Spider Web Patrol

I woke at 5:00 so that I could hit the dirt at 6:00 AM.  Today was double-loop day at Aliso/Wood Canyons Park – my second-to-last long run before I decide on whether to enter Bulldog. Regardless of my choice, I am doubtful that I can make the cutoff’s.  The way I see it, and I’m not trying to be negative, just a realistic, but signing up for Bulldog 50k is probably signing up for defeat – defeat for the race, but not a defeat for so many other aspects (that I can go into later if the time warrants.)  I’m at a point in my life where I realize that defeat carries so many triumphs.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’d love to finish and make the cutoffs.  I’d be absolutely thrilled. 

I actually entered the trails this morning under dark cloudy skies.  Not sure whether I’d see anyone, I carried pepper spray for the first time in a long time. 

I fought against thinking about the end of this run as I took off down Wood Canyon.  “Stay in the present,” I told myself.  Now.  Now.  Now.  I didn’t wear headphones at first, and being difficult to stay in the moment, I focused on the various tracks in the dirt – bobcat, coyote, deer, runners.  When I thought about the run, or the future of today’s run, I’d fret, thinking  “I’ll never be able to do this – run up Meadows TWICE.  No way!  I’m not strong enough.”

Running is just like life.  When I anticipate, anxiety grows.  I recall when one of my sons was going through several surgeries (3 of them brain surgeries) the only way I could function was to stay in the moment.  As soon as I strayed into the future (or even the past), I’d start to lose it.   Anxiety reached a point where I felt I might vomit, or the ground beneath me began to sway.  I learned then sitting in the surgery waiting room, I survived by staying in the exact moment.  I don’t think you need experience something like this to relate to what I’m writing about.  The present is just simply much easier and more enjoyable and relaxing to experience than the past or present.  Period.  It is the same with running. (perhaps why I took up running in the first place.)

And so I took in Wood Canyon at first having to count to get myself into the present.  Literally, I’d say one, two, three, four, etc., and imagine that at each count that was where I was.  Eventually, I began to enjoy the moment, enjoy the breeze, enjoy the different colors, and even enjoy every single spider web I ran through.  And believe me!  There were plenty. 

Sycamore Grove

Lone coyote on Wood Canyon Trail

Soon into my run, I realized I wouldn’t be alone on these trails.  A mountain biker came up behind me pretty quickly.  Then as I ran Cave Rock Trail, posing and taking pictures, several runners, at least 10, ran beneath me as I stood on the rock.  I was amazed to see so many runners this early in the morning.  And I was also truly amazed that they didn’t even notice me as I snapped pictures of them on that rock not too far above.  I don’t wish to be critical, BUT I hope, wish, that I would notice someone standing up above me like that.  (Sadly, I don’t think that I also would have noticed but, you can bet I will NOW.)

Another pose on Cave Rock

A View from Meadows on first loop (about .5 mile remains of Meadows Trail)

Wood Creek Trail a delightful detour on 2nd loop

Wood Creek Trail (I believe I take this picture every time I run Wood Creek Trail)

I took the second Meadows climb much better than the last time I ran this double loop.  I worked hard at passing a female mountain biker, came oh so close, but no catch!  I also didn’t run out of fluids until exactly the point where I could refill (imagine that!).  With 3.5 miles remaining, my clothes were completely drenched with sweat, and chaffing had began to take its toll.  My ipod battery also ran out during the Top of the World portion.  I found myself counting again just to stay in the moment.  When I found myself thinking about the past or anticipating the future, I’d focus on my presence in the moment, noticing colors, smells, people.  I said “Good morning",” to every single person I saw – the runners, gardeners, the hikers, bikers, the tennis players (at Alta Laguna Park), the dog walkers, the city workers.  And I truly believe it was the staying in the moment that allowed me to finish this run, happily, joyfully and PLAYFULLY.

19 miles logged.

+3,219 ft / – 3,223 ft,

Route:  Canyon Vistas, Wood Cyn, Cave Rock, Wood Cyn, Meadows Trail, Top of the World, Park Ave. Nature Trail, West Ridge, Cholla, Wood Cyn, Wood Creek, Wood Cyn, Coyote Run, Wood Cyn, Meadows Trail, Top of the World, West Ridge, Cholla, Wood Cyn, Canyon Vistas. 

Satellite above the loop which I ran twice (with some slight detours). 

Where I Love to Run (A Pictorial–Mainly)

Today, “The Planner”, that’s me, had planned speed training.  The idea of speed training stressed me out so much that I said forget that.  Just run.  And that is what I did.  I went exploring.  Exploring with no time requirements, no route really planned, just a plan to run.  I wanted to check out some of my trails that I haven’t been to since Aliso Wood Canyons reopened.  A ranger told me that the trails had changed.  I wanted to see.

(My route:  I ran through Canyon Vistas park then took Wood Canyon Trail down and then ran every detour off of Wood Canyon:  Wood Cyn to Wood Creek to Wood Cyn to Coyote Run to Mathis Trail to Dripping Cave to Wood Cyn to Cave Rock Trail, ending with Wood Canyon.  Then I ran Wood Canyon Trail all the way back.)

Wood Creek Trail

Wood Creek has plenty of ups and downs, including two staircases.  I ran through several spider webs, and I didn’t care.  I used to let out a little scream when I ran through webs.  Oddly, I didn’t today.

Going up . . .

Going down – look closely and you can see a flight of stairs (railroad ties, I think)

Going back up on Wood Creek to the shadiest, thickest part.

California Wood Fern

California Maiden’s Hair Fern

Coyote Run Trail

With the bridge wiped out from the rains, I can get close and personal with the creek as I cross over to Coyote Run Trail

Self portrait on Coyote Run.  This part used to be dark and shady – still is somewhat, but a massive chunk of trees are gone in the background (left).

If you are familiar with Coyote Run Trail, you’ll notice something terribly different below.  I have a complete view of Wood Canyon Trail (across the creek and field).  Never before did I have such a view, because a wall of trees on both sides of the creek blocked it.

Mathis Trail

Trail washed out, as this once dry creek, flowed abundantly during the December rains.

Dripping Cave Trail

Crossing over from Mathis to Dripping Cave Trail, the bridge gone and trail washed out by another previously (& again now) dry creek.

My favorite part of Dripping Cave Trail – going up, but oh beautiful!

Dripping Cave (A.K.A. Robbers Cave).  I had planned to dangle my legs off the edge during this photo.  But as soon as I sat, the edge started falling away.

Bye-bye Dripping Cave.

Cave Rock Trail

Running up to “The” Rock – a magical trail with rocks looking like they were laid out especially for the runner.

Attempting to pose on Cave rock, but it’s too steep and I’m slipping down during photo.

Leaving Cave Rock, headed back onto Wood Canyon Trail.

Wood Canyon Trail

Running Wood Canyon Trail, close to noon, with the sun beating down.  Most of this trail is exposed.

Finally!  Glorious shade on Wood Canyon Trail.

The last of shade on Wood Canyon Trail, approaching Canyon Vistas Park for one last incline to the car.

Elevation Profile:

Miles logged:  7.91