Refill Water When You Can, Even If You Don’t Think You Need It ; /

I woke so sleepy that I considered for a moment changing my plans and running tomorrow.  That’s not such an easy thing to do, reschedule things.  It’s like a Dominos effect, changing one thing, changes another, and then another and so on.  So I dragged myself out the door and drove (in my rental that I turn in Monday) to the closest trails – Aliso/Wood Canyons.   

Runners, cyclists, hikers and those heavenly gray clouds were out in abundance by the time I arrived about 7:15 AM.  I parked across the street, at the back of the church parking lot to make sure I got exactly the mileage I planned – 18 miles.  I thought that wasn’t asking too much 18 miles, when I planned it.  (Just don’t think about the whole thing, everything’s going to be just fine : ).

It was one of those mornings that I merely told myself, “GO!” and I planted one foot in front of the other.  “It’s gonna get better,” I told myself.  It always does. 

And it did. 

About a mile and a half in I got some running company, Dylan from my running group.  We had a good chat up Wood Canyon, and then we took Cholla together.  It was a tough run for me.  I lost sight of Dylan about half way up.  (I don’t understand how anyone can take it quickly when it is so, so very difficult for me, even after running it again and again – but someday . . . someday : ) From there Dylan ran back down Cholla and I headed for Top of the World, relieved that I wasn’t running up Cholla again today.

About half way along Westridge, the sun came out, the sunglasses came on.  By the time I reached Top of the World, I knew it was going to be a hot day.  I guzzled from the fountains there, not wanting to take from the reserves on my back.  I still had plenty of water and made the mistake to leave Top of the World without topping off my waterpack.  Note to self:  ALWAYS refill water when I can, even if I don’t think I’ll need it.

Dylan On Westridge About To Make His Descent On Cholla

 

Running Along Westridge, Clouds Thinking About Departing

Top Of The World

 

 Sunglass Come Out Of The Pack

 

I enjoyed myself running Westridge to Cholla.  Having fueled at the top, I felt pretty good.  Going down Cholla, cyclists mainly pushed their bikes up (it was hot, hot, hot by now), some riders even sat to the side with their bikes in the dirt.  One man who was walking his bike laughed at me as I ran down Cholla.  He asked with a wide smile, “Did you lose your bike???”

At the bottom, I chatting with a couple cyclists while I stretched out my hip.  We debated whether it was more difficult to run or bike up Cholla.  They said, “run.”  I said, “I don’t think so, you’ve got the weight of that bike to take up with you – I think biking up Cholla has to be harder.”

Shade along Wood Canyon provided a great relief.  Shade along Coyote Trail did as well.  But then I hit Rockit Trail.  The run was excruciating.  Cyclists raced down the trail in large numbers.  Others sat in the little pieces of shade along the trail.  With the sun beaming down, I needed to rest!  I made picture taking my excuse.  At one point, I even thought about turning around, running back down Rockit and heading home.  That trail beat me up.

Entrance to Coyote Run Trail

The Hat Comes Out on Rockit

This About Did Me In!

After refueling and a constant source of water I somehow managed to hit Westridge again, which I gleefully took, mainly downhill, back to Cholla.  Running back down Cholla toward the lovely shade in Wood Canyon, I noticed my water running very low. 

With about 4 miles remaining, I ran out of water.  Hot and fatigued, I tried not to think about this situation. I put one foot in front of the other, running with my head looking to the ground.    A little bit of shade remained when I spotted a snake-lizard trying to gobble up an apparently dead garter snake at least ten times its size!  It looked ridiculously hilarious. (I looked very closely at the garter snake and noticed small punctures about the middle of his body – possibly a bird had killed it, then accidentally dropped it?)

What The Heck Is This Lizard Thinking?  

By time all shade disappeared, I felt awful – dragging, weak.  I needed water.  I needed shade.  At the last stream crossing, I bent down to the flowing water.  My calves cramped up, but that water felt so cool and refreshing as I ran my hands through it.  Then I submerged my hat into the creek, wrung it out, put it back on my head and plowed onward.  (At one point, a glorious cool breeze blew through Wood Canyon head-on).

At Aliso Creek Trail, I took the pouch out of my pack, hoping maybe just a drop of water remained.  It was sucked dry.  Upon reaching the ranger station, I literally stumbled up the steps.  The woman ranger gave me the best cup of cold water I ever tasted.  Thank you so much!

Well, I did it.  And I didn’t die.  And it was nice meeting a running friend on the trail – that’s always a pleasant surprise. 

Next time I will refill at Top of the World.

Miles logged today:  18

You Pretty Much Can't Run While Crying

This morning runner went for another evening run, this time before dinner.   The sun was hot.  And as usual on my evening runs (because I'm not an evening runner) I left the house without some, not all, essentials -- those essentials being:  chapstick and gum : )  But I did remember water and music (very important). Oh!  And I remembered my phone, as is evident by the beach pictures below.

I stayed in the moment most of my run, enjoyed the occassional breeze as I ran along the coast.  I circled the campground twice, the front row no-longer flooded.  The surf was loud and rough, kind of roaring.  And then my mind drifted to my car, the fact that it is totalled and that we have to go to the "Totalled" yard to clean out my stuff. ("Totalled" makes it sound worse than it is -- my car is merely 8 years old, and the damage is worth more than the car, therefore it is "totalled.") 

Anyway, my heart began racing as I ran through Doheny beach thinking about my car, and I grew weepy.  I can't face going to see it, but I can't ask my husband to do it for me -- I already ask him for so much.  ANYWAY, it is not good to cry while running.  In fact, you pretty much can't run while crying -- it takes your breath away.  So, I put a stop to that quickly and got back into the moment where I thought about nothing but my surroundings and my form, and I added some sprints in here and there.   

I had planned on ten miles today.  But after running through the wharf, I came across an old high school buddy (and by old, I don't mean HE'S old, because 45 is the new 30, right?).  We chatted some, as it is too much of a gift to pass up when you come across a friend on the run.  Then I ran a little more and powered up the big hill home.

Miles logged this evening: 8.3

I'm gonna miss my car.  We bought it for my baby, just before he was born (my middle boy).  We've driven it to Texas and back again and again.  I planned on driving the car until it died.  I guess it is dead : ( 

Why Do You Run?

I stumbled upon this browsing youtube.



Who knew that I would ever love runners?  (I really always just thought they were crazy, now I LOVE them)

Fitting in Summer Runs

With the boys out of school and myself teaching summer school 2 mornings a week, I find it so hard to fit in runs. Thing is, now is not the time to start slacking. So I did planks and push-ups this morning as I watched my five year old do his sports camp in a local park. Then after the boys' swimming lessons this afternoon, I rushed home to cook dinner so I could get out the door running. Thing is, I made tacos for everyone else and stuft salmon (stuffed with brown rice) for myself. Timing was all wrong. Tacos were ready way before the salmon. So after eating some tacos, I ate my salmon. Then I waited. I can't just run out the door after a dinner like that!

Boy, I don't mean to be too critical of myself. But I'm blowing it! (I neglected to mention above the candy I ate while preparing dinner)

Regardless, I had a lovely run this evening.  Ran out the door and did a beach/wharf/marina run, running up Golden Lantern with ease (thanks to all those trails). 

Here's what I observed:

1)  No need to wear long sleeves like I did, even on these cool summer evenings.  Sure everyone else wore long sleeves down at the marina, but none of them were RUNNING.

2)  High tide had crested the burm at Doheny campground, and the front row campers were flooded out.  Well, not actually flooded OUT.  They weren't leaving.  But there would be no tents hitched there tonight.  Campers would be sleeping in their r.v.'s and hopefully by tomorrow, the six or so inches of sea water will have subsided.

3)  The other campers were just fine and dandy, lighting campfires enough to practically make me gag from smoke inhalation.  (That's not necessarily a complaint, just an observation).

4)  The restaurants were full in the wharf, not usual these days, especially with so many businesses and restaurants closing in town, and

5)  I came across about five other runners.  All of them smiled.

Miles logged this Tuesday evening:  6.17

ps.  Physical Therapy begins tomorrrow

The Big Loop Clockwise / Aliso Wood Canyon's Park

Sunday Morning's Run -- had the bright idea to videoblog instead of a write blog. Would have been much, much easier to write up this run.  Very difficult to fit 12 miles into less than 10 minutes of video. Learned a lot though. And added some music to maybe make it semi-interesting : )

Fun, fun run (despite how I look at the end)

Heat Run (or is that heat stroke? : )

A morning of errands in and out of the house, drove my son in-land (just a few miles) into belligerent heat for a doctor's appointment.  It was only 10:00 AM.   Back to the beach shack, where we have no air-conditioning (and we hardly ever need it), it felt like an oven.  I felt sorry for the baby-sitter.  But I was off again to fit in a run.  The time was 11:30 AM  (note to self, don't run around noon on the hottest days).

With little time to spare, I drove down to the marina.  I thought, this should be nice and cool -- lovely ocean breezes, plenty of water fountains to drink from.  The first fountain I ran past, a woman held the faucet on while her two large dogs lapped water straight from the fountain.  I'm talking slobbering mouths all over the faucet.  Nice. (After that I would let the water run a while before drinking)

I noticed a few other runners, in and out of the wharf, over the island, all of us practically suffering from heat stroke.  Nah, it wasn't that bad.  Sure wasn't cool next to the ocean like I thought it would be though.  Fortunately, a breeze came through.  But they were few and far between.  This will be good practice for Bulldog, I thought.  NOT. 

I'm spoiled now with over twenty years living on the coast.  Growing up in Covina, California, I suffered through quite a few 100+ degree days.  We never get anything near that here.  Seventy degrees, I call it hot.  Eighty degrees, gosh, the devil is in town!

Fun stress-free run nonetheless.  Felt good the whole time.  The rest of the day it was ice, ice and more ice (pelvis, hip and back).  It doesn't hurt to run.  But everyday, whether I run or not, later in the day, I need ice for the my accident injury.  I begin physical therapy on Monday.  And I am confident that I will come-back quickly. (Please, please, please)

Miles logged: 5.25

Goals-to-Date

Well, we have passed the half-way point in the year.  Time to look at how my goals are headed (all of them, not just running)

Goal #1 Conquer Calico -- complete

Yes, I returned to Calico.  My time was longer in '10 than in '09.  But the race didn't chew me up and spit me out.  I nearly conquered the cramps, though not completely.  I did not fall.  And I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face (injured and all -- from a previous 09 race).

Goal #2  Run 3 Marathons -- almost there

I've run 2 marathons thus far in 2010, both pretty much kicked my butt.  As I've said before, I'd do it again, with the exact same results.  And of course, I got my first DFL, I was 6th place out of 6 marathoners in one of those marathons.  One more marathon to go -- and I'm going for a good one -- The Saddleback Marathon.  (Oh no!!)

Goal # 3 Lose Weight -- Failure thus far

I pretty much have not lost a single pound.  Sure I've lost a pound here, but then gained a pound there.  I'll lose 3, then gain 5, then drop 6 to start all over again.  I don't want my life to be about my weight, so I'm not going to stress too much about this.  Perhaps that is why I'm not successful yet in this weight loss journey.

Goal # 4 Volunteer 2 Races -- Goal!!!

I volunteered Twin Peaks 50/50 in February, and then the Harding Hustle (30K) in July.  It was a blast and a pleasure and as always AN ADVENTURE.

Goal #5 Find an Agent -- in progress

I can't say "failed" yet -- I am a fiction writer at heart, and yearn for an agent to represent me in publishing my novels.  This year though, I suddenly began writing a non-fiction book.  An interested publisher or an agent to represent me will fulfill this goal.  I've been so busy lately though, I've done little to accomplish publishing goals.  And I don't believe that I've submitted one single short story for publication this year : (  (But I have posted some on my fiction blog simplyfictionaltales.blogspot.com.)   I have however, published SEVERAL low paying internet articles this year,  and though I didn't necessarily agree with the editorial changes (because they took out my personality, not that my personality is great, but at least it is a personality), I am grateful for the by-lines that I can add to my resume.

Goal # 6 Run a 50k -- in progress

Bulldog 50k -- upcoming August 21!

Goal #7 Build a stronger core -- in progress

My core is definately stronger.  I've been weight training, doing planks, reverse crunches, etc.  I'm unsure when this goal is complete, but I know that I am progressing, yet still need a lot more strength in my core (all so that I can run more, that is my ultimate goal after all -- run, run, run, because I love running, so very, very oddly -- running was never me : ) 

Goal #7 Have more patience -- in progress

I believe I have practiced more patience this year.  But I need much improvement.  I want to be a positive influence on my sons.  I'm not yet where I want to be, but I have not failed, especially if I keep on trying. 

Goal #8 Don't sweat about the little things -- in progress

Again, I can never be exact on accomplishing this goal, but I have tried, really tried to stay in the present (that is why I run!).  If tomorrow is a stresser, I don't think about it until tomorrow.  I am much, much better this year about stressing over unimportant things.  REALLY.  DAMN IT. 

Specific fitness training goals:

Running Miles 62.41% of goal (year goal = 1,080 miles)

Elliptical Miles 44.82% of goal (year goal = 360 miles)

Swimming Yards 32.87% of goal (year goal = 54,000 yards)

Cycling (at the gym!!  I only own a 1 speed beach cruiser) 51% of goal (year goal 180 miles)
Weight Training Days 37.50% of goal (year goal 120 days)

These are just all my personal goals.  Of course, because I'm a bit crazy I have lots of other goals, like clean out my work-out gear, run more with my son, clean out the garage, throw tons of things away (I'm not very green, sorry), etc., that I didn't list here.  The goals listed are my main goals.  I am not saddened by the shortcomings, nor am I elated by the accomplishments.  I am indifferent about it all.  And that is not a good thing.  I don't want to be indifferent.  I NEVER LIKED INDIFFERENCE, YET THAT IS WHAT I AM BECOMMING.  It's just been one of those years, much which I haven't blogged about, because who wants to read about hardships and depressing things?  (Well, I take that back -- lots of people like reading about depressing things, because 1) they can relate, and 2) they feel better about their own lives).  That's not to say the first half of 2010 has been all depressing.  No.  I am very blessed.  And I believe that's the lesson I'm learning this year.  Despite EVERYTHING, I am blessed.  And I am lucky that I have even come this close to accomplishing these goals. AND THE YEAR'S NOT OVER YET : )