Winter Solstice Run

Christmas is around the corner, and we are the poorest financially than we have EVER been.  At the same time, I sincerely believe we are the most fortunate that we have ever been.  Though we are cramped in a tiny house, we are all close together as we continue to somehow make the mortgage payments.  In such close quarters, I know a little how my children feel, I know what they are doing (because I can see everyone, hear everyone, from practically anywhere in the house) and I know when they need my help. 

Yesterday was my last day of work leading up to Christmas break (two whole weeks!).  Today was the last day of school for our children.  After dropping them all off,  I had just enough time to meet with two lovely ladies for a run on trails on a beautiful blue, crisp morning.  We ran a 14+ mile loop, some of it on Arroyo Trabuco, which I’ve run before.  But, much of today’s trails I have never run.  What a treat!  I love running new trails.  It’s especially nice when someone else knows the way.  That someone else by the way, was Jessica Deline, race director of Twin Peaks.  So I should have known that we were going to do some steep climbing.  Who knew the foot hills had so much elevation.  I need it.  I love it.

After today’ s run, I have 57.43 miles to go to make this year’s goal.  With 9 more days, I’ve got a good chance at making it.

Scenes and the story from today’s run:

Spectacular views from West Ridgeline Trail:

Group photo from left to right:  Sherree, Jessica, Me:

Look at those LOVELY trails ahead:

There she is – Saddleback Mountains:

Taking a wrong turn, we ran down into a scenic paradise:

A STEEP, scenic paradise:

After turning around in search for Arroyo Trabuco, we came upon an unexpected ravine – the joys of trail running:

Arroyo Trabuco at last!:

I had no idea that I was in for this much elevation this morning (I probably should have skipped wine last night):