14th Day of Streaking into the New Year

On the 14th day of my running streak I wasn’t sure where I would run, nor how far I would run.  I simply knew that I would run.

I woke earlier than expected with a little boy at my side kicking me out of my bed.  Baby had a bad dream and wanted to cuddle with Daddy.  My feelings weren’t hurt.  Boys need to cuddle with their dads, and there comes a certain age when that just isn’t going to happen.  I wanted to know what he dreamt about though.  But unfortunately, he couldn’t remember, else he just didn’t want to tell.  So I decided at 5AM, what the heck.  Just get up!  And that’s what I did, with my running shoes in hand.

As I dressed for a run on a cold, federally-observed-holiday morning, I still wasn’t sure on the location or distance I’d run.  I had plenty of options in mind.  I fed our dog, drank two cups of coffee.  I carried along a 1/4 filled jug of carrot juice and stepped onto the front porch with the fog horn blowing.  Right away I noticed  four Raider’s glasses carefully arranged on the top step.  Just so happens, the Raiders is my husband’s favorite football team, and he was watching their game the night before.  But I didn’t know whether the Raiders or the Chargers won.  So, I didn’t know if the Raider’s glasses were a dig or a congratulations (turns out the Raiders lost – and the glasses a mystery).

I arrived to Aliso/Wood Canyons park a little before 7:00 AM, and I do believe it was close to freezing.  The parking lot was crowded as well as the church lot across the street.  But there were plenty of spots along the rode where the curb was mischievously painted red years ago.  Knowing this, I park along the rode all the time, with no tickets.  The fact that the road had plenty of parking spots told me that the park was crowded with lots of people who don’t frequent it enough to know the red curb is bogus. 

I took off on an empty, yet cold, cold, cold,  Aliso Creek Trail and after 1.5 miles took a left onto Wood Canyon.  From there I gleefully, yup, truly gleefully turned onto Meadows Trail.  Why do I say, “gleefully?”  Well, heck, because I knew I was headed toward the hardest trail in the park, Mentally Sensitive, aka,  “Psycho-Path.” 

Running onto Meadows Trail:

A deceiving beginning to “Mentally Sensitive” Trail:

I like to run Mentally Sensitive because of its mood modifying qualities.  The trail is so dang steep that I need great strength just to NOT slip backward in a couple spots.  In order to conquer that hill, I have to make sure nothing at all, except conquering that hill, enters my mind.  Then almost miraculously, before I’m even finished (about halfway) any kind of sadness, or anger, or worry that I carried along with me, vanishes.

Poof.

Like magic!

A quick swing-time break at the Fountain of Youth:

After my swing break, I ran along the ridge with an awe-inspiring view of Saddleback Mountains.  I witnessed a large group of people off in the distance huddled in what looked like a prayer session.  As I ran a single-track on my way to Top of the World, I saw a woman sitting on a boulder with a man on his knees weeping in her lap.  I tried not to look that way because I didn’t want to invade their privacy.  At the same time, I couldn’t help wonder about the man’s tragedy (though there are many reasons people cry, and hopefully his was not over some tragedy).

View of Saddleback Mountains as I ran along ridge after conquering Mentally Sensitive:

Breakfast at Top of the World:

At each mile, it seemed I peeled off a layer.  First came the knit cap.  Then I stuffed my gloves into my pack.  Of course that meant the cap came out and the sunglasses came on.  Next I took off my long sleeves.  Finally, I was running care free, happy, yes, HAPPY, if I may use that word, because it really isn’t the right word.   I can’t say enough about just “being”, that is, enjoying the beauty that surrounds you, the company, if there is any, that graces you.  The moment you are in wipes away all things.  Like magic.

And like magic, I ran into the park at Top of the World.  There I chatted with a young man who really wanted to know what I’ve seen on the trails and how to get to the good trails in Saddleback Mountains.  He was a young adventurous soul, but not confident enough to have made the ventures.

As I ran along the ridge, I noticed how dang crowded the park was.  In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so crowded.  Though I came upon very few runners, I saw lots of hikers and COUNTLESS mountain bikers. 

Running along Coyote run, overlooking Wood Canyon, the bikers are so steep, I needed to turn off and run up to another ridge, Nature Loop, because it was getting so difficult dodging the bikers:

Taking a moment to pose as I run down Nature Loop:

View of Wood Canyon from Nature Loop Trail:

Hikers coming up as I make my way down Nature Loop toward Mathis:

I didn’t plan on ten plus miles today.  I really didn’t plan on much anything.  I didn’t plan on witnessing three deer cross Wood Canyon Trail.  I didn’t plan on nearly missing my good friend, Blue Heron, on Meadows Trail.  I didn’t plan on a bee stinging my arm.  I simply planned on running.  And I would have kept on running if I didn’t need to get back home.  I kind of missed my family.  Though I love to run, it’s difficult when I leave the house before anyone awakens.  I don’t get to say, “Good Morning!”  My mother always cheerfully said “Good Morning,” to us kids, and that always irritated the hell out of me back then.  I would like to do the same for my children.

Miles run this morning:  12.83 (20.65 km):

First Run For 2012

I am not going to look back on 2011 like I usually do in the new year blog entry.  Though I really enjoy reading other blog entries that do this.  If I look back, I fear that I will turn into a pillar of salt.

I am also not going to look forward.  Nor am I going to make a New Year’s Resolution.  To make one would simply be stating exactly what I’m going to do for about a day . . . then quit.

Instead, I’m going to roll into the new year with a motto, “Do Better,” and I’m just going to keep on keeping in the moment.  That is not to say that I’m not going to plan or look to the future.  Nor is it to say that I will never look back.  It’s just that the moment is the easiest place to be for me.  And I like easy.  If you are a returning visitor you may think, “I’ve seen your elevation profiles – you don’t like easy!”  Believe me, I do.  I love EASY.  And those huge elevation profiles, they are what help get me back to easy.

Late this morning, I ran my first run in 2012 (my 13th consecutive day running).  And believe it or not, it was an easy run down to the beach, even though sweat ran like a running faucet.  That always happens on a recovery run.  I consider today’s run a “recovery” run. 

The day was warm and droves of people made their way down to the beaches.  This is what we do in coastal Southern California on New Year’s Day.  Sorry. 

I flew down the steps, actually jumping some onto the landings.  Really.  I realize it doesn’t look like I can do that, but I did.  I ran along the sand enjoying the surf as it pounded in.  I only saw one other runner.  But I saw lots of surfers and beach-goers this warm winter day of 2012.  Joyful.

The Strands, looking toward The Headlands:

I jumped onto the rock base of The Headland cliffs and spent some time with the sea creatures in the tide pools.  And I enjoyed the waves crashing upon the rocks.  I didn’t contemplate a thing.  I have MUCH on my mind, which is exactly why I didn’t contemplate a single thing.  I didn’t want to “go there.”  Instead I reveled in the the colors: greens, blues,  and browns.  With my back to the waves, I took some photos and then I was off, running along the dry sand to the steps back out of the beach. 

I ran The Headland Trails, which were crowded with walkers.  All the lookout points were taken.  However, I was able to get a few good shots in before heading out to the highway where I ran back home (without jay-walking, or rather jay-running).  The restaurants were more crowded than I’ve ever seen, with late breakfast-goers probably after a wild night of New Year’s Eve Parties.  The overall town seemed to be in a happy, yet somber mood.

Looking at a lone sail boat from The Headlands:

An odd pose on The Headlands (when I stood, the camera cut off my head):

View of the marina as I ran back to the highway:

4.75 miles run today. (7.64 km)

New Year’s Eve Silverado Loop

I’m not sure that I can adequately write about my last run of 2011.  So I will probably let “the pictures tell the story.”  I will write that this run was fantastic.  It was difficult, quite difficult for me.  But I loved every second of it. 

I will also say that running friends are really something special.  We go through so much together.  It’s as if we escape all the harsh realities together and go to a place to share an awesomeness beauty together.  And we just “BE.”   That’s the way that I see it anyway.

In a nutshell, we began on a cold morning up Maple Springs Road.  My friend Jeremy had to turn back early.  But I’m really grateful for the time he was able to put in running with us all, especially on New Year’s Eve.  Three other friends, Kelly, Michael and Rob joined in on this spectacular run as well.  And I met a new running friend, Kurt, who also ran with us today.

At the top of Maple Springs run we continued up and down an excruciating rolling ridge.  Kelly remembered and pointed out the exact spot I began to see stars when I ran this very same loop 2 years ago.  I looked ahead at the large ascent approaching, and I thought “OH MY!!!”  This time though, I ran the whole thing.  Don’t get me wrong.  I didn’t sprint it.  I ran it more at a snail’s pace.  But I ran it.

Some scenes from today’s EPIC run:

Kurt, Rob, Michael, Kelly, Me, Jeremy ready to take off up Maple Springs:

Kelly, Michael & Jeremy as we began this run on asphalt:

Group photos at “Four Corners.”

Running the Main Divide I look at Maple Springs in almost disbelief that we ran that thing:

Rob & Kelly look out over Riverside County from the Main Divide:

Rob’s new pet; he runs this snake back to the cars:

Running the Main Divide, will the Silverado Motorway EVER get here?

Silverado Motorway at last!

Group shot running down Silverado Motorway:

Keeping the fluids flowing:

Rob and Michael take off on the steep, rocky, switch-back:

Silverado Motorway – about 2 1/2 miles, it seemed much shorter than 2 years ago:

Back at Maple Springs, a shot of my salt stained shirt:

Acting goofy back at the lot:

Miles run:  16.77 (26.99 km):

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Santiago Oaks

I set out early this morning for some trails I’ve never run.  I met friends Sheila and Kelly in a shopping center parking lot at the base of the mountains and we took off on the streets for some trail running in the foothills.  I felt surprisingly well for this being my tenth consecutive day running.  And we took some pretty good climbs together. 

We ran a trail called Bumblebee that lead to gorgeous views of The O.C.  The weather was perfect, our loop rolling and joyful. ( I could see Santiago Peak off in the distance and longed for it.)

We got in some fire road, some gravel, some single track, some switchback and cliff trails.  Running up Anaheim Hills Trail we met a couple of hikers who mentioned that they renamed that trail “Dirty Rotten Filthy Hill,” and their friend called it “Cardiac Hill.”  That really cracked me up because I’m a trail re-namer too.  (I’ve renamed Mentally Sensitive to “Psycho-Path,” and I’ve named a portion of West Ridge, “Good Girls Don’t.”)

In all, we three women ran 8.33 miles on this Thursday morning (13.41 km).  Lovely, lovely run.  And here’s the best thing as we approach the end of the year:  with over 1,600 miles logged, I am UNINJURED.  I have so many things to credit for this fact, which I’ll save for another entry.  I will write that part of the non-injury stuff comes from my cross-training at the gym.  But alas, 2011 is an end of an era for me.  My gym membership runs out in a few days.  And I won’t be renewing.  Though I am a fairly new runner (meaning I started in middle-age), I have pretty much always been a gym member.  I don’t even feel like going back now knowing that I won’t be renewing.  But at the same time, I feel like I need to go back, knowing that in a few days I won’t have a choice. Yet, I have learned much over the past few years, so I’m confident I can keep up the non-injury streak without a gym membership.   

Scenes from a run though Santiago Oaks:

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: