Goal Met

With a mere (ha!) fourteen miles remaining to make my mileage goal this week, I absolutely, under no circumstances wanted to go out and run.  I’ve been experiencing a bout of insomnia, and having finally got some solid sleep around 3AM, I was in no mood to get up when the 4:30 alarm went off.  So, I went back to sleep.  And I dreamt about running.  As I tossed and turned, I wheeled and dealed in my mind about how to handle today’s run.  I threw out a run in the mountains (that would gain me a couple hours).  I considered local runs and continued dreaming about running. 

When I finally woke, I slowly prepared for today’s run.  I knew that I had to do this, else regret the remainder of the day.  With a cup of coffee in hand, I felt much better when I stepped out the front door and let the cool morning air hit my face.  Without thinking about the next hours to come, I headed off to Aliso/Wood Canyons intent on a 14.5 mile out-and-back.  Turns out, I didn’t trust myself with an out-and-back.  It’s too easy to turn back early with out-and-backs.  Instead, I committed to a big loop.  The loop however, I know from experience, only measures 13.25 miles.  This meant I had to add little portions here and there to make up the remaining 3/4’s of a mile.  Last thing I wanted to do was run circles around the parking lot at the end of this run to make up the distance.  (How many of us have done that before?)

I won’t keep you in suspense.  I got the job done, and I’m better for it.  There were four creek crossings.  I came up upon three deer, one coyote, many rabbits and squirrels and one gopher.  I climbed up to the ridge and took in the Pacific Ocean.  Always an awesome experience.  Also, the ridge was crowded with runners, hikers and mountain bikers, so much so, I’d call it festive. 

My morning:

Wood Canyon:

Running up Cholla Trail:

Looking down at Laguna Canyon Road from West Ridge:

Nearing Top of the World:

My trip down Mentally Sensitive, which I could have probably travelled faster if I had sat on my behind and slid down:

Miles ran:  14 

Weekly Goal:  Met! (40 miles)