TALES FROM THE TRAIL (AND SOMETIMES THE ROAD TOO)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Loop Girl

Today was one of those days that I didn’t feel like running.  The skies were cool and gray.  It even drizzled here and there in the morning.  But I forced myself to the trails.  I forced myself because I want to be able to run when I feel like running.  Do you know what I mean? Winking smile

Lately, I’ve changed my runs to include: 1) what I call my lackadaisical run, where I can run where I want, as fast as I want (or as slow as I want), take as many pictures as I want and just kind of escape into dreamland while running 2) a fast timed loop (9.5 miles), and 3) my long run.  Three days I reserve for cross and weight training.  And one day I rest.  (That’s the plan anyway.  Sometimes two days I rest.)

Today was my lackadaisical run.  I had planned for an out-and-back through Wood Canyon.  But you know what?  I hate out-and-backs.  There.  I said it!They bore me.  I’m a loop girl.   I love running loops (not track and field loops), but trail loops.  They don’t have to be elliptical in shape.  Simply start and beginning in the same location, a trail loop only has a different route out than it does back.

So I switched gears this morning.  I didn’t plan any route, except for the fact that I wanted some kind of loop.  Instead, I just ran one magical loop in dreamland, including some of my favorite lower trails in Aliso/Wood Canyons, like Cave Rock, Dripping Cave, Oak Grove and Mathis.  Then I sped it up just a bit, because I felt strong to return via Wood Canyon Trail. 

Miles logged:  7.15

Cave Rock Trail (on my way to THE rock)

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Posing on Cave Rock (THE rock.)

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Inside Dripping Cave (AKA Robbers Cave)

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Some Scenery Along Dripping Cave Trail

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Finishing Up Dripping Cave Trail

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Poison Oak (it’s so pretty and green – trickery!)

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Moss Covered Boulders on Oak Grove Trail CIMG8944

6 comments:

  1. Unbelievable views! I love THE rock! I don't mind out-and-backs. Sometimes I use them for long runs as I can hide food and drinks next to the route somewhere for when I return.

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  2. I am with you.. out and backs are tedious and a bit boring for me .. Loops!! Your lackadaisical runs are what I call my adventure runs. Ususally it is when I am new to a place and so I just do a explore run. Those are the best.

    I really like this line.. "Today was one of those days that I didn’t feel like running... But I forced myself to the trails. I forced myself because I want to be able to run when I feel like running." SO true. I need to tell myself that on those days!

    I seriously need to check out this Aliso and Wood Canyon place!! It is so beautiful!!

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  3. Thanks for reading Johann. You know, I do this one long run, about 20 miles, that is an out and back, and for some reason it doesn't bother me. I think because it goes through the city, and the city is never the same. But usually, I have some psychological block against out-and-backs, especially runs I've done again and again.

    Smart to hide food and drinks. I carry everything on my back!

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  4. Thanks for stopping by Kate. I'm glad you understood that line. When I wrote it, I thought that maybe it didn't make sense.

    Definately let me know if you ever do make it out to Aliso Wood Cyns. I will run with you!! At first glance, the place doesn't look so great. I hiked there years before I was a runner and thought, this ain't no big thing! But now that I've explored, I've found some beautiful places.

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  5. Beautiful pictures. I agree, a loop workout is better than an out and backs. But the out and backs is better than the "dreadmill"!

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  6. Hi Black Knight. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I agree. Anything is better than the dreadmill. I close my eyes when I walk past the dreadmill in my gym.

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