Station-2-Station / Take Two

I didn’t have any takers to run the mountains this morning.  Oh how I love those mountain runs; they are oh so tough.  But I’m just too chicken to run them alone.  Actually, I think it’s relatively safe to run them alone.  It’s just that I have 3 youngish children, and I wouldn’t want a stupid mistake (& I make them Plenty, see “Rat Story,”) or something beyond my control to take me out of my most important job:  Mom.

So, I decided last night to allow (as if), my family to use our one and only car for church (oldest son is the acolyte this month – that is he lights the altar candles, puts them out, etc.), and I would take the bus to my run.

When my phone alarm rang out at 5:00 AM, I experienced a little panic – am I racing this morning, am I running with someone?  No.  I’m catching a 5:58 bus for my Station-to-Station run (Crystal Cove Ranger Station to Aliso Wood Ranger Station).  Oh! That’s why the alarm was ringing!!!

I SO didn’t want to go.  I wanted to sleep.  This was this first time, it seems in a long time, that I had to force myself out the door.  Odd, because, I bedded early, with a healthy diet this past week, including no sugar and no wine.  I opted to skip the coffee this morning, but did have a protein drink.  (By the way, I hear that protein before a run is NOT good – is that true?).  Then after checking on all the boys, including hubby, I snuck out the front door and walked down to the bus stop. 

Dreary-eyed waiting for the bus (yes, I do believe that I am crazy, just a bit)

Usually, I love riding the bus.  But this morning’s bus driver was boring (A bus driver once spoiled me with such great entertainment, that no one compares!).  In addition, I felt uncomfortable in my seat (that is my chair).  I wanted to sleep, oh HOW I WANTED TO SLEEP.  Several others rode the bus (ten plus) and three of us exited at the same stop.  I walked up to the Crystal Cove ranger station with a young, (so young!) man with interesting conversation.   I wish I would have snapped a picture of him.  He didn’t seem so thrilled about being awake at this early hour.  But I was an open ear and had plenty to say, so hopefully that woke him a bit.  He also seemed apologetic about his new job, “only cleaning” the campsites, he said, to which I replied, “Hey, it’s a job!”  Jobs are scarce in The O.C., both for the experienced and inexperienced.  

When I told this boy (“boy” not used in disrespect) my plans to run up the canyon through Crystal Cove Park, then Laguna Wilderness, across Laguna Canyon and into Aliso Wood Cyns he was visibly shocked that these three parks connected.  (Well, they sorta connect). 

Crossing Bridge into El Moro Canyon

A lonely, yet beautiful El Moro Canyon Trail

I ran El Moro Canyon in solitude, except for a few mountain bikers riding down.  One looked at me and said, “Boy, that looks like fun.”  Though it was difficult, it was FUN.  The best part was that as bikers rode down and saw me, they yelled out behind their shoulders, “runner!”  That meant it looked like I was running up the canyon!"

From El Moro Canyon, I took the longer route up “Nice and Easy,” (a steep “fire road”), where I came across two other runners coming down.  At the top of “Nice and Easy,” still beneath cloudy skies, I took a right and hoped onto a lovely single track named “Missing Link.”  Several mountain bikers road down this trail as I ran up it.  My clothing was already drench by this point.  Then at a circular, kind of meeting point, I met several mountain bikers, and I was a bit unsure where to go.  I asked them if I was still on “Missing Link.”  One of the guys responded, “Yes, just take this up a ways and you’ll hit the MAIN ROAD.”  Relieved, I ran on to “the main road.”

This is when I learned that my MAIN ROAD is not the same as another’s “main road.”  To me, the main road on these trails is Bommer Road. I should have asked!  Instead, I hit that “main road,” and ran it.  And I ran it.  Something seemed odd.  With extremely overcast skies, it still seemed like I was probably running in the wrong direction.  I was just hoping that I’d end up where I wanted, EVENTUALLY.  And then I passed an outhouse.  I’ve never seen an outhouse on Bommer road.  But I have seen one on Moro Ridge.  After using that outhouse, I took a good look around and it seemed that the ocean was in front of me (though I couldn’t see it) and I needed the ocean BEHIND me. 

Oops. 

I met another runner as I ran back UP, UP, UP Moro ridge, and she confirmed that I was not on Bommer.  Then I met yet another runner who was lost and we spotted yet another runner up ahead.  We stopped her short of her solo run and she set us straight on which direction to take.  We all three ran off in different directions.  That truly is one of the lovely aspects of trail running. 

Finally reaching Bommer Road

I used the aid of lots of hikers on my way off of Bommer.  One small family was particularly helpful in finding Laurel Canyon.  Glenn had once commented on this blog how Laurel Canyon was a beaut.  And I have to agree with him.  What came as a surprise was that Laurel Canyon emptied out right at the ranger station – a  delightful surprise, since I was in newish territory!  When I saw the rangers, I hollered out “Rangers!”  and I used their expertise to guide me to Stair Steps Trail across the canyon up into Aliso Wood Canyons Park.  The ranger told me he’d wave as I was “running” up, (maybe it’s just me, probably is, but I got the feeling that he didn’t believe that I’d be running up).

Laurel Canyon Trail

I crossed the crowded Laguna Canyon Road safely (Hwy 133) and ran in the brush to keep as far away from the speeding cars for about a 1/2 mile.  Then when I came upon the land markers that the ranger had told me about, I headed up the slope.  And what a slope it was!  Stair steps doesn’t begin for a while.  At first it’s a STRAIGHT UP paved road (very tough, that I hiked).  Believe me, I was quite relieved when I finally hit Stair Steps Trail.  It was a long (only .7 mile) steep, technical trail, but it was runnable in most places.  Not only that, I knew exactly where I would come out – on West Ridge, MY TRAIL.   Be sure that I made big waves when I could see the ranger station below.  I couldn’t see the ranger.  But I kinda hoped that he could see that I was running.

 

Running up Stair Steps – Almost There!

When I hit West Ridge, I felt rather fatigued.  But I was finally in familiar territory, which made the trek more mentally doable.  I plugged away and finally after several hours from when I began,  reached Top of the World.  For some reason, at that point, I began dreaming of a plain cold water (without electrolytes) and an APPLE.  An apple . . . an apple . . . apple.

Top of the World (THE LONG WAY)

The rest of this run was my regular run.  But instead of running UP Meadows, I got to run down it.  What a relief!

Running down Meadows

After taking a call from a friend while running down Meadows (and dang it, I forgot to call her back), I called my husband a bit later.  With about 1/2 mile remaining of this run, I called hubby for a ride.  My requests:  a Pink Lady apple and a bottle of cold water.  He delivered as requested when he picked me up at the Aliso/Wood Canyons ranger Station.  The lot was packed with cars.

Miles logged this morning:  16.32,  +2,917/-2,940 elevation

Flashback Friday

1979



June Gloom – Bring It On

That time of year has arrived, the time that we on the Southern California coast call June Gloom.  Several years in my twenty plus years in The O.C. we haven’t seen the sun for the entire month of June.  Tourists hate it.  They expect the resort beach towns to be warm and sunny during June.  I, well, I have to admit, I like it.  The air was so full of moisture this morning, puddles formed on the walkways.  The breeze was cool, almost cold.  Still, I wore shorts and short sleeves for my run, because I knew just about ten minutes in, I’d be warm enough.

I decided on a loop starting down Wood Canyon, one of my usual loops.  Today, I noticed immediately, was one of those days that everything was beautiful.  Not sure if it was the June Gloom, or if it was that I was just so dang happy to run trails.  I noticed a nest stuck up on the kiosk, literally stuffed with birdies.  I crept in close, but not too close, for a picture.  Last thing I wanted was to panic the little critters and make one of them fall out of the nest.  I also spotted two deer (in different locations) on Wood Canyon Trail.  They lazily grazed as I ran up the trail, seemingly unaffected by my approach. 

Wood Canyon (if you’ve been in Wood Canyon, and it didn’t look like this, try entering the park from the other end – off Canyon Vistas, and not via Aliso Creek Road, by the ranger station).

Birdies huddled together in kiosk nest

Mountain Lion food

I ran to the end of Wood Canyon.  Then I back-tracked a tiny bit to Meadows Trail for a nice run up, up, up to the top.  Beginning my climb, I noticed a mountain biker about half way up, and I thought to myself, “pass him.”  That trail is tough to run up, even tougher to bike up.  I’ve seen many a mountain biker walk his bike up, so it’s not that difficult to pass a biker, even one with such a head start.  But it’s not easy.  About half way up, I forgot about the biker, as I had lost sight of him.  Then about five minutes later, I turned a corner and there he was drinking from his camelback, standing next to his bike.  When I passed him, he didn’t seem happy.  Maybe he was, but he didn’t respond to my head nod, and he had kind of a sour look on his face.  Poor guy.  I know exactly how it is.  Anyway, he hoped on his bike, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was trying to pass me.  He never did.

Here we go again!  Entering Meadows Trail (HUNDREDS of bees swarm about me at this moment)

Top of Meadows Trail, ah, ya right!  Not gonna mess up my loop!

Looking back down on Meadows Trail (Aliso Canyon mid picture)

Pausing for a pose at Top of the World

9.60 miles happily, joyfully run this morning

Aching to Run

I haven’t run since Friday!  And though my ankle still slightly aches, I ached more to run trails today.  Being the end of the school year, field-trips, open houses, play dates etc., life has been hectic – not to mention, tomorrow is my last day of school (work), and I’ve had seniors literally racing against the clock to graduate.  Two boys finished this evening who I thought weren’t going to pull it off.  I am so dang happy for them.

ANYWAY, in between all this, I finally fit in a short run today.  The weather was extremely overcast.  And I felt strong.  I guess a rest does me good.  I simply let my mind go and took it all in.  Today’s run cleansed me more than a run has in a long time.  When before I ran this morning I felt a little hopeless, afterward, I saw lots of opportunity and hope.

At the base of Cholla Trail

West Ridge Trail, which is the ridge that goes up to Top of the World has 3 off-shoots.  Two are not named, the last is Park Avenue Nature Trail.  I took all 3 for the elevation, though it shortened the mileage a bit on this out-and-back to Top of the World.  I love the difficulty, some of it technical, not to mention the single-track of these off-shoots (I think I made up that word – I also call them “C trails” because they’re kind of shaped like C’s, beginning and ending on West Ridge).

Running one of these “C Trails”

Snake Food

Goofing off with a pose to show off Laguna Coast Wilderness Park across the canyon

Spring Bouquet along West Ridge

Miles logged this morning:  6.09

Elevation profile of today’s out-and-back

ps.  The RAT is back!  It’s been seen running around our backyard (in broad daylight) like he’s the new puppy.  I don’t go in the backyard anymore.

Face-to-face with a . . . RAT!

I didn’t run Saturday.  I’ve designated that day as a non-running day because I’m starting to hear things like “You’re never home,” which is odd, because I mainly run when no one is home.  Regardless, I decided Saturday is non-run day.  I brought our oldest to his martial arts lesson (he’s second degree black belt) and our middle son to his guitar lessons.  I spent A LOT of time at home.  I was only away at the gym for a little less than 2 hours during the early evening.  My little “accident” earlier in the day justified that, otherwise, I don’t think I would have been able to get away with it guilt-free. 

Here’s what happened.  I walked into the house from the back yard (the screen door, by the way, was wide open – a little pet peeve).  And what do I see?  A big, multi-colored RAT run from the back rooms into the living room.  (My Facebook friends might know this story, you can just humor me  -- same story I posted but more elaborated : ).

Well, I can come face-to-face with a bobcat or a rattler and I won’t scream.  I can fall flat on my face on rocky terrain and I won’t scream.  But when I saw this rat scuttle across my living room, I screamed. 

Hubby came running from the back office and he ran in to find the rat.  Broom in hand he finally located the creature hiding behind the couch.  As he tried to shoo it out the front door, I pulled a barstool from the kitchen and climbed up on it.  Stooping down on this bar stool, hubby swatted at the rat who came scrambling out into the living room floor (away from the front door).  I screamed again and bolted up.  Thing was, I had placed that dang bar stool in the door way.  Therefore, my head slammed into the top of the doorway.  Talk about a stunner!  I really didn’t know what hit me, and didn’t realize that the barstool fell beneath me either.  As I plummeted to the floor, all kinds of thoughts went through my mind.  Mainly, what was I going to break?  Hopefully, just an arm, because maybe I could still run. (LOL – yes, I guess I am a bit crazy)

I came crashing down on top of the barstool on the kitchen floor.  Hubby of  course LEFT THE RAT IN THE LIVING ROOM and ran to my aid.  My entire right side aching, I called out, “The rat, get the rat!”  But that dang man wouldn’t leave my side!!  I pretty much knew that nothing was broken (except maybe the barstool), so the panic of losing running was gone.  But hubby wouldn’t tend to the rat with me laying on the floor on top of the barstool.  So, I limped out the back door and went out the gate to drive off and pick up our son from music lessons.  By the time I returned, the rat had been swatted out the front door.

Apparently, that is according to Hubby, the rat was someone’s pet (because it was too clean and it was multi-colored).  I ask, do any of you have a pet rat?  If you do, please don’t lose it near my house : /

Anyway, the worst of my injuries is a swollen ankle. I ice it here and there.  There’s also a small cut and bruise on the swollen area.  

I was kind of a mess Sunday, so it’s a whole other story why I didn’t run when I left for errands, my car packed with running gear late afternoon, but it’s all inner-related.   

Not in the best of moods. : (  But I hope you all had good runs, or a good time with your family.  (On the good side, we had a delightful Friday night celebrating our oldest son’s birthday).

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