

Kayak Polo has been around for quite some time. Apparently, the sport originated in Duisberg, Germany, in 1987; although, traces of the sport can be found even as early as 1875 in and around the United Kingdom (1). Kayak polo now has quite a good following throughout the world, and is even being recognized by the Olympic Committee as a possible addition to the Summer Sports Games.

Kayak polo is played in a pool or lake with specific boundaries set up. There is a goal on each end and a waterpolo ball is used to make goals as players traverse the court. The sport has also been referred to as being similar to basketball in water and in kayaks. Most of the rules of the game are meant to maintain safety, and the boats are equipped with foam or cushion on either end of the boat to protect the players from any major injuries. Players are expected to wear personal flotation devices and a helmet with a face mask. The paddles that are used also have specific restrictions to prevent injuries.

Otherwise, it is a great way for whitewater kayakers to stay in shape in the off-season, especially in Colorado. You can hone your skills or just get out and have fun. There are options for all levels of players and not just for those serious about winning. The Mountain Kayak Polo group in Fort Collins just started the Winter Season at the EPIC Center just south of Prospect on Riverside. There is a beginner's group and an intermediate group. The games are open to the public, though, they encourage you to join a team and make a commitment to the group because of the cost of equipment, pool rental, and insurance. For more information on getting involved in Kayak Polo, visit the Mountain Kayak Polo website at mkp.kayakpolo.com

If I can play it, you can, too! So, jump in and have a ball!

(1) Boat, Paddle and Ball, A Short History of Canoe Polo by Ian Beasley

Yoga Day USA!

When I first got into Yoga, Yoga Day USA was over Labor Day with "Free Day of Yoga" going on across the country. I suppose it has grown so much that they had to find a different day, and it was decided that January 24th would be that day. It seems to make some sense to choose this day. It is only a few weeks after the new year, and what a great time to try something new! It is also two days before the Chinese New Year and the New Moon, which provides some Eastern influence regardless of the ethnicity.

Yoga Day USA for me is about sharing Yoga with those that don't know anything about Yoga and giving yoga to those that already do. It is about opening people's eyes to a - dare I say it? - spiritual world that exists all around us. Yoga is a path to help us find ourselves and our spirit.

Several studios around Fort Collins have set up activities based on this same premise. They have a wide range of activities to help people discover the full concept of the lifestyle of yoga. Treetop Studio has everything from an Asana class and singing bowls to a kids' yoga class and meditation. Old Town Yoga is celebrating Yoga Day USA in conjunction with their Grand Opening the following weekend with Kirtan from David Stringer and a small gathering to celebrate the practice of yoga.

I believe that we all need yoga in our lives. It doesn't have to be the kind of yoga that you move into a pretzel and hold it for five breaths, but the idea and the spirit of yoga that would help us to lead better and more fulfilled lives. I have been teaching yoga for five and a half years. I have been practicing for over ten years. It is a pleasure for me to teach beginner's classes and show people the path of yoga and to see the light in their eyes as they discover something new about themselves.

You can find just about any style that you are looking for between Fort Collins, Denver, and Boulder. Colorado seems to be a subset of the American culture in that it is a melting pot of people from many different states, so we are lucky to have some amazing instructors that trained before they arrived. Their training and knowledge have helped to guide the yoga community in Fort Collins to new depths.

So, if you haven't ever done yoga before, used to do yoga and haven't for a while, or are a long-time practitioner, visit your local studio on Yoga Day USA and celebrate the practice of yoga and what it means to you.

Northern Colorado Outdoors and Kristina Brown have a yoga class on Mondays at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins at 7pm. Kristina also teaches at Old Town Yoga and publishes the NoCO YoCo Newsletter monthly. Visit http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ for more details on the yoga class.

My Personal Outdoor Playground

Outdoors was the place to be last weekend! The weather was amazing. Who would have thought that it would be nearly seventy degrees in January in Colorado?

I got up fairly early and went for a 10-mile mountain bike ride up Michaud Lane and Reservoir Ridge. There weren't any mountain bikers out yet, so I mostly had the trail to myself. There were only hikers and their dogs traversing the climb to the top of the ridge. The wind was calm and the sun was shining as I stumbled up the climb the first time. Frustrated, I got off and walked a bit to conserve some energy. After getting to the top and heading down the back side, I was so excited that I made the descent full descent. There was a sketchy part that I was too afraid of until then. Not only that, but I made the descent on the second time around as well!

That pesky ledge was sitting on the backside of the ridge that I always have trouble with, so once again, I got off my bicycle and scurried up it. Someday I'll make it. I went back around for another loop, and did the climb a second time and nailed it! It was the best feeling ever to make all the right moves and stick to just the right line and put your foot down only when you make it to the top! Wahoo! What an accomplishment!

After two laps at the top of the ridge, I descended back down and headed for home to start the second part of my day.

After washing some dishes, a bit of work on the computer, a change of clothes, and gathering leashes, I loaded up the dogs with one of Northern Colorado Outdoors' members, and we headed to the trailhead at Reservoir Ridge to meet some others for a hike. We got the dogs unloaded and leashed and headed back up the climb that I had just returned from on my bike. There were four of us total, and we had a great time hiking up the foothills and turning every few steps to look over the city. What a great view from there! The dogs all had smiles on their faces. They were happy to be meeting other dogs, and smelling all of the new smells, and getting away from the house and back into nature.

At one point on the hike, we looked up and saw a herd of deer at the top of the ridge. They were beautiful and magestic as they stood looking out over the city. Luckily the dogs didn't see them, otherwise, we would have been chasing after them as they escaped for their hunt.

The wind had picked up on the hike and blew us around a bit. It was nothing that got in the way of having fun! We headed back down the foothills and loaded the dogs and people into our cars and said our farewells.

The last part of my day was spent doing yoga and relaxing from a day hard at play. I reflected on my day as I was sitting in meditation. Having an opportunity to get out and play as hard as I did, was gratifying. I didn't need a gym membership with the mountains and the lakes at my doorstep. It was as if I had my own personal playground just in my backyard.

Join us for our next hike or bike! Just check out our calendar and website for more details: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com