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! : )

Oops, Here I Go Again

I’ve got a little IT Band Syndrome going on in my left leg – nothing some, pretty much constant, rolling won’t fix.  I rolled when everyone was sleeping this morning.  Then I threw the roller in the truck and drove the boys to school.

I rolled on the asphalt of the church parking lot that I parked in to run at Aliso/Wood Canyons.  When I took off on this misty morning, my left knee still ached just a bit.  But I really didn’t care.   I just wanted to run trails. 

Deciding on Psycho-Path (Mentally Sensitive ) I knew that I had to do the loop quicker than I ran it Monday if I didn’t want to be late picking up the boys.  Thing was, my run started off slowly with various issues:  pit stops, head phone tanglings, shoe laces untying, photos that I had to capture, etc. 

Off into the mist on Aliso Creek Trail:

As I ran Meadows Trail, I could see something moving in the fields that Psycho-Path (Mentally Sensitive) travels through.  It was white with black stripes.  And for some odd reason, I just couldn’t let it go.  What was it???  There are no wild animals (specifically cats, because that all I really care about) with zebra-like stripes in our parts.  As the trail swooped around, I looked closer, deciding that they weren’t stripes at all, but instead the thing was a big tin wash pan.  But why was it moving in the wind so lackadaisically?  A wash pan would make some kind of clanging noise.  Taking up more time on this run that I needed to finish quicker, I stopped and stared for a while.  Yup, zebra stripes.  Then of all things, I took a step into the meadow and ACTUALLY BEGAN THE TREK ACROSS THE MEADOW to find out what this thing was. 

STOP.  I told myself.  This is how you get into trouble!  Do not run across the wet meadow and get your shoes wet.  And what if it is an animal?  What then smart gal?  After some time, with one foot in the meadow and one on the trail, I finally came to the conclusion that I was looking at a partially deflated zebra-striped mylar balloon blowing in the wind. 

Who knows.  It was enough to get me running again. 

Funny thing.  I felt anxiety weighing down on me as I approached Psycho-Path’s climb.  This climbing anxiety hasn’t happened in a long time with my running.  As I approached I thought, “pace yourself and just take it easy,” and that settled me down.  I ran up the whole thing. 

Yup, psycho.

Running up the steepest trail in Aliso/Wood Canyons:

Though I ran it, I did stop once or twice to snap a quick picture – like of this lovely multi-colored moss:

And this majestic scene:

Here’s looking back (the trail runs along that ridgeline down the center of this photo)  LOL.  The toughest part hasn’t even begun:

If you run trails, perhaps you can relate.  To reach the top of a steep climb is exhilarating.  And to keep on running with no recovery time needed is ecstatic.  (Just in case you’re wondering why I put myself through this – the glory . . . the defeat over the body and mind!).  

Running along the ridge toward Top of the World, reminds me of lonely Texas country road running:

Some fancy footwork down Car Wreck Trail:

Meet my new friend:

Good buddies:

I goofed around a bit too much at the car wreck above that I had to kick it into high gear to finish off this run.  Before I finish off this blog, I should tell you that a while back I asked the ranger about the wreck.  She told me that the previous owners of this property (the owners who donated it to the county – can you believe how nice that is!) were goofing around on the roads.  The crash happened then (the car is a Volvo).  And as far as the ranger knew, there were no fatalities.  Probably only minor injuries.  That was many years ago.

High-gear through Oak Grove Trail:

Miles logged this morning:  9.9 (15.93 km)