Though I'm Hesitant, I Think Now I Can Say, "I'M BACK."

Put in a nice, sorta-long TRAIL run this morning at my favorite wilderness park (Aliso and Wood Canyons Park).  This one was solo.  I dressed a bit too warm (time to pack away the micro-fleece) and didn't carry enough water (just one handheld to refill at the Top of The World.)  Despite all that -- it was a lovely run, and best of all NO HIP PAIN.

Originally, I planned on an out-and-back (14 miles), but I changed the course last second, because I wanted to get the major climbing over with.  That meant only one thing -- running up Meadows (Meadows, I believe has the most elevation climb in the shortest distance out of all the trails up).  From there, I ran the ridge into the neighborhoods along the Top of the World and re-entered the park at Westridge Trail.  I ran Westridge in its entirety to Cholla Trail to meet the delightfully shady Wood Canyon, which I ran back to Aliso Creek Trail, hot, sweaty, eyes stingy from salt, but loving, loving, loving it. 

An "OA" Pictorial of today's 11.64 mile run

Cholla Cactus along Aliso Creek Trail, a bizarre looking plant

The entrance to Meadows Trail after a turn off Aliso Creek Trail and a quick stint on Wood Canyon.  Meadows Trail is relatively flat for about a mile before the steep mile or so, switch-back climb begins to Top of the World.

Lupin Flowers (California Native) along Meadows Trail

Continuing along Meadows Trail (Off to the right, & out of sight, the agonizing, yet glorious, switch-back climb begins)

Running through the Mustard plants on my way up Meadows Trail

Nearing the top of Meadows Trail, last climb just ahead, I'm wishing about now that I could chuck the long-sleeve, but I won't dare run in a sports bra (that's just me : )

Finally at the Top of the World -- actually there is still a little climb on pavement before I reach the  REAL "Top of the World" neighborhood.  Camera on automatic set up on the trash can, I set out for a personal view of the neighborhoods below and the Pacific Ocean (really, I'm not posing).  Do you see Catalina Island in the background?


On my way to exiting the park, to re-enter again at Westridge in about 1 mile.


Obeying "No Trespassing" signs at Top of the World neighborhood (because I'm no scofflaw : ) I run down the trail behind the homes

The nice n' easy part of this run -- some road runnin'

Entering Aliso and Wood Canyons Park once again, from Alta Vista Park


Heading along Westridge Trail, an up and down trip, but mainly down


The Entrance to Cholla Trail -- what a delight to enter at this end, it's all down hill from here baby!


I know I said it was all downhill, it really is except for this tiny bump


Prickly Pear on Cholla Trail


Shade!  Finally SHADE!  (Notice runner coming up on the left on Wood Canyon Trail -- he's shirtless and I'm wearing longsleeves!)


The breeze blew in my face and I can't state enough how happy I was to run in the shade.  Water low, I was conserving.  Oh, and notice the biker up ahead.

More of shady Wood Canyon Trail


Don't touch that stuff (& you find it in the most beautiful lush places) -- that's Poisin Oak


Just another picture of Wood Canyon Trail that I had to capture

Glad to Run

I hit the pavement this morning, feeling terrible, down, not wanting to run, but knowing that I'd want to run eventually. I made no plan where to run, and though I warmed up some, I felt pretty miserable as I ran into the town center.  Refusing to make any decisions on distance or route, I thought I'd just give it some time, then call it a day if I needed to. 

I looked at my watch when it hit me -- gladness, that is. It was precisely 56 minutes after leaving my front door. From then on out, I enjoyed running through the local beaches, wharf and marina. Taking in more calories than usual (as it seems that on these long runs I am lacking greatly in fuel intake) I felt strong for the remainder of the run.

This is why I keep running even on those days when I don't feel like it. I know it's only a matter of time, usually, when I'm glad I'm out there running.

Miles logged this morning:  17.2

Random Thoughts Re: Falling on the Run

Trail falls, or any fall for that matter, well, they're not fun!  I laugh that I even have experience enough to talk about the subject.  As a child, falls weren't so bad.  I got these "cool" scabs on my knees that I picked off piece by piece.  As a child, the distance to the ground wasn't that far (even from a tree branch it didn't seem that far).  And for some reason, impact didn't jolt me so much (that's probably because less weight impacts the ground at a lesser force -- who knows, I'm no physicist : )

These are my thoughts on falls (I haven't gone back and checked, but I believe at last count, my falls while running totalled nine . . . NINE).  

1)  Falling on cement is way, way, way worse than falling on the trail. 

2)  You must roll with your fall. What I mean by a roll is to somehow at impact, roll to the left or right onto your side.  It just happens with me, there's not enough time to plan it.  If I hit the ground directly with no roll, then I'm injuried FOR SURE.
 

3)  A fall  on the downhill is much worse than on the uphill.  And it's harder to get in that roll on a flat surface -- but doable.

4)  Falls happen when I'm most giddy, like when I can see the end of a long, difficult run.  I remember one case (Bulldog 25K), when I caught site of the youth detention center in the distance. I knew then that I was homeward bound.  I got so giddy, that I took one of my worst spills to date.  (I actually scared the runners around me who swarmed above in a frantic way to help -- I felt badly for putting them through that : )

5)  The first thing that goes through my mind when I'm falling is:  "OMG.  I can't believe that I'm falling!!!"  It's quite frankly amazing how much more goes though my mind in the short period of time it takes to hit the ground -- I think things like, "Who's gonna call the paramedics?"  "I should have seen it coming."  "Not Again!"  And, "What am I gonna tell my husband???

So there you have it, some random thoughts on falling.

Twenty Miles!

I had to go back to my 2008 log to find a nice flat twenty miler.  I don't own a garmin, so I can't simply run until I hit twenty miles (I measure with Google Earth afterwards). I'm The Planner, remember.  It helps to know my route.  I like to split long runs into legs, or segments.  It's not twenty miles I'm running -- it's 3 legs.  I'll do the same for the marathon in two weeks that I'm not ready for.  It won't be 26.2 miles -- it will be five miles five times, plus 1.2 miles.

I set out this morning, the moon still high, but the sky lit slightly from a sun threatening to rise.  The weather was cold and breezy.  I wore shorts, long sleeves and gloves, but wished for a ski mask or at least beanie as I headed down Highway One.  Surprised to see an "Open" sign at the corner restaurant, I could smell they were cooking bacon.   

Leg One:  8.85 Miles -- Into San Juan Capistrano and back to Doheny Beach

I ran through the community park to get right onto the river walk, aka bike trail.  Last week, I asked an adult student of mine, who I know bikes the riverwalk, whether the bike trail was open, specifically the bridge that takes you over to the otherside.  He assured me it was -- he said that he had "just crossed the bridge a few days ago, in fact."

The sun peeked above the horizon, and I saw soon enough, bulldozers and a big "closed" sign up ahead.  Grrrr.  They've been working on the riverwalk for more than a year!!!  "I'll figure something out," I said to myself, determined to leave negativity behind.  Sure enough, no one manned the machinery, so I hopped right over the yellow tape and continued onward into San Juan Capistrano.  About a mile later, I came to a chain link fence right across the trail.  But I was able to hop off it, run into the dirt a while to get around the chain link and back onto the path. 

There were plenty of other runners out on the river walk.  As I passed one of  them, I asked her whether the bridge was open.  She thought I was waving to her.  She smiled and waved back.  Well, the bridge was open.  Thing was, there was another chain link fence directly across the trail blocking me from the bridge's entrance.  So, I walked down the bank some, ran under the bridge, came up on the other side, crossed the bridge (picture above) and continued my way along the trail.  Ha!

I crossed Camino Capistrano over to Stone Field (a popular soccer field with large stones stacked for "bleechers.")  I felt a tightness in my right calve, wondering about blood clots (my latest paranoia), I stopped for a quick calve stretch.  And then about a quarter mile later, I stopped abruptly and layed in the library grass for a glute stretch, ridding myself of a tightness on the right side as well. 

The rest of Leg One was beautiful.  Purposely leaving my camera at home to avoid extra weight, I found myself pulling my phone out to snap shots.  I ran through downtown, to the train depot where a few families waited in the cold for a train.  There I crossed the tracks into the Los Rios Historic District.  No tourists out, only workmen washing down walkways.  I felt strong throughout Leg One, hydrating with only electrolytes.  I ran the riverwalk back.  Doheny Beach coming into sight in seemingly no time; the start of Leg Two brought gladness to my heart -- I was home again.

Running Through Downtown San Juan Capistrano

Sarducci's Restaurant Along the Tracks, Adjacent To The Depot

Crossing Over The Tracks Into The Los Rios Historic District

A Los Rios Business Storefront

Leg Two: 4.56 Miles

Just as with Leg One, my main focus for Leg Two was "No Resistance."  I felt strong, carefree.   I took in my first 100 calories in the form of a powdered shake with water in my  handheld.  I circled the full campground twice, noticing plates mainly from California and Nevada.  There was one lone Montana plate as well.

Plenty of runners made this leg too, as I ran through Doheny on into Capo Beach.  I turned around where the sidewalked ended, stopped briefly to snap one photo of Leg Two.  I made the campground loop once again on the way toward the marina, the smoke from campfires a bit bothersome.  The wood had an odd odor, like it was treated or something.

Capo Beach On A Cool Breezy Saturday (the cliffs in the furthest background is my turnaround point for the final stretch home)

Leg Three: 7.03 Miles

I switched back and forth between focusing on form and "No Resistance," during Leg Three, which included running out to the jetty, running through a crowded wharf and finally running alongside the harbor.  The sidewalks were crowded with walkers.  The coffee houses and breakfast joints were packed.

I decided to take in my next two hundred calories before crossing over to the island.  Why wait until I'm fatigued to fuel?  My problem so many times with running is that I wait.  I wait to hydrate, I wait to refuel, I wait to stretch.

During Leg Three I found my focus change to breathing -- that is getting a full exhale out before inhaling.  About halfway around the island, exhaustion set in.  It wasn't terrible, and I kept my pace.  Still, I was looking forward to the end of this run.  I was so close now, just about two miles, I just couldn't quit.  And so I kept on going, turning around at the cliffs for that tired, tired, yet accomplished final stretch back home.  I walked up the block to my house for some cool down, then walked around the backyard for a good long while before putting in a nice long stretch.

Turnaround Point at the Cliffs Before Heading Back Home.


Total Miles logged this morning: 20.44
Good News:  No Hip Pain on the Run, No Utter Exhaustion (though I did hit that minor wall on the island), and best of all, I got in a twenty miler before the marathon.
Other News:  Hip was stiff during PT exercises this evening, though I did spend some hours scootering with my boys down at Doheny Beach this evening too.  I also got flack today about my running, not from just one, but two family members (it's been a long time since that's happened); it disappointed me some, because it solidified the fact that they don't have a clue why I run.  And why should they?  You can only know if you KNOW.  From the outside, I realize, it looks ridiculous.

Top of the World -- At Last!

I woke to pouring rain at 5:30 AM.  It was supposed to rain, so I wasn't surprised.  In fact, I was kind of relieved, because as I've read recently, "listen to your body," and my body was saying "I Am Tired! I Need Rest!"  

Rain ceased by the time I drove my first two boys off to school.  Clouds parted as I prepared my preschooler for school.  And so I dressed for a run, ignoring my body, still hoping it might rain, because I felt so physically fatigued. 

Rain did not fall as I drove off to break another rule, that is "rolling hills only."  My plan:  run to the Top of the World.  Why?  Because I HAD to.

I know this sounds odd, perhaps you can relate, but I felt fearful, anxious as I made my way to Canyon Vistas Park (entrance to the shortest route to the top).  I hadn't run to Top of the World since February 22.  I didn't know what Cholla Trail would do to me.  Was I going to wrench my hip?  Would I even be able to run to the top?

To begin, Cholla is no "rolling" hill in any sense of the word (though it is only a half mile).  Oddly, I ran it easier than I have in a long time, focusing on "No Resistance."  That's not to say that the trail was EASY.  It  was just easier, much more than I ever imagined. 

Westridge Trail is mostly rolling (except for two steep portions).  Still fearing even a tinge in the hip, I made extra effort to keep a straight column, kick out the back, and relax.  Even with all that effort, I nearly twisted an ankle on Westridge, because I was just so giddy over finally making my way to the top.

Ran the whole way, then turned around and ran back, totalling 6 gleeful difficult miles.  (I'd say those 6 miles were easily equivilant to 12 flat road miles).

I followed orders for the remainder of this adventure:  long cool down, stretched, iced, hip exercises back at home, ALL WITHOUT AN ACHE.  (Now, I just hope that I sleep through the night without hip problems -- oddly, it seems to attack as I sleep or while waking).

But forget all about that!  I ran to Top of the World today. 

Glorious.

PROOF : )

At Top of the World, Looking Down at Laguna Beach and Pacific Ocean

Turning Around and Heading back on Westridge for a Final Gleeful Descent Down Cholla

Wood Canyon Run

Rain fell lightly as I set out on Aliso Creek Trail for another trail run (rolling hills -- just like the P.T. said).  I was so happy to be out there, even in the rain. I was camera giddy, and clicked, clicked away, until I dropped my camera.  It was about then that I decided to screw my head on straight and focus.  Last thing I needed was another trail fall.

Coming into Aliso Canyon (Aliso Creek Trail), not my favorite trail, because .75 mi. is paved.  But today, so happy to be back, I loved this trail.

These little guys were all over the place, big ones, baby ones all making the trek across the road -- I didn't smash a one!


The Remaining .75 miles of Aliso Creek Trail -- actual trail, alongside green rolling hills 

I was pretty soaked turning onto Wood Canyon.  My ipod tucked beneath my clothing was safe, and I was glad that I brought a cap to shield my face from the rain.  The run up and down the relatively flat Wood Canyon however, was gorgeous.  I found it difficult at times though, having lost some of my trail training.  Still, I really couldn't have been happier.  I focused on form when I wasn't awestruck by my surroundings.  And when it got difficult I concentrated on this:  LOSE THE RESISTANCE!  I read in Chi Running that we tend to resist against everything, and if we would just stop resisting, running, life, anything that we find hard, would get a lot easier.  Well, I'll tell ya, it is hard to lose that resistance.  This is how I did it:  I chanted to myself, "No Resistance," and I relaxed my muscles, I imagined them soft, and suddenly I could feel my shoulders drop and my muscles down to my ankles relax.  And for that short period that I could accomplish this, my run literally got easy.  I couldn't hold this focus the entire run.  I'm hoping with practice, it will get easier. : )  Overall, the trail wasn't difficult, it was just on those minor inclines that I haven't run in so long. 

Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail

Spring is in the Air (April Showers Bring May Flowers)

Sheltered From the Rain in the Foresty Parts of Wood Canyon Trail (toward end)






In all, 9 miles logged on Tuesday.  I walked and stretched for a good long cool down afterward.  No hip ache whatsoever on the run, and pretty much all of the day.  Except for when I did my hip exercises   : (  a stiffness, slight ache crept in.  I'm just so thrilled I got out there on Tuesday -- thrilled to make it to the trail before the real rain falls today. : )

Shoes Anyone?

I spend too much time looking for a matching pair of shoes on my way out for a run.  There's not even enough room in my closet for all my running/walking/hiking/gym shoes, in other words tennis shoes : )

So I dragged them all out from beneath the bed today, piled them high.  Now it's time to go through them and simplify life a bit.

Still I Swagger : )

I set out fearful this morning for my first trail run in a month.  Yes -- the physical therapist said trails are okay, but only "rolling hills."  I was fearful of the ole' hip -- frankly, I'm tired of the injured hip CRAP (excuse my language)! 

I woke at 5:30 this Sunday morning, my usual weekday waking hour.  I usually sleep in until at LEAST 6:30 on weekends, maybe 7:30 if I push it (8:00, 8:30 on those really blissful days).  So, so leary about heading off, yet a bit giddy about my feet hitting dirt again, I was slow prepping.  Still dark out, I drank 1 and 1/2 cups of coffee, surfed the internet,  and dressed slowly, oh so slowly, carefully placing circular moleskins on my feet where the Salomons rubbed my feet raw in the Great Silverado Footrace. (I didn't by the way, wear Salomons this morning -- I wore my trustworthy New Balance)

Hitting the trail is one thing.  Hitting the trail with a group, is an entirely other thing.  Why?  Because, when I hit the dirt solo, I can take it super easy if I want to.  In other words, I don't put pressure on myself, besides KEEP THE MOMENTUM FORWARD.  When I hit the dirt with a group, I want to keep up with the pack.  Don't get me wrong . . . I can hang being left behind -- I really don't mind going solo.  I don't mind last place.  But if I'm gonna run with a group, especially if I've left my ipod behind, I oughta run with a group.

A larger than average crowd showed up for this "New Member Run".  There were 5 non-new members (Tom, Daniel, and myself, later joined by Dave and Maura who were on a much longer run), plus 4 new members (Linda, Sarah, Kathy and her husband Dave).

The group set off pretty quickly, leaving me little time to warm-up.  Sticking to the physical therapist's directions, I stayed behind to warm-up, hoping I'd catch up with the group later.  (I was hoping that I didn't regret leaving the ipod behind :)

That first hill was no "rolling hill."  Heck.  It was difficult and lovely anyway.  It wasn't "technical" thankfully for my hip. There were sandy parts and solid parts of this mostly well-groomed trail.  Still, I was quite reluctant -- I so feared an ache to the hip.

Being that I had to have my warm-up, the other runners got quite a good start on me.  I saw up ahead that the group broke in two -- a normal occurance for group runs.  (Sometimes they break into three with groups this size).  And then I could see up ahead, Dave and a blonde female join the second group (the female, I learned later was Maura -- whom I have read about and seen on blogs, but have never met).

ANYWAY, my goal was to catch up with the group.  And though I was slow in doing so, I actually caught them before the turnaround!  This core strengthening and sprints added to road runs has indeed increased my speed.  Before this hip injury, I really don't think that I would have caught up.  The hills however, they were quite difficult.  I'm hopeful to get them back (SOON).  So hopeful, that if things go good for my next "rolling hills" run, I just might defy the physical therapist and run to the Top of the World later this week.  Shhhhh.  Don't tell anyone. : ) 

Maybe, just maybe, I'm being too hopeful.  Heck.  I'm doing my exercises.  I'm getting stronger. 

Awesome to get out in the group again.  Great to see my running pal, Tom.  Great to see Dave again.  Great to meet runners new to the group.  (Feels like I've been away for ages : ( -- yet it's only been a little over a month!)

Coming in after the five mile out-and-back, Quail Hill Trail, Irvine,  (Dave, me, Maura, Kathy -- photo courtesy Tom.)

Quail Hill In The Spring





Miles logged on this Palm Sunday:  5.0

Still I Stagger

Miles logged this cool, cloudless Saturday morning:  6.93

Barely Standing

Feeling rushed to increase mileage, I hit the pavement about 9:15 AM.  With the marathon three weeks away, pressure mounts.  At least it was this morning.  I wanted TWENTY miles.  In my heart, I knew I didn't have the time.  But in my heart, given the time, I thought I could do it. 

The morning started off cold and breezy, and that was a delight.  I didn't feel so strong, but I have this cold that's hanging on.  And maybe I shouldn't have taken that cold medicine this morning.  And then there were the negative thoughts floating about this wacky brain of mine -- two of them precisely, some worries (minor ones really, but annoying nonetheless) that I had no answers for.

Anyway, I flushed away the worries and worked on focusing on form.  And when I wasn't doing that, I made sure to think about NOTHING, which is kinda like focusing on form.  Because when I think about nothing, I just feel, and feeling or sensing form is pretty dang close to focusing on it.

I'd say the first ten miles went pretty good.  And then I made that second loop around the island.  That's when my energy seeped away.  Actually, seeped is too slow of a word -- it's more like it rapidly escaped.  I felt like I really couldn't run another step.  I took in some calories, some electrolytes and managed to plug through another five and a half miles.  But it was pretty much hell.  My legs actually began cramping, which is absolutely unheard of on flat, road runs in the spring.  I was pissed to say the least, and finished this run feeling defeated, afraid that there's no way that I'm going to be able to run a marathon in three weeks.

The rest of the day was solemn.  I did my physical therapy exercises in the evening and felt a slight ache in my hip.  That certainly didn't set my mood straight. 

I guess every day can't be jolly.

Tomorrow I swim.

Miles logged: 15.5 miles

Still I Stand

Almost recovered from this illness, I said, heck with it, and went for a quick marina run this morning.  My breathing was a little off (which is quite rare).  Time was short, so I was sure to add a few sprints.  I ran the entire 5.76 miles with a smile on my face (which explains why it seemed like everyone was smiling at me -- they were just returning the smile : )

Yes, I am a nerd.

Camera phone:  running on the island, the mouth of the harbor up ahead, rock jetty to right

Off the island, approaching small pier where visitors dock, and Marine Institute in background

Past the Marine Institute, the smallest strip of beach in town (The Headlands above and in distance)

To Run or Not to Run with a Cold

I went to Disneyland Friday night with a sore throat.  The trip however, was well worth it, having fun with the boys.  I got drenched on Splash  Mountain.  My clothes were still wet when we arrived home just before midnight.  Woke up Saturday even sicker.  Knowing Sunday was my run day, I napped and got to bed pretty early.  Even with the extra rest, I was still on the go, go, go as I usually am, but not as much.  I did not neglect my physical therapy exercises, and I even fit in an "easy" day at the gym.   

Sunday morning, I woke feeling a little better.  Then after some breakfast and Theraflu Severe Cold I felt just fine, perfectly fine, in fact.  I read somewhere, a long time ago, in some magazine or on some website that I cannot recall, that it's okay to run with a cold, but not okay with the flu.  And so, I laced up those running shoes and headed out the door at high noon. 

Skies were overcast in my beach town.  The air was cool, almost cold, and breezy.  I included my warm ups and cool downs and focused on form as I ran through Doheny, Capo Beach, the wharf and much of the marina.  I still felt strong, which is proof, in my mind, that I am successfully strengthening my core (though I still have plenty more to go).  Best of all:  NO HIP PAIN. 

Back at home, I did a few chores, then prompty fell asleep on the couch for two hours.  I woke miserable, cold and sweaty, the medicine having worn off.  Everyone here says that I shouldn't have run.  But I read somewhere, that it was okay to run with a cold : ))

Miles logged this afternoon:  8.36

Increasing Mileage

I have a short time here to increase mileage, being that I've got a marathon coming up mid-April.  My progress plans went down the toilet the end of December.  I haven't run a twenty plus mile since January 2nd.  Plan is now, increase mileage as much as I can, without injury.  Without injury, without injury, without injury!  Then go for it and run those 26.2 miles, even if I don't get a twenty plus mile in before then (though I'm hoping on at least one). 

Oddly, this hip injury could be the best thing that has happened to my running.  Why?  Because I learned firsthand how important core strength is (& I've already experienced the benefits).  I learned how important warm-ups and cool downs are.  I used to warm-up by running slowly, and my cool-down consisted of merely stretching.  Now I've added briskly walking for ten minutes to both the warm-up and cool-down periods.  And  I've learned some good exercises from physical therapy.  And what do I get from all this?  STRENGTH.

My run this morning (flat run!) was strong. (And I by the way, wore shorts!)   I ran in and out of every crevice of Doheny and Capo Beaches (where I passed that train above), the campgroup loop four times, the wharf a couple times, the island, and all along the marina.  The weather was warm, though a slight cool breeze blew around the marina waters that did wonders for me, not to mention the dozen or more drinking fountains along the way.  The whole run did wonders actually.

Miles logged today:  14.29.  I aimed for fifteen, but 14+ is good.  I simply cut it a bit short, because I still had things to do at home.

Felt great back at home.  I had a few blisters on my feet, which is an entirely new thing for me.  Never happened before.  Iced the hips (the injured and non-injured).  Then as evening approached, oh about 6:00 PM as I ran in high heel shoes to make my son's concert (I made it in the exact second they played the first note : ),  my feet took quite a beating in the blistered area.  About 8:00 my hip began to ache and stiffness set in.  After my physical therapy exercises and stretches, the ache was gone. (I suppose I'm still not 100% back yet)

Not a Good Day to Run in Pants

I went for my run this morning in pants.  Mainly because it has been so cold lately, and also before I was a trail runner and ran only roads, I wore pants.  I put them on today out of habit.  Needless to say, I was exasperated by the heat.  I even changed my route to avoid the sun as much as possible.  It was 86 degrees, I hear.  EIGHTY SIX. 

I'm not complaining really.  I swore to never wear pants to run again, and enjoyed my carefree run.  I added a few sprints, experienced no pain whatsoever, most importantly in the hip.  I passed plenty of drinking fountains throughout the marina, made sure to run the shady sidewalks.  And then to my delight, I saw a friend that I basically haven't seen since I started trail running (we used to pass each other at the marina all the time). 

Actually, I didn't see her at all.  In fact, I ran right past her, my earphones blaring. Then ever so faintly, I heard, "Lauren!  Lauren!  Is that you?"

Nowadays when I hear someone say, "Lauren," I don't even flinch.  It seems like every third little girl is named Lauren.  Growing up, I was the only Lauren I knew.  Well, not exactly.  There was Lauren Bacall, Lorne Greene and a boy named Loren in my high school class.  So, today, it was almost like a dream, someone faintly hollaring, "Lauren."  I'm not sure why I suddenly halted and turned around.  But I did.

I love coming across people I haven't seen in a long, long time.  It's one of my delights on this earth.  We chatted for a few minutes, she put back on her headphones, I put mine back on, she continued her walk, I continued my run.  Just like the old days (well, not that old -- I've only been running trails since June '08, and didn't almost entirely give up road runs until last June).

Miles logged this hot, hot morning:  8.66 

Just Shy of Exclaiming -- I'm Back.

Sunday morning, time for a longish run -- it was difficult to get going due to the time change (Spring forward : )

I followed PT orders with a ten minute warm-up.  That is, I WALKED down Highway One (a gradual hill that I am forbidden to run for the time being).  The weather was cold, cold, cold, and being that I was WALKING, made it even more difficult to get these old bones warm.  I wanted to cross the highway to walk the sunny side.  But I was spooked by an drunken old guy who mumbling loudly, stumbled a few steps forward then one step back.  It was 7:50 AM, and I had to wonder whether he had been drinking all night or did he just start early AM?  Sad to see.

As soon as I hit flat ground I took off running.  Slow to start, I ran into Doheny Beach's main entrance, happy to see that today was the Grunion 5k Run.  And I was running on the course!  I didn't see any runners, but off in the distance I noticed an empty start/finish line, so I knew they were out there somewhere.

Much to my amazement, I warmed up less than a mile into my run.  Was it the physical therapy, the planks, or the ten minute walk? Perhaps all.  I've written several times that it usually takes me about four miles to warm up (terribly long, I now realize after Sunday's run).  With a smile on my face I headed on, adding three sprints (okayed by PT) over the next mile or so. 

On the bridge over San Juan Creek, the 5k's front runner made his way toward me -- a delight to see.  As I've mentioned before, it's a rare thing for me to see the front runners.  This guy was a good minute in front of the next runner.  In fact, the first five or so runners were surprisingly spread out.  I studied their forms.  None of them had the swinging left to right arms that I see so often.  All of them kept their torso's facing forward too (no twisting) and most seemed to have relaxed limbs.  Around runner #6 was the first female; the next few in a row in fact were women. 

About that time, I turned into the campground to run my regular loop.  It was full this Sunday morning, bacon sizzling over campfires.  People shuffled along in pajamas, puffing their first cigarettes of the day or holding mugs of steamy coffee.  I was going to run that second loop that I normally add, but I just had to get back out on the race course.  I love the excitement of a race.  And I love how people get out there, especially those who find it most difficult, to conquer the 5k.  (I remember how very difficult it was for me the first several times and how I so feared the dreaded DFL -- last place : (

Then the first large cluster of runners passed by me, followed by a few stragglers, then another large cluster (which I noticed plenty of twisting bodies).  Then the runners thinned out again, with the walkers pulling up the end.  I passed their turnaround point and continued on into Capo Beach.  I felt strong, amazingly strong.  My trunk felt solid, my legs and arms, so, so light.  More importantly, I felt absolutely no hip pain, no ache, no stiffness.

I ran until the side walk ended and made my way back to Doheny, running along the boardwalk with other racers, the finish line up ahead.  I turned off about fifty yards before crossing it, ran onto the grass, around the bathrooms with three or more other runners who did the same. 

Out of Doheny, I ran the road down to the jetty, past a dozen or so longboarders in their wetsuits waiting for that wave to ride in.  Fishermen, and one woman had their lines cast into the marina waters beneath sunny blue skies.  Though my gloves were now tucked into my belt, it was still pretty cold out, with a mild breeze. 

I made all my usual turns, through the wharf, which was lined again with artists and their paintings.  Sunday was the last day of The Festival of the Whales.  Old Woodies lined the grass along the harbor, brand new Fords were out for display too.  Concession stands lined the parking lot at "Baby Beach" just past the makeshift pancake breakfast restaurant. 

I ran every crevice, most of them twice, ending this run with one last short sprint to make the light at the crosswalk.  Then as directed I didn't run up Golden Lantern, instead I walked it and back home briskly for my cool down. 

Great run.

Miles logged:  12.27

Words of Wisdom

Physical Therapy today.  After a recap of my runs, etc., these are the words of wisdom descended upon me.

1)  NO HILLS.  (So, I guess I goofed there.  I thought just as long as I felt no pain, and the terrain, that is horizontally, was flat, that I was okay).  Not.

2)  NO TRAILS.  I haven't run any trails since therapy began.  But I've been aching to.  So, I asked today, what about FLAT trails?  Answer:  No.

3)  PLANKS -- YES.  I can do reversed crunches if I want to, but Planks are really where it's at!

Felt pretty good after PT.  Hip ached quite a bit about 2 hours later.  Now, it's back to normal -- that is, no pain, unless I tweak it.  : )  And so, I won't tweak it.

Miles logged today:  0
Yards swam:  2,250

: )

A Hair Brain Idea?

Thursdays has been a running day for a long time.  So when I got word of an emergency meeting (re: work), I didn't fret too long.  I couldn't run tonight.  I had to work, after that, it was off to my son's orchestra practice.  My only choice:  simply run to the meeting.

My husband said it was a "hair brain" idea.

Hmph.

So did my son.

Double hmph.

I stuffed my glasses, a pen and some paper, plus my phone into my belt, glad that I came up with such a good idea.  : )  Out the door, I began my run uphill, a pretty tough climb.  Afterwards I ran downhill toward Insterstate 5 (even stopped in to see my youngest and husband at preschool).  After crossing over the river, I ran the road that runs between the interstate and the railroad tracks -- the car dealership ghost town.  And then the run got pretty tough -- tough as in, the road was not runner friendly.  The sidewalk ended and cars raced by at high speeds as I ran on an uneven gravel portion closer to the tracks. 

I made it to the district office with twenty minutes to spare.  Plenty of time to stretch, drink and rinse off my face before heading on in.  I don't really care if people think I'm crazy.  There was one guy a the meeting who congratulated me.  He saw me running by the car dealers as he drove in. 

I decided not to take the same route home.  My plan, hop onto the bike trail and run it on into Doheny beach (I don't call it the "bike trail" usually.  I call it the  "river walk," because it's a paved trail that runs up above San Juan Creek, which is sometimes a river.  Absolutely no one else calls it the "river walk," though.  I get laughs in fact when I call it that).

I guzzled down at the water fountain in a park that overlooks the creek, then headed toward the ocean.  But it turned out that the bridge that crosses the river (creek) was closed.  I headed back into San Juan Capistrano, and ran a much longer route home.  I got to pass my boy's elementary school and finally climbed back toward home as I passed my son's preschool.

I arrived home rather tired, but HAPPY.  Happy for no pain in the hip!

Miles logged this morning:   9.15

Gettin' Better (I hope I am, I hope I am . . . )

I've been doing my physical therapy exercises daily.  And I've ever so slowly been adding core exercises (like planks and reverse crunches.)  Yesterday, I set out for a road run, a little leary.  The wind blew hard as my feet hit the pavement.  I cringed, bracing for the worst.  But I was pleasantly, no . . .  more than pleasantly, more like exhilerated over the fact that I felt no pain, not even an ache in my hip.  I was afraid though, because I could still feel that my hip wasn't right.  It felt weak, as if I was recovering from an accident (in a way, I guess, I was). 

Believe me, I was oh so careful not even to twist in the wrong way.  I focused on posture and form, and gingerly stepped off curbs.  I didn't even cut across the grass woven with thick roots in fear that I'd step on one of those roots and jar my hip.  Didn't touch the sand, just stayed on that pavement for the whole, windy, windy run along the wharf and beaches.

For sure I'm healing.  The trick is, to keep it up.

Miles logged on Tuesday morning:  7.26.  But I feel sad when I look off yonder at those green hills calling out my name. 

Time to Give it a Try

I woke this morning with no hip pain.  I did my physical therapy exercises and stretches.  And being that I had to go to the post office anyway, I thought I'd take a little run.  I headed out in running pants, and a hoodie, zipped to my neck.  Gray skies, it was breezy and pretty cold.  But my hip felt fine.  And oh, about three blocks after taking off, I had that bright yellow hoodie off my shoulders and tied around my waist. 

Flat runs are difficult to come by in my town -- unless I drive down to the marina.  So I ran some minor hills out of the neighborhood, headed toward the sound of live music downtown.  With the roads closed into the town center, I realized that today was Festival of the Wales!  I ran on into the plaza, delighted.  Making eye contact with the band's lead singer, he waved at me as I ran  into the crowd.  The plaza was lined with vendors --different foods, arts and crafts, businesses advertising.

Out of the plaza, I ran across Pacific Coast Highway to the post office.  I crossed the highway and ran the cliff neighborhoods.  I just couldn't take it anymore; my body practically steered itself down the big hill to the marina.  There was a slight ache in my hip, not actual pain, so I figured it was okay.  Definately nowhere near a "2" on a scale of "1 to 10." 

Down at the marina, artists displayed their paintings along the sidewalk as crowds mingled about.  There were face painters, balloon twisters -- all sorts of interesting talents.  I squeezed through, making my way toward the wharf where I was met by another rock n' roll band.  Then I ran through the dry dock to make my way to the jetty -- a run up that road and back was an easy 1/2 mile addition to this run.   Fisherman threw a multitude of lines out into the harbor waters by the jetty.  And a great number of our city's homeless were camped out there as well.  As I ran through, an elderly, seemingly stinkin' drunk man (who could have been homeless) hollared at me, "You're lagging!  You're lagging," all the while shaking his finger and smiling at me with a toothless grin.  I thought to myself, "I know!  I'm doing it on purpose."

I kept up my leisurely pace back to the main road, a little concerned about running the big hill back.  Surprisingly, I took it no problem.  And the hip ached no worse.

Sorry about the hills Doc.  But they were nothing compared to what I'm used to.  And the PT said, "nothing that causes pain."  And the hills didn't cause me pain.  Really. 

Miles logged:  4.0

Back at home:  plenty of stretching, ice and more ice, and something new -- planks! 

Physical Therapy

I went to my first physical therapy session yesterday.  First ever.  It felt odd.  Like I didn't belong there; I was "out of my league."  I'm 45-years-old for goodness sake.  I've got three boys, a husband, a house to clean, laundry and meals to make.  I've got a teaching job and dreams of becoming a published novelist.  Yet, there I was, laying on a table while Kevin (my therapist) poked and proded every muscle to pinpoint just which ones were injured.  He found them all right -- three of them, in my left hip, just under my IT band.

Ouch.

After pinpointing that, he stretched my legs (more so than I ever do), and "rubbed" out my muscles (I don't know what it's called, but it's like a deep, hard massaging).  I did some exercises, had some electrodes attached to the hip with a comfortable pillow-like sack of ice over the injury.  It all lasted an hour and a half exactly.

Like I said.  This was my first time.  I don't even know the words to adequately describe the session.  I know that I felt better afterwards -- looser, but even more so, hopeful.  I felt hopeful that my running aspirations for the year might be met. 

It seems kinda ridiculous that I have running aspirations.  I mean, this is my hobby.  No, it's something more than my hobby.  "Hobby" just seems like the closest word to describe it right now.  What are my running aspirations for the year?  I'm not going to do the 20 races like 2009.  Instead, I just want Calico (check), Silverado footrace (check) and 3 marathons.  In addition to the 3 marathons, I'm aiming for my first 50k. 

Both my doctor and Kevin seemed optimistic about me running the marathon mid-April.  "But now is the time for healing," Kevin warned.  I am under direction to do nothing that causes pain in my hip -- even flat runs.  On the way out, I asked "What if I have only a little pain, can I run?"

"Only a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, then you can," he said.  "But DON'T RUN 12 MILES.  Run 3."

I laughed outloud.

"Long distance runners," he chuckled.  "You're all the same!"

Long distance runner?  That is remarkably odd to me.  I'm no long distance runner.  I'm a dreamer, a drifter of sorts, an escape artist who happens along the way, to chalk up the miles.  That's who I am.

I do have every intention of following doctor's and therapist's orders though.  And so when I woke this morning, and I actually felt pain in my left hip, I chucked my running plans (I went to the gym in the evening, and even chucked the abductor and adductor weights AS ORDERED).  And though I worked-out an hour and a half, I did nothing that caused pain in my hip.

Miles logged today:  0

Therapy orders followed:  100%

ps.  some funny things today:
1)  My 8-year-old boy went for a run today because he was feeling agitated.  He said it makes him feel better to run.
2)  My 10-year-old boy said to me, "Mom, those other runners, they're running FREAKS."  He was giving me a pep talk about following doctor's orders. : )       

Doctor's Orders

Well, the redness on my hip turned to welts, and the welts grew, moving further down my hip. It was time. Time to finally see the doctor. The welts subsided a great deal by the time I made it in. The news is good -- I've got an overuse injury that turned into a strain. He also said that I'm pretty lucky sliding down those slippery hills (leaning into my hip) on Saturday, that I didn't herniate a disc. Good thing. Doctor's orders are: no hill running whatsoever and physical therapy. Good news is, flat running is okay.

Yahoo!

Well, I am bummed about the no trails thing. I can hang though. I can hang.

The good doctor of course said nothing about mileage. He knows about my marathon mid April, so I kinda figured he knew I want mileage. : )

And so on this beautiful day, after getting all the boys off to school, I drove down to the marina. The skies were full of grand clouds, the sun peering out here and there. The weather was deliciously cool.

Marvelous.

My hip ached for the first couple miles. At the campground when I stopped for water, I stretched. Every fountain after that, I stretched some more. Eventually, I ran carefree with no ache. And I would have kept on running had I not needed to get home and do some chores before getting ready for work.

I won't deliberate on this run any longer, except to say,

Miles logged: 11.71

And oh yes, I couldn't resist with the camera phone.

Capistrano Beach -- we call it "Capo" around here (because we don't like talkin' much)

A lot of folk consider this "Capo", but it's actually the far end of Doheny. AND THIS IS THE ASPHALT PARKING LOT : ) We had us a little tsunami the day of the Silverado Footrace.

Lupin! Lovely Lupin.

ps. I so much want to run tomorrow. I'm holding back though, don't want to push too hard. Besides, tomorrow physical therapy begins.

Loosen Up Run

I drove down to the marina for a loosen-up run this afternoon.  I was feeling a bit stiff after the Silverado Footrace.  Mainly my shoulders and upper back ached. 

There was not a parking spot to be found, so I parked across the street and ran into the wharf.  The skies were blue, pelicans hung out on the boat ramps.  People lined the walkway with luggage in their hands for a trip to Catalina.   I felt good, light on my feet.  Then somewhere after crossing onto the island, at about mile three, a shrieking pain suddenly hit my hip.  I didn't shriek.  My hip did.  It felt like someone had stabbed me there with a knife and was twisting it as I ran.  I stopped to stretch, walked a few steps, then took off running again.  Stopped to stretch a couple more times and ran all the way back to my car.

Miles logged:  3.61