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Rafting the Colorado River and Jumping Past Fear!

August 1, 2014 By Heather Blackmon

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Last weekend, we checked two summer Colorado adventures off the list while Laura was in town. The first of the two was whitewater rafting with Colorado River Runs on the Colorado River. We actually picked up a Groupon in the spring and I used the rafting trip as an incentive to convince Laura to stay the week after my competition. It didn’t take too much arm twisting.

Rafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.com

Decked out in Fabletics: tank, sports bra, and shorts for a day on the water.

We decided to stay in Breckenridge for the weekend (my favorite mountain town!), so we got up early to drive to Radium for our rafting adventure. We purchased the full day option, which was very different than expected. The morning was spent on a typical raft, returned to the shop for lunch, then back to the same stretch of river for a second try on individual “duckies”.

From all the snow and rain we’ve had this year, the water level was 3 times higher than the same time last year. The river was swifter than our trip last year, although that also meant less paddling. The river was actually pretty calm and the rapids mellow, so it was more of a relaxing trip than the workout I was expecting.

Rafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.com

Luckily I had these crazy kids along to keep me entertained!

Near the end of the stretch of river we floated down, we stopped for cliff jumping. I immediately passed on the opportunity and was going to watch, but at the last minute I decided to take a chance. I never do this type of thing! Before giving myself much time to think about it, I started climbing the rock, shaking as I went. When I got to the top, I thought for sure I was going to back out. When the guide did the countdown (3….2…..1….jump), I stopped thinking and was suddenly in the air!

I know I screamed like a little girl on the way down, but suddenly I was in the FREEZING COLD water. Man it was cold! It was thrilling and scary and once was enough for me (Kirk did it 3 times). Mostly I was proud of myself for doing it – pushing past the fear to enjoy a new experience!

Here…

Rafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.com

Goes…

Rafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.com

Nothing…

Rafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.com

 

[Tweet “Jumping Past Fears while Rafting the #Colorado. #MoveHappy #FitFluential”]

After eating lunch, we headed back out on the river, but this time in individual “duckies”. These were basically inflatable kayaks and was a much better workout as we provided the only paddles for our boats. Yes! We had fun racing each other down the river, learning how to maneuver the boats. We had plenty of flat water to practice on before hitting the first rapids. The small rapids were so much more fun in the duckies!

Rafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.comRafting the Colorado River // FITaspire.com

Overall it was a fun day, although I would go back to the Arkansas River for our next rafting trip. I also would like to try some bigger rapids after having a few trips under my belt on the lower classes. I would love to fit in one more trip before the season ends, but I’m not sure there will be enough time left this year. Our schedules are already pretty packed through mid-September, so we may have to wait until next year. There’s always so much to do in Colorado, there’s never enough time!

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Questions for you:

  • Have you ever jumped off a cliff?
  • is there something you’re afraid to try that you could push past and do?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, Fitness, Lifestyle

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Welcome

Hi! I’m Heather, a yoga & wellness teacher based in Colorado... Read More…

"Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleano "Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt

What scares me is probably different than what scares you.

I am admittedly a timid mountain biker - but getting better every day.

I'm afraid to face plant, but still working on crow pose in yoga.

⬇️ What is one thing that scares you & how are you working on it?
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#mountainbiking #mtbiking #mtbdaily #mtblife #seemyadventures  #allaboutadventures #sheisthewild #mountainlife #liveyouradventure
Am I the only one still (basically) living in yoga Am I the only one still (basically) living in yoga clothes?

For at least part of the day, it's just easier to put on yoga pants, sports bra, and a "zoom-appropriate" top. Or a button-up layered over my workout tank. It makes it SO much easier to squeeze in a workout when I have time.

Tell me I'm not the only one who's not going back to work clothes?!
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#vail #yogalifestyle #yogaliving #vaillife #vailcolorado #mountainlife #vailvalley #outtherecolorado #mountaingirls #womenofthewilderness #womenwhoexplorecolorado  #lovethelifeyoulive #vaillive
Wait, should I look at the camera? 📸 But reall Wait, should I look at the camera? 📸

But really, keep your gaze straight ahead to keep your neck safe in bridge (or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana). It's rare that a version of this pose isn't included during cooldown in my classes.

Do you love bridge as much as I do?
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#asana #goodvibes #bridgepose  #energy #feeltheyogahigh #happymindhappylife #myyogalife #letyourlightshine #letyourpranaflow #coloradoyogalove #coloradoyoga #practiceyoga #yogajourney #yogalifestyle #yogaliving #yogamakesmehappy #yogapractice #yogatime #ipreview via @preview.app
"Every ending is a beginning. We just don't know i "Every ending is a beginning. We just don't know it at the time." -Mitch Albom

Last Friday, we ventured to a trail near Carbondale for the most beautiful ride with huge wildflowers everywhere. It was a great trail with good climbing, plenty of flow in the middle, and A LOT of switchbacks on the descent. Our first 2 hour ride of the season and it was a blast!

I didn't know it at the time, but it was also the last ride on my Liv mountain bike - because I got a new bike on Sunday! ✨

If you're in Colorado & in the market for a new bike, I highly recommend Over The Edge in Fruita. I test rode 6 bikes & then took the Pivot Mach 5.5 out on the trail to be sure it was the right one. Great experience!!
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#adventurespirit #alltrails #mountainvibes #mountainaddict #mountainadventures #mountainbiking #mtbiking #mtbdaily #mtblife #seemyadventures  #womenofthewilderness #womenwhoexplorecolorado
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