The Big Loop (Counter-Clockwise)

I ran my regular Big Loop in Aliso/Wood Canyons this morning.  But I did something different.  I ran it counter-clockwise.  Instead of a short drastic climb closer to the beginning of the loop, I ran a more gradual climb, lasting several miles long.

And it was delightful.

And it was hot.

And it was stress free.

Gopher Greeting at Park’s Entrance:

Bunnies hopped across the trail.  Squirrels squealed from trees.  Stink bugs and Potato bugs crept along the dirt.  It was a lovely day in the wilderness.  Ended up that choosing the counter-clockwise direction was definitely best for today.  Why?  Because of the heat.  The canyon traps in the heat and it gets like you’re running through an oven.  Since I ran it fairly early, the heat was still bearable.  If I had run the canyon last, the afternoon heat would have been already settled in and baking.  On the other hand, running the ridge during the hotter part of the day provided lovely breezes.  And the best part was . . .  wait for it . . .

I got to run DOWN Mentally Sensitive.

Wood Canyon:

One of Two Staircases (both going UP) on Wood Creek:

I reached Top of the World feeling relaxed, nasal breathing the entire route.  Felt like I wasn’t physically working hard enough, which means I CAN work harder.    I love finding new techniques that make my run better, even if they are baby steps. 

By far the best part of today’s 13 mile run was my descent on Mentally Sensitive.  I have only run up that trail.  And I am here to report that I did not truly understand how steep that trail is until I ran down it today.  Wow!  I wasn’t sure how to run it.  Carefully for sure.  Some parts of the single track I debated whether I should sit and slide down on my butt.  I decided instead to kind of skip from side to side.  One steep portion was too short to get a skip started, so I ran tiny steps very quickly, nearly running straight off the cliff, which I wouldn’t have done because I would have forced myself to the ground in the opposite direction.  Glad I didn’t need to do that!  I was amazed to find myself still standing at the end of that slope. 

Exhilarating. 

Top of Mentally Sensitive:

Great, great fun (Mentally Sensitive):

I had so much energy left that I ran on in to the ranger station faster than I began my run this morning.  Chalk this baby up as one of those delightful, adventurous, easy runs. 

I soared over this critter on my way back to Wood Canyon (just a gopher snake, but a beaut still):

Elevation Profile of The Big Loop Counter-Clockwise:

Checking out.  Bye.  And thanks for reading! : )

Back on the Horse

There was a familiar saying in my house when I was a child.  We were a house of sayings.  I’m talking about the saying that goes, “Get back up on the horse,” meaning if you fall off a horse, get back on quickly or else you may never get back on it.  We also said, “Get back on the bike,” meaning the same thing, or “Walk it off, and get back into the game.”   We were all about never quitting and trying harder.  (No wonder I always fell short).  But I am adult now (many, many years) and know that these sayings were meant to be helpful and inspire.  And indeed they have done that.

After about five minutes of the total pits, then running 7.5 miles down the mountain back to my truck yesterday, and returning home to tell my husband that I thought I might not run anymore, and hearing him burst out laughing, then having a good night’s sleep, and then running about thirteen miles this morning . . . I AM AGAIN A TRAIL RUNNER.  (Yay!)

Today, I got back on the horse.  I took yesterday’s run hard at the time.  I doubted all the hours and effort I put into trail running and thought, maybe I should chuck it.  But then, early last night, I thought that I needed to “get back on the horse.”  And that is just what I did this morning.  I didn’t train.  I simply went for a nice relaxing trail run, the “Big Loop” at Aliso/Wood Canyons.  And it was delightful.  And it was fun.  And my pack didn’t weigh me down.  And I never tired.  And I enjoyed the steepest climbs, the mountain views, nodding to all the mountain bikers, and simply just being there.

And here is the beauty to prove it (the scenery that is).  My route for the locals who are curious what “The Big Loop” is: 

Aliso Creek Trail, Meadows, Mentally Sensitive, Aswut, Top of the World, West Ridge, Cholla, Wood Canyon, Wood Creek, Wood Canyon, Aliso Creek Trail.

Aliso Creek Trail (total miles 1.5).  You can run this trail all on asphalt or single-track trail.  This morning I ran half of it asphalt, the other half on this:

After a short stint on Wood Canyon, I came to Meadows and shot my usual pose.  Meadows is about 1.5 miles, of which I ran about 1/2 mile of before turning off (I think I look a lot like my sister here, though she looks a lot younger, I think because she takes much more care of herself – I didn’t even apply sunscreen this morning!!!):

More of Meadows:

Mentally Sensitive looked a bit overgrown (tickville).  This trail runs about 2 miles, the first part, rolling, green and fairytale-like, the second part hellish (in a fun way – REALLY):

Climbing Mentally Sensitive:

View of Aliso Canyon and Saddleback Mountains from Aswut Trail which runs along the ridge to Top of the World:

Top of the World:

Running West Ridge (which totals about 2.5 miles of rolling truck trail and glorious views):

Another shot of Saddleback Mountains, this one from West Ridge (on a little single-track that branches off and returns to the trail):

View of Wood Canyon as I ran down Cholla Trail:

Prickly Pear blossom on Cholla:

Wood Creek Trail (About a half mile detour that begins and ends on Wood Canyon Trail):

Wood Canyon, heading home : )

Elevation:

I’m Back

The Santa Ana winds arrived early this morning, furiously.  Trees swooshing, leaves rustling, and the sound of our washer/dryer enclosure door slamming into the backyard porch woke me over and over as I tried to squeeze in the last few hours of sleep. 

I couldn’t wait to get out and run.  I felt completely well, even with poor sleep.  I made it to the trails as soon as I could, hitting dirt at 9:00 AM.  I decided on Mentally Sensitive (Psycho-Path, which by the way, I altered the sign, but only in the picture). 

Aliso Canyon was still, seriously, not a single leaf stirred.  Though, I could tell that the Santa Anas were lurking because the weather had warmed significantly since yesterday.

Running up Mentally Sensitive:

I never weakened on this run, even when I reached Top of the World and the wind blew hard against my body.  The sound of the trees dancing in the wind was so loud it drowned out the music from my earphones.  I simply stood in the middle of it all to take in the wind’s majestic beauty, then took off running for the big loop, down Park Avenue Nature Trail with its Pacific Ocean view, then West Ridge toward Cholla Trail for a steepish descent. 

View of Saddleback Mountains from Park Avenue Nature Trail:

I figured that the wind would calm when I reached the bottom of Wood Canyon.  Though it was not as fierce, it still rustled the trees.  I took some single tracks off the main trail, up and down rolling hills.  I didn’t think about much, just keeping my footing and the feeling of gratitude for being well. 

I am back!

Running up to Wood Creek Trail for some technical single-track:

Coyote Run:

I made one last stop at Dripping Cave, my official goofing off spot.  Here I thought I’d “feel my oats” and prove that all my strength did not in fact drain from me during my illness.  I did some push-ups on the bridge into the cave, for the camera of course.  I’m glad no one else stopped by the cave to witness my theatrics which I topped off with some side planks, because they take better pictures than regular planks (yet I post the pictures on the world wide web!)  Then I jumped up and enjoyed the final stretch of 2.5 miles back to my truck. 

I ran this 13.32 mile (21.44 km) clockwise loop feeling strong the entire trip.  I reached the truck crusted in salt and extremely happy for these trails and the Santa Ana winds today (and the fact that they occurred in December when it’s cooler which meant less chance for fires).

Elevation Profile:

Happy Trails!

Thanksgiving Loop with Thoughts of Gratitude

One of my Thanksgiving traditions is to run.  I bet you would have never guessed.    And so that is exactly what I did today.  I woke at 5:30 AM and hit the dirt about 6:40 on a cold Thanksgiving morning.  Usually, I try to not think when I run.  Today however, I dedicated my run to thinking about all that I am thankful for.  And there is so much – too much to put in a couple of pages.  First and foremost, I am thankful for being born.  And I am thankful for my husband and three wonderful sons.  I am thankful for my health.  And I am thankful for my mom and dad.  They taught me so much – one of the most important being to never give up, and also the importance of family – that we are here to help one another. 

As I ran down an empty Aliso Creek Trail bundled in gloves and beanie, I thought about how lucky I was to grow up with one sister, and now I have 5 sisters!  And they are all top-notch women.  In addition to my 3 great brothers, I gained 3 more – as well as another mother and father who also are quality, loving people.  For these people I am truly thankful.

I am thankful for my friends as well:  my writing friends, my running friends, and my friend friends.  I am especially thankful for one of most wonderful people that I have met on this earth, my friend, Bernadine Fraser.  Though we haven’t seen each other face-to-face in a few years, I still am affected by her overwhelming love and sweetness and great humor.  And to think, we met at a job that I was laid-off from many, many years ago (after putting in 9 years there).  Though I was devastated over losing that job, I could never say or feel that I wish that I never worked there.  I met many great friends at this company, one of them, Bernadine.  We laughed together, we cried together, we read great, great books together.  For these friends I am thankful for.  (I wish I could list them out, but I fear to do so because I am bound to forget to type a few names). 

I am also  thankful for my students.  They have taught me so much.  They taught me to smile even when I don’t feel like it.  They taught me the importance of kindness.  And they taught me that people learn in many ways.  (After getting laid-off from the job mentioned above I became a teacher – so I have to say that I am thankful also for getting laid-off from a long held job). 

When I turned down Wood Canyon this morning the ground was muddy and I was still alone.  The run felt effortless as I thought about my children – and though it’s tough, tough, tough being a mom, I appreciate each of their special gifts and especially their love.  I am also thankful for our middle son’s surgeries – not grateful that he had to go through them so much, but in a way, I suppose so, because they have made him who he is.  But I am more grateful that doctors could do something to save his life.  I am especially thankful for Dr. Louden.   And I am so thankful my boy has been seizure free as well, for more than a year.  But more than that, I’m thankful that if he does have another seizure or even surgery, we can get through it.  He is a strong boy.  We are strong, despite our weakness.

Aside from these very important aspects of my life, I am so, so thankful that I became a runner.  I hated running.  IN A MILLION YEARS, I would have never thought that I would HAVE TO RUN.  More than that – I am grateful that I stumbled, and I mean stumbled upon trail running.

I am thankful for Meadows Trail:

I am thankful for green meadows and ridiculously steep trails (like Mentally Sensitive):

I am even thankful for snails, because I know they have some purpose (I just don’t know what it is):

I am thankful for the skies and mountain views:

I am thankful that I learned the patience to run long distances:

I am thankful for reaching the top of a climb, and taking the time to take goofy, sweaty pictures, because I sometimes still can’t believe that I did it!

I am thankful for ocean views:

I am thankful for Cholla cactus on Cholla Trail:

I am thankful for breaking through countless spider webs on isolated trails like Wood Creek Trail:

I am thankful for creek side runs:

I am thankful for spotting deer in a grove of trees (and many, many other wildlife):

I am thankful for the final stretches, and also seeing that there are other psychos out there doing the same thing:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

13 miles (20.92 km) run this morning:  Aliso Creek Trail, Wood Canyon, Meadows, Mentally Sensitive, Top of the World, West Ridge,  Cholla Trail, Wood Creek, Wood Canyon, Aliso Creek – this was my Thanksgiving 2011 loop.

Autumn Run

People say the seasons don’t change in California.  Born and raised in California, I’m here to testify that the seasons do change.  They don’t change in the same manner that they do in other places, say . . . the eastern coast of the U.S.  But here in California, we definitely know when the season’s a changin’.

When autumn arrives we usually have fires in Southern California.  We call October “Fire Season.”  The reason we have fires (I won’t get into any political facts here) is mainly because of the Santa Ana winds.  Those are those warm winds that blow toward the west.

One of the changes on the southern coast in California during autumn is the smell.  When I wake in the morning, I smell campfires from the beach (or, fortunately not this year, I smell fires elsewhere).  And though the mornings have usually cooled during the autumn, there is an occasional  (actually semi-frequently) warm morning due to these Santa Ana winds.

And sure the colors don’t change like they do elsewhere, but the colors still change.  To begin, that brown coastal sage that I’m used to in my local hills gets drowned out by new green growth.  Autumn is almost like spring in Southern California.

I never saw this bloom at Aliso/Wood Canyons during the summer (must be an autumn bloom!)

I wanted something different on this Thursday autumn morning.  But I really didn’t have “all the time in the world.”  I like having “all the time in the world to run.”  But with 3 youngish boys and a husband, not to mention a job and household chores, that “all the time in the world” is considered bad.  Selfish, selfish . . . selfish.

Anyway, I did have some hours, and I set off lackadaisically (because I’m still in “recovery”)  in Aliso Canyon with no real idea where I was running.  The weather was cool, the skies grayish.  I had lots of different routes in mind.  And I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING, but I decided to run up the new trail “Mentally Sensitive” again.  LOL.  The best thing about the trip was that I could see the Saddleback mountains in the distance (& I’m still in reminisce mode).  The worst thing about that trail was that it was HORRIBLE.  I mean, WHAT WAS I THINKING?  That trail gets so steep that I’m serious when I write that I have to use all my strength not to slip backward.   You can see from the profile below that this trail basically goes straight up.  And in my silly mind, I thought that I’d run the whole thing.  Problem was, I found it impossible to keep up the mid-foot strike and had to resort to the fore-foot strike.  At first I kept the fore-foot strike only on my left foot (where a nerve has been surgically removed), but eventually I had to resort to a fore-foot strike on my right foot (where I have refused a second surgery).  I felt okay with the toes during this horrid trail.  But eventually I resorted to some backward running, and also running up the hill sideways.

As I ran up Mentally Sensitive, I thought this has got to be the LAMEST NAME FOR A TRAIL EVER. (Sorry if you named it.).  While running it, the name that fit perfectly for me was RIDICULOUS.  Then after some time, I realized that the best name for this trail that simply climbs and climbs and climbs is Psycho-Path

Autumn colors from Mentally Sensitive (Psycho-Path)

Running up “Psycho-Path”

Well, it appears that I am NOT making a “long story short,” nor am I really proving my point about autumn (I would rather make a long story short than a short story long). 

So!  When I finally reached the top of Psycho-Path I thought that since I was up there that I’d  venture into unknown areas and explore past the park I found the first time up this silly trail. 

I recovered quickly viewing the lovely gray Pacific Ocean and ran off to my left, and ran joyfully (I’m not joking) through the soccer field exploring like Lewis and Clark.  Wait!  More like Ponce de Leon who was searching for The Fountain of Youth.  Unlike my friend de Leon, I found the fountain of youth.  A swing set. 

After my little play session, I ran along the asphalt neighborhoods to Top of the World.  From there, I simply ran and turned down trails based on the time of my clock.  As I ran along West Ridge Trail I found my Conservation Corps friends.  I snapped some pictures of these young and beautiful guys and gals with the promise that I’d post them for their viewing on my blog (advertise!)

Conservation  Corps rebuilding a trail off of West Ridge

This is our autumn!

I could go on and on with this run.  But if you follow this blog, you know these trails well.  Instead of running down Cholla Trail, I decided on Lynx Trail, one that I hardly take.  That trail lead me right out onto Wood Canyon, which of course was a pleasant delight.  Then I finished up my loop, recording my evidence of autumn with my camera, running Wood Creek, Coyote Run and Wood Canyon trails.

Lynx Trail:

Wood Creek Trail:

The lovely color RED has overcome the poison oak:

Coyote Run Trail:

Miles logged Thursday morning:  13.27