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)

Coping

I’m learning to cope with this early out schedule finally.  HOWEVER, yesterday, while it was “early-out” for our elementary school sons, it was “late-in” day for our middle son.

Boy-oh-boy!  I made the best of it and played gym rat.  And may I please just once more request, PLEASE stop dropping the weights.  Okay, where was I?  Oh yes, coping.  That’s right – coping.  In other words, I went for a trail run.

This morning, so happy to get back on the trails, I decided to skip Psycho-Path (Mentally Sensitive).  Notice that I’ve taken “Psycho-Path” out of the parentheses.  I opted to run up Meadows Trail instead – yes, the very same one that I thought I would never have the strength to run.  And I have to say, after “Psycho-Path”, Meadows is easy!  (Well, not exactly easy.) 

I decided on Meadows to give myself more time because I had it in my heart to visit Dripping Cave.

Ready to take off down Aliso Creek Trail from Ranger Station (still a bit chilly):

Now, this is why they call it Meadows Trail.  Just wait til spring!

After a quick pit stop at Top of the World, I raced down West Ridge, making pretty good time.  Then I decided to run down Mathis instead of Car Wreck so that I could work on my downhill speed even more.  Car Wreck is not the trail to work on speed, it’s more the trail to work on technical foot work. At the bottom of Mathis I turned off onto Dripping Cave.  And having made such good time, I knew that I had plenty of time to goof around at the cave and still make it in time to pick up the boys for “early-out” day.

Running Dripping Cave trail.  Notice Poison Oak on right adding to a lovely fall color. 

Gnarly roots along Dripping Cave Trail:

First thing I did when I reached Dripping Cave was take off the headphones.  Being a secluded area, I wanted to hear anyone or anything approaching.  The next thing I did was inspect the cave for snakes.  Then I simply investigated the cave walls, walked about from end to end, peered off behind the cave, and took some silly photos.

Touching cave ceiling:

This looks like a nice spot to enjoy the scenery:

Leaving Dripping Cave:

I felt good running back to the truck.  Few runners ran into the park, lots of mountain bikers made there way in and out.  Along Aliso Creek Trail, I ran by 3 or 4 squished white and gray mice.  Not snake food anymore.  But I’m sure some coyote might enjoy the tasty (yikes!) snack soon.

Autumn in the coastal hills of Southern California:

Miles logged this morning:  9.42 (15.16 km)

Warning: Contains selfish sarcastic rant

I kind of hoped that I didn’t get a call to sub this morning.  Why?  Because I wanted to run.  The local trails were closed all weekend due to “wet and muddy conditions.”   But I really needed the work and should be praying for that sub call since I don’t work my regular job til tomorrow.  Selfish!

Then this week, ALL WEEK, we have early-out days at the elementary school.  This schedule really screws things up for me trail-wise.  By the time I drop off son number 3, I have very little time to run.  Selfish.  Selfish! 

I returned home from dropping our first two boys, weeping because I neglected to do something my youngest son wanted to do this weekend.  And also over the fact that I’m a selfish jerk. (It seems like youngest son is getting “the raw end of the deal.”  I already did everything the first two times (sons), and now I’ve grown so dang obsessed with running, I don’t take time like before to stay with family.) 

Are all runners selfish?  I suppose so.  I mean, how can we run without neglecting others?  But not all runners are selfish jerks. 

I woke my husband with my woes, and he wasn’t too happy (probably called me a selfish jerk, at least something like that).  That got my oldest son on a rant against Dad, to which I pleaded, “disengage . . . disengage!” (Hubby has never read my blog, so I can pretty much put anything in here – however, other family members do read this blog once in a while, but I’m just in that kind of mood to post this anyway!)

I dried up those eyes because I didn’t want to send our oldest son off with the vision of a sad mom.  We sang and snapped our fingers to Pink on the way to school.   I wore sunglasses and faked a wide smile.  I don’t think it worked.

Fuming over anything I could conjure up, I headed for the hills.  And what did I do?  Why, I ran a route at Aliso/Wood with the steepest climb.  Now why would I put myself through Mentally Sensitive A.K.A. Psycho-Path again and on a day like today?  The answer is quite simple.  When I do something extremely difficult I cannot think about a single other thing.  I did it for relief from my sadness and anger.  And by the time I reached Top of the World, I received a call from hubby who I thought was wondering where I was.  But I suppose it’s obvious that I was on a trail somewhere.  Instead, I got the message that my boss was trying to get a hold of me.  So, I phoned her up on the ridge to receive a warning of potentially bad news.  After dumping this warning of potentially bad news on my husband (see, selfish!!), I headed down Car Wreck Trail, which I think was quite apropos for my state of being.  

Though my run was wonderful, today was not a good day.  And really I’m not right and probably shouldn’t even blog.  Anyway, I raced back to the truck to make it back for early-out day and pick up the boys.  A few minutes late, I nearly got into an argument with a man who insisted that I wasn’t letting him back his enormous S.U.V. into a tinee-tiny parking space.  I mean, how the hell was I supposed to know that he would try such a stupid thing?  When he exited his car stopped in front of me and walked up to my car window to tell me that I needed to STOP and let him back in, I believe I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh.  I tried to think of something sarcastically witty to say.  But I couldn’t think of anything.  Then I commenced to sit in my truck an additional five minutes as he backed in, pulled forward, backed in, pulled forward again and again, until he had it just right.  I really hope that I don’t know the guy.  There’s a good chance.  I just wasn’t in the right state of mind today, even after my run, to realize whether I’ve seen this school parent before. 

Tomorrow, I’m hoping for a better attitude, a self-forgiveness for my selfishness and a smile for everyone, even dufuses who try to back their SUVs into small spaces in crowded parking lots.  

The atrocious water damage on Wood Canyon Trail after a storm so fierce it closed down the trails:

Running off toward Mentally Sensitive:

Snapping photos as I run up Psycho-Path:

Running along ridge toward Top of the World:

Car Wreck Trail:

Miles logged this morning:  9.85 (15.85 mi)

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

Recovery

When I returned from Saturday’s marathon I was on a natural high, mainly because I couldn’t believe how much I accomplished my goal.  The remainder of the day, I felt sick, nauseated, achy.  My eyes ached from all the salt in my sweat that dripped into them.  I bedded early. 

Sunday, I barely remember.  I remember waking stiff all over, and also, nearly falling asleep several times during church – not that the service was boring.  I was just dang tired.  I napped Sunday afternoon, then bedded early again.  Basically, Sunday was a blur.  I had to ask my husband if it had rained on Sunday because I had planned on painting the yard gates.  By Monday, they weren’t painted.  I suppose I may have lost a few brain cells on Saturday.

Monday, I saved my running legs and played gym rat.  I did a lot of stretching, foam rolling, ab work, weights and even 65 minutes on the elliptical crossramp.  Mainly, my right IT band was sore, and my quads needed lots of rolling.  The 2.5 hour workout seemed to “iron-out” this.  But boy was I sleepy!!  AGAIN.  That afternoon I napped a few hours. Then I tucked into bed about 8:30 PM.  Needless to say, this constant sleeping on my part annoyed some in my family (I won’t say who, but there was more than one culprit!)

I felt my recovery was going along beautifully.  I think the sleeping helped.  I couldn’t help but reflect on this marathon (quickly counting, I believe, my 6th) compared to my first marathon on 5/31/2009.  (San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon – I actually found my blog for it, buried in Myspace.)  From my recollection, after my first marathon I couldn’t run well for weeks.  And when I did finally put in five plus miles, I had a difficult time breathing evenly.  Recovery was tough then.

That wasn’t the case this time.  I woke this morning FULLY refreshed.  I felt elated that I had time and energy to run on the third day after the Saddleback Trail Marathon.  And so, after all my “wifely/motherly” duties, and before my afternoon job, I headed out to Aliso/Wood Canyons for a carefree run to the Top of the World. 

I ran up Cholla Trail, a short ascent which seemed like a bump in the road compared to Holy Jim.  Then I ran along the rolling hills of West Ridge, smiling wide at probably a dozen mountain bikers who made their way along the trail.

 Top of Cholla Trail

My usual post marathon depression either hasn’t hit or didn’t hit after Saddleback.  It usually hits within 2 days.  Thing is, I’m so dang happy that I made such an improvement, it might not hit this time.  I’ll tell what did hit almost immediately:  a melancholy feeling over the fact that this journey had ended.  I had been working so long and so hard for this one race.  And now it is over.  I realize though,  there are lots of life journeys, and that while in the midst of the journeys I’m in right now, new ones are beginning all the time, and another running journey is just around the corner.

Still, I found myself day dreaming frequently about Saturday’s marathon on today’s run.  I allowed it somewhat.  Then I’d force myself out of the past and grudgingly enter again into the present.

Yes, I’m a bit odd.

Day dreaming about Saddleback Trail Marathon – why look there’s Saddleback in the distance right there!

Acting silly at Top of the World (with SADDLEBACK mountains in background):

I didn’t run the out-and-back as planned this morning.  Why?  Because I did not want to stop running.  Instead, I headed down Mathis thinking I might run into Jeff (he often choses Mathis).  My friend Jeff by the way, also greatly bettered his time in the Saddleback Marathon. 

Instead, Mathis was empty.  But empty is lovely too.  The skies were blue with wispy clouds, the weather cool enough that I didn’t regret long sleeves.  From there I ran over the plank bridge that crosses Wood Creek and ran a shady, cool Wood Canyon back to the truck for a total of 7.70 miles on this “recovery” run. 

Fall blooms along the ridge:

Wood Canyon, where the color green is now “in”:

Today’s profile: