November New Member Run

I ended a chillin’ week by “leading” this month’s New Member run for The OCTR (Orange County Trail Runners).  I put “leading” in quotes because I didn’t really lead it.  I more liked organized it and then showed up.  The runners who attended were much too fast for me to “lead.”  Fortunately, my good running friend, Michael, showed.  He took it easy and kept me company as we covered some of the cool trails, of you guessed it, Aliso/Wood Canyons.

Ready to hit Wood Canyon and run up to the ridge:

Top of the World:

A daunting Car Wreck Trail:

The Car Wreck:

Making our way to Oak Grove Trail:

Heading back:

This morning’ Elevation Profile:

Solo Group Run

Due to a series of circumstances, I was to host the new member’s run for OCTR (Orange County Trail Runners) that I had to change the date on, less than a week ago.  Pretty certain that no one would show, I arrived to Aliso/Wood Canyons at 7:00 AM just to make sure.  I would have probably slept in today had it not been for this group run. 

I stood around in the parking lot for about ten minutes.  When I determined there was no “New Member” run for me to lead, I thought to myself, “I can just go home.”

But I had dressed for a run.  The satellites had already loaded on my garmin.  I had my running belt on, had already dissolved a Nuun tablet.  “I’ll just run to the edge of the paved trail and turn around for a mile and a half round trip.”

And so I ran.

When I arrived to the dirt single-track, I thought to myself, “Okay.  I’ll just finish up Aliso Creek Trail for a 3 mile round trip.”

And I ran onward through the misty canyon called Aliso Canyon.

At the end of Aliso Creek Trail, I felt okay.  Not magnificent.  Not super strong.  But just fine.  So, I thought to myself, “I’ll run some of Meadows and turn around before the climb for a 4 mile out-and-back.”

I am happy that I turned off onto Meadows.  As I ran the overgrown single-track, a honey-colored weasel ran across my path.  It was the cutest little critter, its belly so low to the ground as it scampered across the trail.  I would have loved to have scooped him up and taken the little guy home for a pet.  But alas, there’s no way I would have been quick enough to snatch it up.  And if I had done so, the weasel would have most likely left behind quite a few scratch scars before I finally dropped it to the ground, both of us screaming.  

Now that’s a single-track (Meadows):

Well!  At the base of the Meadows climb, I thought to myself, “Heck, I’m already here.  I might as well run to the top for a 6 mile out-and-back.”  And so I ran up that great switch-back hill, running first through bountiful mustard plants like these:

The run up Meadows was misty and foggy.  I couldn’t see the top.  A few mountain bikers and hikers made their way down.  One hiker caught up with me from behind.  With him right on my heels I picked up my pace because I wasn’t going to let a hiker pass me going up Meadows.  I gained my distance on him and beat him to the top.  But I have to point out he was ONE DANG STRONG HIKER.  Because I focused so much on not letting him pass, the top of Meadows came as a surprise.  A welcomed surprise. 

Running up Meadows:

Top of Meadows, the Hiker Who Nearly Passed Me in Background:

By the time I reached the top of Meadows, I felt strong enough to keep on running.  I thought that I could go for a 9 or 11 mile standard loop that I frequently run.  Then on second thought, I figured, wouldn’t it be nice to surprise my family and arrive home in time to attend church with them?

And so I ran back down Meadows and through Aliso Canyon to my truck and drove home.

OCTR December New Member Run / Arroyo Trabuco

No “new” members showed this morning for the OCTR “new member” run.  The founder, Jessica Deline, (& her lovely pup), Sherree, and myself showed for this brisk, cool morning run (might I add, gorgeous as well with blue-skies-and-big-white-puffy-clouds run). 

Jessica lead the way, navigating with her Smart Phone.  We made our way down to Trabuco Arroyo Trail in the foothills of the Saddleback Mountains.  And several creek crossings we made.  Since I knew about the creek crossings ahead of time, I wore an old pair of shoes and tramped right through the water.  It was ice cold, delightfully cool splashing against my legs. Running in wet shoes and socks is something you just have to get used to.  Once you do, you don’t even notice discomfort.  (I just didn’t want to put my newer shoes through the shock : )

Trabuco Arroyo Trail creek crossings:

From Trabuco Arroyo Jessica lead us across the highway up another trail that I’ve never run.  She showed us the elevation profile (on her phone) that we’d run so far and it was hard to believe we had already climbed so much.  Sherree laughed and exclaimed, “That’s our elevation profile!!!  I thought that was the stock market!” 

The views of Saddleback Mountains were crystal clear.  The valley views were immense and lush green.  There was more climbing also, which made me a very, very happy gal.  I have become, it seems oddly,  an elevation junkie.  Jessica’s dog ran along side me for much of this climb.  I couldn’t believe what a great trail dog she is!  And a beautiful chocolate brown coat she has!  (I bonded with this pup faster than I have my own new puppy : ( (I still haven’t gotten over the loss of Daisy).

The complete loop back to our cars totaled a little over seven miles.  I headed off for some more miles as these wonderful trail ladies drove off.  I thought that I’d put in about five additional miles, so I headed back to Trabuco Arroyo  for more trails and some more pictures. 

Trabuco Arroyo in its glorious autumn color:

When I hit the sandy trail beneath the toll road, I decided to head back earlier than planned.  As today’s our youngest son’s birthday.  And it’s also my oldest son’s taekwondo long day.  I thought I’d give my husband a break in not having to drive all the boys to taekwondo, and I wanted to say Happy Birthday to our now seven-year-old.

What a joyful run on this cool autumn day.

Happy Birthday Baby!