+ Thursday evening run: Mt. Falcon time trial (T=3, P=5, N=2)**
+ Saturday's Evergreen Runners Circle run: O'Fallon Park (T=2, P=3,
N=3)**.
+ Orienteering
+ Races, clinics and other upcoming events


This Thursday's run is our monthly time trail at Mt. Falcon (T=3,
P=5, N=2)**. This is the last scheduled time trial of the season. The
main group will start at 6:00pm plus handicap (see below). A smaller,
informal group usually starts around 5:30pm; look for Scott, Ray,
Connie or Kim.
Sunset 7:07pm; End civil twilight 7:34pm.

We handicap the starts, with the slowest runners starting first, so
that everyone finishes together. If you have run the time trial
before, you will have an assigned start time. If not, use the formula
below to estimate your starting time. Please send me your time if you
didn't report it last time.

Estimating start time: 1) Take a recent road 10k time; 2) Multiply
that time by 3/4 (less if you are strong on hills, more if you
aren't); 3) Subtract this time from 44:00 to get your start time. If
your adjusted time is over 44:00, start at 0:00. Example: 1) 10k time
of 50:00; 2) 3/4 of that is 37:30; 3) Subtract from 44 gives a start
time of 6:30.

Route: The time trial course is ~2.5mi, and 1,500'. Start by the
bathrooms at the bottom. Follow the Castle Trail, staying left at the
junction about 100 yards after the start. Finish at the gazebo.
There's a trail junction a little past halfway up the course. Stay
left. Your time on the upper part should be a couple of minutes
faster than on the lower part. The time trial is a chance to track
your progress throughout the season.
http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/ext/dpt/comm_res/openspac/falcon.htm

Directions: Take C-470 to Morrison Rd., hwy 74. Go west, through the
town of Morrison. Turn left onto hwy 8. About 1 mile up the hill,
look for signs to the park. Turn right onto Forrest. Take the next
right to the park. If the lot is full, you may have to park on the
road. From hwy 285, and the south, take the hwy 8 exit, the first
exit west of C-470. About 1 mile north of The Fort restaurant, look
for Forrest drive and signs to the park. For an alternate route to
avoid C-470 traffic from the north, stay on I-70 west to the Red
Rocks exit, #259. Go left and take hwy 93 ~3mi into Morrison. Turn
right in Morrison, then left at hwy 8. There's a concert at Red Rocks
that night. This might affect traffic on the alternate route. To
avoid traffic on C-470 from DTC, take Belleview west to Santa Fe. Go
right to hwy 285. Turn left and take 285 to C-470.

Schedule (subject to change):
9/23: South Table Mtn. Sunset 6:55pm; End civil twilight 7:22pm.

++++++++++

Saturday's Evergreen Runners Circle (ERC) run is at O'Fallon Park
(T=2, P=3, N=4)**.

Take C-470 to the Morrison exit, hwy 74. Go west, through Morrison,
and continue about 6mi to Kittredge. The park entrance is on the
left, shortly before the intersection with Meyers Gulch Road.

The ERC runs are usually 60-90 minutes long. Occasionally, some
people will start early, or run longer, to get in more mileage. They
usually go out for coffee/breakfast afterwards. Several of us do the
ERC runs, but I don't organize them. Please forward your questions to
Dave via the ERC link below. For more info about the ERC schedules,
go to:
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Lodge/7018/index.html

Schedule:
9/25: Evergreen Lakehouse
10/2: Elk Meadow, lower lot

++++++++++

Orienteering involves finding your way through a series of
checkpoints, using a specialized topographic map, using only the map
and a compass. You choose the route, either on or off trail, that
will help you find all the checkpoints and get to the finish line in
the shortest amount of time. Each checkpoint, or "control," is a
distinct mapped feature such as a trail junction, a boulder, a
hilltop, etc. Orienteering is often called "the thinking sport"
because it requires map reading, problem solving, and quick decision-
making skills in addition to athletic ability and general physical
fitness.

There is an orienteering meet this Sunday at Bear Creek Lake Park in
Lakewood. I am setting the courses. There will be 5 foot courses, and
1 bike course. The foot courses range from beginner to advanced. On
the easiest course, all the controls will be on or next to a trail,
it will be about 1-1.5 miles, and is suitable for kids (with and
adult). The courses step up in difficulty and length. On the most
advanced course, you will be off trail most of the time, and will
probably want leg protection as you wade through the thick brush. The
bike course will be on dirt trails.

There are loaner compasses and beginner instruction available.
Courses will open at 9:30am. Starts are staggered, so you can't
follow someone, and will continue until noon. Show up anytime from
about 9:15 until 11:30, although earlier is better if this is your
first time. The competition is very low-keyed. There are no awards.
The local RMOC meets are more about fun and practice.

Please visit http://www.fortnet.org/RMOC/ for more details.

++++++++++

* This is a fun, new course that I helped design. It's mostly single
track, but not that technical or hilly. It's a great chance to
explore some new trails in Chatfield that many people don't know
about. The Colo Masters races are fun, inexpensive, and low-keyed.
And, you don't have to be a master to join or run.

*9/18; Chatfield 10-mile; Chatfield State Park;
http://www.comastersrun.org; Kim (303) 765-5512

9/18; Vail Evergold; 10k; Vail; http://www.vailrec.com; (970) 479-2280

9/18; Sombrero Ranch Roundup; 4.1mi; Estes Park;
http://www.bolderboulder.com/sombrero.cfm;
mattjenkins@...; (303) 444-7223

9/19; Golden Leaf; 13.5mi; Snowmass to Aspen;
http://www.utemountaineer.com; (970) 925-9360

9/21, 7:30pm; Running Seminar with Bobby McGee; Schlessman Family
YMCA, Colorado & Yale, Denver; $12 in advance, $15 at the door; John
Oliva, 303-929-8681; John@...

10/2; Trophy Series; 8mi; Chatfield State Park, Littleton;
http://www.rmrr.org; rmrr@...; (303) 871-8366

10/2; Danielesque Trail Run; 23k, 46k; White Ranch;
http://www.pmimage.com/danielesque.html; (303) 271-1935

10/9; Telegraph Trail Run; 25k, 50k; Durango;
http://www.durangomarathon.com; (970) 375-2413

10/17; Coal Creek XC Challenge; 5.5mi; Louisville;
http://www.comastersrun.org;

11/7; Trophy Series; 10mi; Waterton Canyon; http://www.rmrr.org;
rmrr@...; (303) 871-8366

++++++++++

** Trail Rating - 1-5 scale, 1 being the easiest.
T = technical difficulty (rocks, narrow, curves, etc.)
P = physical difficulty (length, steepness and number of climbs)
N = navigational difficulty (ease of following the routes)