TALES FROM THE TRAIL (AND SOMETIMES THE ROAD TOO)

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Time Well Spent

I woke at 4:30 AM today in order to hit the dirt at 6:00 AM for a 19 mile run. Only a few minutes late to the trails at Aliso/Wood Canyons, the sun already shined down brightly.  I didn’t think about the entire run in order to avoid the anxiety that brings.  Instead, I just enjoyed where I was – the present.  The weather grew warmer and warmer as I ran, with some cool breezes until it ended up darn right HOT.  It was extremely difficult to finish up this run.  But that’s what enjoy about it (in the END).  I also enjoyed the solitude and the absolute beauty.     

I dreamt of one thing running in on the second 9.5 mile lap – getting home, filling the bath with cold water and then dumping the entire box of ice from the freezer into the water before getting in.  Instead, I returned home and  I was freezing (not literally of course).  After emptying my shoes of their dirt, I cuddled on the couch beneath two flannel blankets and drifted off to sleep.  And I didn’t dream of anything.   I was in a post-run peaceful state.  In love

Branches covered with light-green lichen on Wood Canyon Trail.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

THE rock on Cave Rock Trail.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

I love this rock!SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Running down Cave Rock Trail to exit back onto Wood Canyon Trail.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Climbing Meadows with a view of Saddleback Mountains.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Reaching the top of Meadows the first time.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Running Top of the World.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Running Top of the World neighborhoods to pick up the park again, I pass this little fella.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

An empty Top of the World.SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Reaching top of Meadows Trail for a second time – had a tough, TOUGH time of it, (scarf is still kind of wet from creek water, and I’m gulping my prize for reaching the top – coconut water).SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Elevation Profile:My Activities double loop from cyn vistas 8-3-2011, Elevation - Distance

8 comments:

  1. That is a serious run Lauren, well done! I love the solitude as well, awesome thinking time. Excellent views!

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  2. Umm. 19 miles?!? On trails?!!!? You're amazing. Can I just copy and paste your running mileage into my training log? :)

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  3. Another awesome run!!! You are going to rock Bulldog!

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  4. Oh my goodness! Im dying just looking at that elevation chart. Yikes!

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  5. Thanks for reading Johann. These are my nearest trails. I am lucky to have such views.

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  6. Thanks Lindsay -- you can copy & paste my mileage if I can copy & paste your pace. : )

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  7. Thanks Rachel. Funny, I'm still very scared of Bulldog. I haven't made the decision to register. But I really appreciate your confidence.

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  8. Thanks again for reading Khourt. I can't believe the elevation chart myself. It took me a while to work up to this. The first time I went up Meadows I wanted to crawl it. Instead I walked it. I can't believe I can run it now. LOL.

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