I’m No Renegade, But . . .

Sure, I often run the same place (not necessarily the same time) – that is, Aliso Wood Canyons.  But this place is filled with so many lovely trails, so many treacherous climbs (well, not exactly treacherous), that I could concoct a different route every day. And, that I did today.

Time short as usual, especially because it’s our oldest son’s birthday (Happy Birthday J!).  Thing is, I’m just too selfish about my running.  Even if the washing machine is broken (and it is) and I had to run back and forth to the Laundromat (woke at 5:30AM to fit this in) and had more even errands to run to finish off the birthday event, I wasn’t going to give up my run.  Those other things, well, I’d have to squeeze them in somehow (see, selfish!).

Enough self-degradation.  My run was a great release. 

First thing I saw running into the canyon, a quail.  I always see quail running the coastal hills.  That is, I see quail running about as I’m running about.  Never before have been able to capture a picture this close: 

Since, I knew I couldn’t put in great mileage, I decided to run off Wood Canyon Trail onto the single-tracks that I love so much.  First on the agenda:  Wood Creek.  After a nice climb, I over-looked the canyon, then hopped onto an overgrown single-track.  I ran through plenty of spider webs and reveled in the shade of this paradise trail before dumping back out onto Wood Canyon Trail.

On Wood Creek Trail Overlooking Wood Canyon

Running Wood Creek Trail

More Wood Creek – 3 or more of these wood plank bridges exist.  One of them is about to bust in half.

I ran Wood Canyon for a bit.  Then reluctantly made my way onto Coyote Run.  Why reluctantly?  Well, that’s the sight of the last coiled rattler that I came upon.  I have this funny idea that I’m going to come across a rattler in the exact same place I have before.  It’s never happened.  Nevertheless, I turned my ipod down low to run this trail:

Coyote Run dumps out onto Mathis.  Running Mathis, I quickly came upon the closed-off section with signs and warnings to STAY OUT.  Now, the bottom part of Mathis has been closed since our December rains.  But I thought it had reopened by now.  Unfortunately, the detour is Dripping Cave, which was too much out of the way for me.  I was running to the Top of the World, and I didn’t have time for such a detour. 

I’m really not a renegade.  But rules like this one (the closed trail), I treat more as a guideline.  As so, listening carefully for trucks, I ducked beneath the barrier and ran Mathis.  The entire area was plowed.  Large machinery stood vacant, but no workers were about.  After running out of the closed portion, where the climb begins, I came across two women bikers.  They asked me if they could get through Mathis.  I told them it was closed, but I had ran it.  They were pretty nervous about attempting such a devilish feat.  But they too didn’t have time for the detour.  They asked me what I thought a few times, with worried looks on their faces.  All I could really say was – it’s closed, there’s barriers, but I crossed the barriers and didn’t get caught.  I added as we parted, “If you get caught, just say you’re lost.” 

Shhhh.  Don’t tell anyone. 

Running Up Mathis:

Finally Reaching Top of the World

My Reward (coconut water)

Once I hit West Ridge for the return trip, the climbs were joyous.  The down hills were downright fun.  Though the sun blared down hard, I got bits of shade from the birds of preys’ shadows as they flew over head.  I saw one hawk with a mouse in it’s mouth.  Poor mousey.

Upon reaching the car, I was rushed, oh so rushed.  I raced around looking for the video game my son wanted (never to find it).  Then I picked up youngest son from school, did some laundry at the Laundromat.  Hubby picked up middle boy, while I cleaned the kitchen and wrapped presents.  Then I rushed off to do more laundry, purchased a gift card for Game Stop, bought some swim goggles for our eldest and picked up his birthday cake. And let me tell you!  I think today was National Walk as Slow as you Can Day.   I was trying to whiz through the stores with people walking sooooo slow.   Finally, I rushed home, feeling flabbergasted.  After wrapping the last present and laying the gifts out just right on the piano, I was ready to go pick the birthday boy up from school.  Before leaving, I said to my two youngest boys, “Today is kiss your brother’s a** day – I don’t want anyone to end up in the cornfield.”

Was that wrong?  (It’s been a rough year for my precious pre-teen).

My husband gave me a horrified look when I said this.  My boys didn’t seem to get it.  Do you kind of understand what I mean about the cornfield???  If you’re my age and grew up in the U.S., you probably know exactly what I mean.  Just ask, and I’ll explain (if you’re dying to know : ))

Today’s elevation profile:

Miles run today:  7.6

National Running Day? Who Knew!

Half Marathon on Monday, swimming and weight training Tuesday, today I thought I’d take the day off and not run.  I really had too much to do.  But then I got on the internet and found out that today is National Running Day.  Did you know about this? I didn’t.   Heck!  Well, I just had to run. 

I would be green with envy knowing all those people in the nation were running today, if I wasn’t.  Took me a while, but I was finally out there on the trails by 10AM.  The breeze was delightful, cool and crisp, not cold.  I felt strong, a little quicker.  My mountain running has dwarfed the hills of Aliso/Wood Canyons.  Mainly these coastal hills have become much easier mentally.  Cholla for example, is quite steep.  But it’s only a 1/2 mile (about .5 to 1.0 on profile above).  A half mile uphill is nothing compared to 5 miles uphill. 

Happy Girl (ya, that’s right a 46 year-old girl!) about to enter Wood Canyon

Prickly Pear on Cholla Trail

Running single-track off-shoot on West Ridge, looking toward Pacific Ocean

When I reached the top of the hill I’ve named “Good Girls Don’t” I waved at a man driving a utility truck, then realized I knew him.  In fact, it seemed we both at the same instant realized we knew each other – he’s my middle boy’s best friend’s father.  He knows that I run, but had no idea that I ran trails.  He was in disbelief that I could run these hills.  On the other side, I knew that he biked, but I had no idea that he rode these hills.  We both knew all the trails, and slipped in trail talk  between talking about teachers and the elementary school our sons attend. 

Our chat afforded me a nice little rest before heading up to Top of the World.  From there, I ran Park Avenue Nature Trail (Yes, again : ) and back along West Ridge, making it in time to stretch, grab lunch, get gas, pick up some groceries and order my oldest son’s birthday cake, all before making it in time to pick up my youngest from school.

“Good Girls Don’t”

Posing at Top of the World

6.12 miles logged

Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon

On a whim (sort of – I had actually toyed with the idea), Saturday I registered for a half marathon today, Memorial Day.  It’s a road half marathon, but one that goes through my favorite wilderness park (Aliso/Wood Canyons).  Actually, it goes through the paved portion, Aliso Creek Trail, and that’s good enough for me. 

It’s been a while since I’ve run a half marathon on the road.  My last half was in the mountains with lots of elevation gain and it took me over three hours (3:17)!  I was a little nervous and reluctant about running this race.  I feared the road runners would “blow me out of the water.”   

Overall, I am glad I ran.  I saw other runners I know (Tom B. and Jeremy H., see recent Holy Jim runs,  – and I got to meet Jeremy’s wife, Jodeen, as well at today’s race).  Besides the fun of large crowds and cheering bystanders, I noticed lots of differences between road races and trail races. 

I’ll start at the beginning.  Porta Potties.  The lines at road races are immense.  I mean, hundreds of upon hundreds of runners line up to use them – and there is no forest or desert boulder to duck behind.  Secondly, the women either wear capri running pants or itsy-bitsy shorts (of course there are exceptions).  Most people don’t carry water; they rely on aid stations.  And those who do carry water do so in their hands or around their waists.  I only saw two others wearing water on their backs.  (I elected to do so in this race, because I didn’t want to stop for water and I wanted a place to keep my phone, camera and keys.)

Also, People don’t generally run and chat with strangers in road races (though of course, I’m sure there’s exceptions again).  In road races, it seems runners don’t look over their shoulders when switching sides (like I have to, else get hit by a bike on the trail).  Also, the road  race starts off much, much quicker than on the trail.  I mean, amazingly quicker. 

I started off much quicker than usual as well.  We also started off with about 4,000 5k racers, which made that starting pace even faster.  I reached the halfway mark at 1:02.  (My best 10k, the Dana Point Turkey Trot, I believe was 1:03, maybe 1:02, so I was running faster than my best 10k road race pace).  Up until the midway point, I hoped to finish under 2:15.  But upon reaching the halfway point quicker than I thought, I realized breaking 2:15 would be really tough.  I was tiring, and knew I couldn’t keep up that pace.

As it was, about mile 10, I started to really slow my pace.  And at mile 11, the 2:20 pacers passed me.  I said, “Sh*t!” without realizing out loud.  The pacers who carried tall signs that read 2:20 turned around and said, “It’s okay, you’re doing great.”  I felt badly for my comment, because I didn’t want to insult any of the runners that I found myself surrounded by.  Clusters of people swarm around the pacers.  (Another difference between road and trail races.  On the trail races that I’ve run, there are no designated runners holding up signs with ending times posted on them).

I veered off to the side and was able to race by the pacers and the pacer crowd, only to be passed by them again by mile 12.  By then, I said to myself, “Okay, if I come in before 2:30, I’ll be happy.”  And that I did:  2:23:32.  And I was happy.  Happy that I got to play part of this big running event to commemorate Memorial Day.

Other differences between road and trail races, I didn’t realize until it was over are:  1)  my feet ached after racing the road, never on a trail race, and 2) the after-party is much more festive and crowded with vendors on road races, and that’s pretty cool.

Around the half-way point, coming into Aliso Canyon (Aliso/Wood Canyons Wilderness Park)

Heading back toward finish line (notice waterfall about mid photo)

The after party

Elevation profile (also mine and Jeremy’s garmin read 13.25, not 13.1!)

My Stats:

Overall:
994 out of 1412

Women:
418 out of 706

Females 45-49:
49 out of 88

Fun, fun, fun in the California sun.  I forgot to mention, it was hot this May day morning.  I mean HOT. 

No Name-El Moro-Fence Line-Bommer Loop

This morning I drove a total of forty-two miles (round trip) to run less than 7.  That cracks me up. 

I’m not complaining.  Just laughing.  I wanted something short because I thought I’d bring the mileage down this week, as I accidentally topped 40 miles last week.  I also wanted something a little different so it would seem like I was exploring.

So, I drove up to El Moro in Irvine.  The clouds were gray, the weather cool.  And I enjoyed this solo-run immensely, all without getting lost, boxed in or stung by stinging nettle (I also didn’t fall, which is always a good thing). 

After running down No Name Ridge (truly, that’s the name : ) I turned off onto West Cut Off (below) to connect up with El Moro Canyon

I ran past lots of these wild roses

El Moro Canyon Trail

Running up Nice and Easy (Yup, that’s the trail’s name : )

Posing on Fence Line Trail which heads up to Bommer Ridge

Ahhh, single-track

6.6 miles run this morning

7 Months Later

Sometimes when I run a trail race, I’m all alone for miles.  Other times, it’s me and a few other runners.  Sometimes it’s just me and one other runner.  There are times when you’re running together for just a little while.  And there are times when you are together for some hours (Calico!).  A couple weeks ago there was the women that I ran with for a while when we both took a wrong turn in Malibu Creek State Park. 

There’s a bonding that goes one when you run with a stranger through lonely parts of a race.  You help each other through with conversation, perhaps a gel.  And when it’s over you feel like old friends.  Old friends who rarely ever see each other again.  It’s kind of sad.  But you get over it, and go onto the next race.  If not that, you go on enjoying your trails. 

I’m pretty sure that I’ve passed sixty races in my relatively short running “career”, and I’ve got to say that I’ve run some lonely trails with quite a few strangers.  I very rarely have ever seen any of them again. 

That is until today!

So, TODAY, I took another lovely run in Aliso/Wood Canyons, a loop up Meadows.  Just before I really started climbing I came across a snake basking on the trail.  I couldn’t see her tail, therefore, couldn’t be sure if she was a rattler.  I can’t rely on color, because I’ve seen rattlesnakes with varying colors.  If I was thinking, all I had to do was look at her head.  I know a rattler’s head.  There’s no mistaking.  Instead, I hollered at it.  She didn’t flinch.  I picked up sticks and tossed them close up to her.  She still didn’t flinch.  (By the way study sticks carefully before picking them up, because they just might be a snake!)  I really wasn’t in the mood for running and leaping over her, and I sure as heck wasn’t going to run off-trail into the thick brown grass.  THAT is how you get bitten. 

I hid back a ways on the trail – maybe she’d think I left and continue her trek.  She didn’t flinch.  Finally I took big heavy fast steps straight at her and she quickly slithered off trail.  That’s when I saw the skinny tail – no rattles.  

1 1/2 miles into park, turning onto Meadows Trail

The stubborn snake

Running up Meadows Trail

Running the local mountains has dwarfed Meadows Trail.  When I reached the top, I thought to myself, is this the top?  It can’t be!!  Now, I’m not saying that running up Meadows is anywhere near easy.  But it’s definitely easier after the likes of Holy Jim.

At top of Meadows Trail, overlooking Pacific Ocean, acting like a goofball.

I reached Top of the World feeling strong.  I took my usual (of late) little detour onto Park Avenue Nature Trail.  As I ran, I debated whether I should run Car Wreck Trail down or Mathis.  I really wanted to run Car Wreck, because I get to run also through the fairyland Oak Grove Trail.  But time was fleeting, as usual.  I could take Mathis at a much faster pace than Car Wreck.  I had to pick my youngest up from school.

View of Pacific Ocean from Park Avenue Nature Trail

Witch’s Hair (Dodder) draped over flowery brush

At pretty much the last minute I decided to run Mathis down to Dripping Cave, flinching as I passed Car Wreck.  I ran the mostly exposed, sometimes rock trail at a fun pace, enjoying the gorgeous green canyon.  Then running down the last hill, I noticed another runner.  I hardly see runners on the trails that connect the canyons to the ridge – mostly I see runners on the ridge or in the canyons. 

Just as we passed each other, he said, “Are you Lauren?” 

A bit startled, because I didn’t recognize him one bit, my response was a little juvenile.  “Ya.  Why?”  (I chuckle to myself now!)

Turns out that runner was Jeff, the guy I ran with for the last three, even more maybe four or five miles of the Saddleback Marathon. 

Wow!  I was so happy to see him today.  I’m so glad that he recognized me.  To think that we could have run past each other without knowing!! His company really helped me finish that November race!  Since Saddleback, I often wondered about Jeff, because I knew he also trained in Aliso/Wood Canyons.  But now over 7 months since the marathon, I figured he was like so many runners that I’d never meet up with again. 

I’ll tell ya!  I felt ecstatic, like I had met up with an old friend.  So funny, I could not recognize his face at all!  He is slimmer and also has a beard and mustache now, which may be why I didn’t recognize him.  (If you’ve watched my Saddleback Marathon video, he’s the guy toward the end that my camera catches glimpses of).  Though I didn’t recognize his face, I definitely recognized his voice.  Isn’t that funny?  Someone I met once, I recognize his voice. 

“Old” friends (not as in old age ) meet up on the trail.  (I look a mess – and if I weren’t so happy over seeing this “old” friend, my vanity would have stopped me from posting this pic.)

I was even happier at that point for choosing Mathis over Car Wreck Trail.  Afterward, I took a fun little jot up Dripping Cave.  Then stopped for a photo-op in the cave. 

I say, it’s good to follow your instincts, intuitions, inclinations, whatever you call them.  So many times, they have led me to surprises.

Dripping Cave Trail

Posing in the cave

9.60 miles run today. +1536/-1530

No Woes

I am now one of those people using a broken-up cracked cell phone and am happy to do it!  I like having a junky phone – ideal for the trails.  Turns out I dropped it on my last run (on the road!)   Fortunately, someone found it, called and returned it.  And it still works same as before (for now). (I will be the last person I know to buy a “smart" phone.)

Went for a delightful trail run today.  Had very little time, but I needed to get rid of my woes.  Not permanently of course.  Such is life.  Instead, I set them aside momentarily for a bit of running:

Running up Cholla Trail (.5 to 1.00 on graph above & miles 5.5 to 6) – today’s route to the ridge:

Top of Cholla, ready to run West Ridge Trail

Running along West Ridge.  Which Trail did I take?  Hmmmmm . . .

Well, you’re reading the blog of a single-track lover.  I took the right trail, so that I could see this:

And this:

Back on West Ridge, another fork in the road.  Which trail did I take?  You probably have guessed the pattern.  Single-track minded, I took the right.

After running to Top of the World, I took another single track detour onto Park Avenue Nature Trail to end up back on West Ridge, with much of it’s trail laid out before me. 

Miles run this morning: 6.4

One Way Trip

Spent the morning resting – that is making lunches, getting the boys off to school, running errands, scrubbing our bathroom floors, toilets, tub, sweeping floors, vacuuming, doing dishes, laundry.  And then I went to work.  LOL.

I ran home from work this evening.  And let’s just say, I wasn’t feeling the love.  Fatigued, I enjoyed the cool breeze.  But I got spooked by a boy holding a baseball bat over his shoulder like he was going to swing as I ran by him.  I actually lurched out of the way at the last second, crashing my garmin into a street sign’s pole. (He didn’t swing)  And I grew really annoyed at a lady who when making a left hand turn, waited way, WAY too long to stop as I ran (legally, I might add) across the street. 

I am so dead-dog tired, already in my pj’s, I’m going to grab myself some water and a book and go lay in bed.  I’m hoping tomorrow to get to responding to past comments.  That’s one of my favorite things to do.

Miles run this evening:  6.38

About 1/3 mile into my one-way trip home from work. 

I kind of felt like I was running in a penitentiary.

Stacking Rocks / Something people in my parts do.  This one has just begun growing.  They can get quite elaborate.