Rainy Miles Above NCAR

My friend Ryan and I headed up toward the trails above the National Center for Atmospheric Research this afternoon without much of a plan. It was drizzling — that steady, light rain that makes everything feel quiet. We said it would just be a hike. Nothing crazy.

The climb up NCAR Road warmed us up immediately. Jackets half-zipped, rain on our hats, talking about random stuff — work, life, nothing important. The Flatirons looked darker than usual, almost moody. There’s something about Boulder in the rain that feels more intimate.

By the time we hit the NCAR-to-water tank climb, we were breathing harder and laughing at how soaked our shoes already were. At some point, we just started jogging stretches. It wasn’t discussed. It just happened. The trail felt good underfoot — soft but grippy from the rain.

It turned into one of those in-between efforts. Not a full send run. Not a slow hike either. Just steady movement. Six miles total. 1,974 feet of climbing. 2:11:07 of moving time. The kind of outing where you’re aware you’re working, but you’re not checking your watch every five minutes.

Mesa Trail had us quiet for a bit — mostly because we were climbing and breathing. But even that felt good. Legs are burning a little. Rain dripping off the brim. No music. Just footsteps and wind.

What I’ll probably remember most is how simple it felt. Just being outside. Moving. Talking. Going quiet. Starting to run again. No big goal. No performance mindset. Just letting the afternoon unfold.

By the time we came down, the rain had softened to a mist. We were muddy and tired in the best way. It felt like we’d wrung the day out completely.

Nothing dramatic. Just a really good afternoon spent moving through the mountains with a friend.