Yeah. That's right.

So, where were you Sunday morning at 7? In bed sleeping, or maybe reading the paper with a cup of coffee? Really? That's nice...for you, anyway.

For the first time in what seems like an eternity, I got up to spend at least part of a weekend with CS and his family. Reminded me how much I miss all of them and how much more often I need to get back up there. And part of the plan for the weekend was to tackle the Incline in Manitou Springs (which we wouldn't really do because it's illegal). The Incline is an abandoned cog railway track that goes up one of the lower hills at the foot of Pike's Peak. It's basically a mile-long staircase of railroad ties, some with a 2-3 foot rise between steps/ties. The track is actually a little treacherous in spots and since lawyers can ruin any and everything, it's posted as private property and illegal to hike up, down, or maybe even look at. Hence, neither I, nor CS, nor any of the other 50ish people we didn't see not on the trail were there on Sunday. Because that would be illegal.

I can't believe it was that long ago, but a little over 2 1/2 years ago, CS and I went up and hit the trail (which we wouldn't really do because it's illegal) before going to one of the li'l CSer's soccer games. Now, this trail is almost exactly a mile long, it starts at 6,574 feet above sea level and finishes up at 8,585 feet. A gain of 2,011 in altitude. In just over a mile. And I'm already breathing heavy just from walking from the car to the start of the trail. Anyway, first time out, I made it up maybe 2/3 of it before we had to bail off of it onto a nearby trail and get to the game. Never felt good about not being able to finish it, and have wanted to go back and beat it ever since. Which, of course, I wouldn't ever do because it's illegal.

Fast forward to Sunday morning. CS and I were out of the house at 6:15 and started up the trail before 7. Like last time, which never happened, I was already breathing heavy by the time we got to the trail head. Started off at a slow but steady pace, which I was able to keep up for about the first 1/3 of a mile. Then the slope really kicked in (as much as a 68% grade), and I slowed waaaaay down. But dammit if I didn't get to the top and finish that bastard. Except I didn't, because that would be illegal. CS, of course, bounded up the thing, then came back down a little less than 1/4 of the way, and pep talked me the rest of the way up. Some day I'm going to be able to run like that guy.

Just not up the Incline, because, you see, that would be illegal.