Harding Truck Trail, Take Two

The first time I ran Harding Truck Trail I didn’t do much running (except on the way back), and I didn’t get very far the trail was such a bear.  It’s not a technical trail.  But it’s never-ending in its climb.  The second time I went to Harding Truck Trail, I didn’t run it at all.  Instead, I watched others suffer the trek when I volunteered for the Harding Hustle 30k race. 

I’ve avoided Harding Truck for a long time.  But then with these recent runs to “Four Corners” where Harding Trail Trail intersects, I’ve been wondering something.  How is it that when I first “ran” Harding Truck Trail I ran south, and the trail appeared to continue on a southern route, yet when it meets “Four Corners” it’s travelling north?  

Did I get out a map?  No.  Did I open up my Google Earth software and investigate?  No.  Of course not.  Today I decided to go on a scouting mission and just run Harding Truck Trail to see where it wound.

The morning was warm, the trail exposed.  Yet, I ran.  And I ran.  And I ran.  That trail kept on climbing and climbing with no end in sight.  I saw one biker quite a ways behind me.  Other than the rider, I was completely alone.

Harding Truck Trail / a lonely trail:

I saw tracks like these ALL OVER THE PLACE!   A mountain lion’s been here:

Still running up, and still running south:

Winter glory:

Still running UP, still travelling south, but moving more and more eastward on the switch-backs:

I recognized some landmarks as I looked back, and in no way was I travelling in the direction of “Four Corners.”  I could see the red cliffs near Black Star Canyon, and Irvine Lake BEHIND me.   And as I switch-backed higher and higher I couldn’t tell when the trail made its turn toward the north.  Finally, I decided if I was going to get back in time to pick up the boys, I needed to head back.  So, I stopped. 

I took a few pictures before heading back on that long downhill.  AND THEN.  And then . . . with the lens still open, I.  DROPPED.  MY.  CAMERA.  If I would have had the strength you would have probably heard the echo of the “F” word travel down into the neighboring counties.  The fact that the lens was open when it hit, and the hard impact that it made, told me that I had broken ANOTHER camera.  This would be number four. 

Sure enough.  My camera was dead.  Gone.  And it was brand new.  Aside from calling hubby to whine about my clumsiness, I tried to let go of the great disappointment I felt.  Why was I holding pepper spray, a Luna Bar, and my camera in the same hand????  Especially with my history!  What a dufus.

I took a detour driving home to check our Modjeska Grade which passes the Santiago Truck Trail entrance (it had been so long since I’d been there).  Later, I went off to the store that everyone loves to hate (Wal-Mart) with receipt in hand.  I told them that the lens didn’t open anymore.  They called in someone from photo.   I didn’t tell him that this was the fourth camera that I killed and I knew exactly why the lens didn’t open.  He didn’t notice or didn’t say anything about the tiny gash on the corner.  It was an easy exchange.  Now, I have a brand new camera.  Let’s hope I’ve learned my lesson!

10.7 miles run today (17.22 km) / 17 days Streaking into the New Year:

Still Streaking

I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up – that is, Streaking into the New Year.  Yesterday, between chores, appointments and work, I managed to fit in a three mile trail run during the middle of a heat wave.  I found some enjoyment in the run.  Bullfrogs croaked.  Skies were blue.  And I ran a shady Wood Creek Trail where I stood no more than five feet from a doe, behind me a running creek.  Lovely.

Today, I felt better about putting in a run, though the morning began roughly (kids!).  I think as soon as my feet hit the dirt this morning’s harshness melted away.  HOWEVER, my right calve was extremely tight.  I stopped twice within the first mile to stretch it out.  After that, it felt better.  Besides the tight calve, after sixteen consecutive days of running, my boobs ache.  I realize that’s a bit too much information.  But I like to be frank about my great enjoyment of the trails as well as the woes of running.  They have after all, been bouncing around for 16 days now!

With limited time, I took to the local coastal hills, Aliso/Wood Canyons and headed up Meadows trail.  It isn’t Mentally Sensitive, but Meadows is a dang good climb.  Though it’s longer, it is much easier mentally for me, being a switchback trail.  Love those switchbacks!  I almost passed the biker up ahead of me, but when he stopped to rest, I saw that he turned to see me gaining on him.  At that point, he hurried on up the hillside.  Several other mountain bikers whizzed down Meadows as well, which surprised me for a weekday.  I rarely see anyone on this trail during the week.

I felt wonderful after today’s run.  Then I was off again, running errands, grocery shopping, washing dishes, doing laundry and finally getting ready for work.  Today was my long day – I got home way past my bed time.

Making this entry “shortish” to cut to the pictures . . .

View looking back while RUNNING up Meadows:

At top of Meadows headed to Top of the World:

Look at how many mountain bikers are at Top of the World on a Wednesday morning!!

Breakfast time at Top of the World:

Car Wreck Trail:

Miles run today:  9.40 (15.13 km)

Elevation Profile:

Enjoy

I scratched original plans to visit the gym today and put in just about 2 to 3 miles of speed work after my workout.  I really didn’t feel like spending my time in a crowded gym. I wanted to be alone Instead on day 9 of my running streak.   I decided on a nice little out-and-back in my favorite wilderness park, Aliso/Wood Canyons. 

I took off with the melancholy blues.  But as I made my struggle up Cholla, I began to lighten-up and enjoy the moment.  Enjoy the sweat dropping off the ends of my hair.  Enjoy the rocky terrain.  Enjoy the blue skies.  Enjoy that I wasn’t alone, though I was, as the park was crowded with hikers, runners and bikers.  Others were out there struggling up and down these hills.  Who were these people?  I didn’t know a single one of them, yet it was sort of like we all knew each other.  We didn’t talk.  A simple head nod or smile did the trick to convey – “Yup, I’m crazy too.”  Nah.  I think it more conveyed, “Yup.  I understand.”

Running up Cholla, biker cycling down:

Heading up Cholla, the world seems to transform:

View of Saddleback Mountains from Park Avenue Nature Trail:

Prickly Pear bloom (the first I’ve seen this season):

6.35 miles run on day 9:

On The Eighth Day

Well there, that’s done.  I broke my longest streak, by running 8 consecutive days.  On the 8th day of my running streak I met three friends (Kelly, Sheila and Michael) at Aliso/Wood Canyons on a cold, frosty morning.  And we ran through Aliso Canyon, shivering.

On the 8th day, I ran with my friends up Meadows Trail and we were warm before we even reached the top:

Top of Meadows:

On the 8th day, I ran with my 3 running friends to the Top of the World.  Then we ran down a steep, steep, technical trail called Car Wreck Trail, which if you are returning, you’ve seen more than once on this blog:

And there we posed in front of the graffiti-ridden wrecked car:

On the 8th day, we ran Car Wreck, to Oak Grove, and ran a short distance on Mathis where we took a fun detour with a nice climb to Dripping Cave Trail.    We meandered about the cave and took another group photo before running through a shady grove of trees back into Wood Canyon:

On the 8th day of my running streak, Michael found ice on Dripping Cave Trail, and somehow it was almost like finding diamonds:

And we were off to run the final stretch:

On the 8th day I got to see the blue heron that I usually see, and I caught another picture of it in flight, this time as Michael ran straight at it so that it would take off:

On the 8th day of Streaking into the New Year, I ran 9.35 miles.  That’s a little over 15 kilometers:

Then on the 8th day of my running streak, my Uncle Norman died, the older and only brother of my mother.  We are in mourning.  And in mourning, as in happiness, I want to get back out on the trail and run. 

You were a good man on Earth Uncle Norman.  I am happy and proud to have been a part of your life:

Seven Day Streak

Today’s run was my seventh-day-in-a-row run.  Seven days is the longest streak I’ve ever had, so if I make it through tomorrow, I will break my longest streak.  The deal is, I’ve joined Jessica Deline’s challenge, Streaking into the New Year.  It’s public group that you can join on Facebook, and so far, I believe 32 people have taken the challenge. 

It’s kind of a two-part challenge, first to make it to the New Year running consecutive days, then to keep on going to see how long you can “streak” until January 31st.  The only rule is that you run at least 1 mile every day. 

Yesterday, Christmas day, I ran 1.12 miles.  And it was the most difficult run of my entire streak.  I was so worn out, that I practically ran in circles trying to figure out where to run.  Finally, I mindlessly took off on the sidewalks in my rarely worn street running shoes.  When I arrived back at home and my husband said, “Well, where did you run?”  I thought for a second and said, “Uh, I don’t know.” 

He laughed. 

“I think I ran such and such street, yup, that’s what I did!  I basically ran a rectangle through the neighborhoods.”

The important part was that I ran my requirement to keep in the challenge.

Today, I woke at 5AM with plans of going to the gym and doing some speed work on the dreadmill.  My throat was sore.  The house was quiet and the Christmas tree lit.  I drank two cups of coffee and then fell asleep on the couch until 9:30.  I’m not sure I felt so rested, but my sore throat was gone.  Well, you know what that meant?  It meant TIME TO RUN.  “Yahoo,” as our oldest son says, “PARTY BUS!” 

Well, I didn’t feel that excited.  I actually felt a little anxious recalling yesterday’s short run and adding very little sleep and way more calories than I usually consume over the past two days.  I took off out the front door with the notion of running down the highway, crossing the pedestrian bridge to the state beach then running back home, for hopefully a mile.

I felt great by the time I ran up the steps to the bridge.  I thought to myself, “Okay, I’ll run a little longer and circle the campground.”

Crossing the Pedestrian Bridge:

Countless runners hit the pavement this morning.  Cyclists rode in large groups.  The campground was unexpectedly full for the day after Christmas.  After drinking from the water fountain in the campground I felt so much better, stronger, that I decided to lengthen the run even more and run through the state beach and then out to the jetty before turning home.

View from campground of San Juan Creek mixing with the salt water to dump out into the Pacific Ocean:

Running out to the jetty:

At the jetty, I saw a guy reel in something from the sea.  I wasn’t sure if it was a stingray or a halibut.  Halibuts have to be down right huge in order to keep.  I don’t know about stingrays.  Anyway, he threw it back in the waters before I could snap a picture.  As I tried to talk to him about it, he nervously looked away like he didn’t want company.  But one of the bystanders gladly chatted with me a few seconds about the catch.  He told me it was a stingray, and then I was off running again. 

After that, for the first time in my twenty plus years living here, I ran up onto the jetty.  I’ve walked around on the jetty before, but I’ve never run the jetty.  Jumping from boulder to boulder was such great fun I thought that I might run this jetty’s entire length.  I think people mingling about thought I was probably a bit crazy, as even I’ve never seen anyone run the jettys before (thought some must have, right?)

Well, about 3/4’s of the way, I thought I’d stop scaring the people and halted.  After posing for a picture, I ran off with the promise to return and run ALL of the jettys after most people returned to work after the holidays.

The jetty I ran:

I still wasn’t ready to end this run after the jetty.  I ran into the wharf with a smile on my face.  I noticed (I knew this before) that the road runners don’t often wave or smile at each other, at least that is my experience.  On the trail, you hardly see other runners, so we always acknowledge each other.  I guess on the road, there’s so many other runners, that you’d be waving the entire run if you were to acknowledge everyone.  And who wants to run waving, waving, waving?  In fairness, some runners did return my smile or head nod.  (I stopped the short wave early on since it was vastly unreciprocated.)

The wharf:

Finishing up the Marina (do you think I ought to wash the salt off my glasses?):

After the wharf, I still wasn’t ready to end this short run.  I continued on past crowded restaurants and coffee shops into the marina.  People walked their dogs large and small.  Smokers sat at benches with picturesque views as they toked their cigarettes.  Walkers strolled along hand-in-hand, often blocking my passage.

The weather was perfectly cool with the slightest breeze.  And I had the luxury of a drinking fountain probably every 50 yards if I needed it.  Though I didn’t feel I needed the fluids, I was sure to stop at about every fifth one to drink. 

I finally turned back to head up the big hill home, when yet again, I decided that I wasn’t finished yet.  It’s just so boring to run the sidewalk up a big hill.   Instead, I extended this run up into a grassy park with lots of stairways.   I didn’t photograph them all, nor did I count them.  But I’d say I ran at least 5 staircases, perhaps more.  I can happily say that after the mountain runs these flights of stairs were surprisingly easy.  And I was so glad. 

Finally, it was time to head home, as I told my family I would be gone an hour at the most, and probably much sooner.  Already a little after an hour had passed. 

I reached my front door, calm and collected, anxiety-free.  After grabbing a tall cup of water I headed out to the backyard for a nice long stretch session.

Miles run on the 7th day of my streak:  6.04 (9.72 km).

Day Four of Steaking in the New Year

On my fourth day of Streaking in the New Year I was tired.  AND, I ran with a fast running friend.  I could feel it in my glutes as we took off running down Aliso Creek Trail that this was my fourth day in the streak.  I had fun though, lots of it.  But now that I’ve been to a holiday party and it’s time to bed early, I figured now is the time to  blog today’s run because I don’t want to get behind.

We saw the usual blue heron that I always see.  He/she didn’t take off though to glorify its majestic wingspan.  Instead the bird slowly walked away from us as we ran through the meadows on our way to Mentally Sensitive.  And Michael P. took the trails like a champ.  He is an amazing runner (especially down hill runner.)  Seriously, I’ve never seen anyone take the rugged down hills before with his speed. 

Backing up, first off, it was cold, but not so, so cold like it was yesterday.  Michael and I took off about 8:15 AM in Aliso/Wood Canyons.  He had a head start on me as he took off from his home.

Anyway, AFTER running up Meadows yesterday, today, we took the steepest trail in the park, Mentally Sensitive (for regular readers, “Psycho-Path”).  It was tough,  but a LOVELY tough. 

We finished off a beautiful 7 mile run to record in our Streaking in the New Year “challenge.”   And I’m oh so glad to have had a friend to run with on this Christmas Eve’s Eve. 

Michael’s ready for the big climb:

Okay . . . we’ll take a picture of me there too!

Mentally Sensitive:

View looking back:

Climbing Mentally Sensitive:

Saddleback Mountains View from top of Meadows:

Top of Meadows, Pacific Ocean in background:

Miles logged this morning:  7.0: