Breakfast at “Four Corners”

I got my once-a-week-mountain-run in this morning bright and early.  Well, not that early.  I started off up Maple Springs at 7:00 AM.  Still, I was the only one on the road for some time.  The weather was cool.  The skies were blue.  All ideal for a time in the mountains.  I originally decided to set out for an eighteen mile loop often referred to as “The Silverado Loop.”  It gets really nasty after mile 8 due to HOT, exposed, uphill trails.  But a mile into my loop, the battery on my garmin died.  Doh!!!  I didn’t want to make that trip without my security blanket, my sweet, sweet garmin.  So I began stashing my extra water as I made my way up Maple Springs for a fifteen mile out-and-back instead.

I saw a couple of these little guys along the way:

I didn’t run up that mountain quickly at all.  In fact, I met a two hikers again and again on my giant switch-back, as they made their way straight up the mountain, bushwhacking their way.  I didn’t stress over my inability to pick up my feet any quicker however.  I enjoyed the the lush mountainsides and little creatures along the way. 

I arrived at “Four Corners” quicker than I figured I would.  And I thought to myself, “I can do the loop.  I can, I can!!”  But alas, I had already stashed my extra water on Maple Springs.  I didn’t dare make my trip across the “desert” without reserves.  “Four Corners,” by the way, is a junction of four trails: 1) Maple Springs, the trail that I came up, originating in Silverado Canyon, 2) Harding Truck Trail, a 9 mile uphill battle beginning in Modjeska Canyon, 3) The Main Divide heading north (I think) and 4) The Main Divide heading off toward Modjeska and Santiago Peaks.

View from “Four Corners”:

My breakfast at “Four Corners”:

In all I travelled fifteen miles during this wonderful mountain out-and-back.  The back was all downhill, with plenty of wishes at my disposal along the way.

Crazy Crawdads

This morning the skies were gray, the air wet, the breeze cool.  I climbed the steepest trail (Mentally Sensitive) and it did a great job of clearing my mind.

Happy to overcome Mentally Sensitive:

I found a new trail behind the park at The Top of the World.  Of course, I HAD TO investigate.  It was a short trail, .15 of a mile, with vast views and wooden tables with three bench seats each, placed periodically along the edge. 

Newfound Trail:

When I ran down Mathis Trail on my way back into Wood Canyon, I stopped by the creek for a look at my crawdad friends.  Surprisingly, I didn’t see any in the pool.  Simply standing there, I focused on my surroundings, for no particular reason.  I wasn’t tired.  I wasn’t thinking.  I was just taking in my world when I noticed the crawdads.  They were climbing up the rocks, in the algae and rushing water.  Crazy crawdads!  I have no idea what they were doing.  Lots of guesses, but I haven’t Googled it yet. 

The Stream Crossing at the bottom of Mathis Trail:

Crawdads struggling against the current:

Then I ran into Wood Canyon for a cool relaxing run back to the truck.  I passed a blue heron on the way.  He stood like a statue as I ran by rather closely.  In all I covered 11.12 miles, happily.

Wood Canyon, going home:

No Matter What, Do Not Open That Door!”

Do you remember the scene from the American movie Young Frankenstein, when the doctor says, “No matter what, DO NOT OPEN THAT DOOR!”?  “No matter how much I scream and beg, do not open it!”  The next scene Dr. Frankenstein was banging on the door, “Please, please open the door!  Forget what I said before.  I was only joking!!!”

This morning I remembered that scene (actually I remember that scene often, as it is so reminiscent of life).  Anyway, I told my husband last night, “When my alarm goes off, do not let me go back to sleep – kick me out of bed!  I WANT TO RUN.” 

Thing was, after I said this, I tossed and turned for an hour last night, anxious where I might run in the mountains without several downhill miles.  Why?  My ankle.  I feel asleep unresolved where I would run.  Good news was, I had money for gasoline. (Hip-hip-hooray!!)

My phone alarm rang at 4:00 AM, and though I was awake and ready, I didn’t want to drive an hour for a mountain run.  I didn’t think my foot could hack it.  So, I set my alarm for a later time and tried, tried to fall back asleep.  Remember, I told my husband not to let me fall back to sleep?  He is such a good hubby, my biggest supporter.  And he stayed true to his word.  HE WOULD NOT LET ME GO BACK TO SLEEP.  He took away my blankets.  He groped me (I know T.M.I. ); he wasn’t going to let me out of this.  I was going to run DANG IT.

“NEVERMIND,” I said.  “I didn’t mean it!  REALLY.  I WAS JOKING!!!  Seriously.  I WAS JOKING.”

Finally, I headed out to the living room, plopped myself onto the couch with the cellphone by my side.  My dedicated husband came out to cover me with a blanket and shut the windows.  Thing was, it was 4:15 AM, and I was wide awake! 

I tossed and turned again, then finally rose from the couch.  That’s when I made a 2-cup pot of coffee, got dressed and decided I would eventually open the front door.  First however, I would toss ideas in my head, for a couple hours, how I would manage this. 

I packed a full bladder of fluids, deciding that I would run around 14 miles.  but not in the mountains.  I was pretty certain that I would re-injure my ankle on long technical down hills.  Coastal hills it was.  So fearful of a chronic injury, I wrapped my ankle in a corset.  Not one like this (I wish!):

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59800644/in-bloom-ankle-corsets-tatted-lace?ref=shop_home_feat

No, my ankle corset was this:

I took off on Aliso Creek Trail before the wilderness park even opened.  Funny thing was, I took off exactly the same time as three other male runners.  One of them looked just like my running friend Tom B., whom I have not run with in over a year – well since he ran the Mexico Copper Canyon 50 miler (Born to Run).  I kept up with the trio for a while, but had to stop and readjust the corset.  It felt too thick beneath my heal, causing discomfort.  About then a few cyclists rode past me on this cool, overcast morning.  As I began “The Big Loop,” I really thought I could do it. 

Along the way I ran up on 3 deer:

I ran into Wood Canyon feeling okay, glad that I opted for short sleeves.  Even though the weather was overcast and breezy, the air was humid.  I ran Meadows Trail completely, utterly (& happily) alone.  And I recalled the first time I ever ran trails solo.  It was this very same wilderness park.  And I was scared out of my mind.  Today, I felt no fear.  I just ran, fully aware of my surroundings, and fully aware that my pace waned. 

I joyfully marched up Mentally Sensitive.  It’s a bear of a climb, but a delightful climb when I can hack it.  (And I can always hack it, just sometimes better than others).

Caught without a smile!  I thought I’d post this one, because my running pals think I’m always smiling on the trail – I tell them it’s because I’m the one who holds the camera!  When I press “click,” I smile.   I’m almost finished with the toughest part of Mentally Sensitive here.  And though I’m not full of laughter, I’m lovin’ it. (And it’s not even 8AM on a Saturday!)

Taking a look back on the climb up Mentally Sensitive:

As I ran toward Top of the World, I knew I would need to make a decision.  Should I run my 14 mile loop?  My right ankle had no spring to it whatsoever.  As I ran along the ridge, I stopped to change out my corset for a looser ankle brace.  I hoped this would bring some of the spring back.  This it did not.  

Goats along the ridge:

I managed to gain on the runner ahead of me.  He ran the hill toward Top of the Word in a switch-back fashion.  I did so by running straight up the hill (which I can do now with many miles of practice).  He kind of chuckled when we met.  “Good job,” he said, I’m sure noticing my brace. 

Even with the looser brace, my ankle felt wrong.  Still, I could NOT pick up my pace.  That caused some minor aggravation beneath my hot breath.  How important is mileage right now? I asked myself.  

Breakfast at Top of the World Café (You supply the food, water supplied by fountains):

Heading down West Ridge on the loop back:

I made my decision at the Mathis / West Ridge intersection to  cut my loop short.  My ankle without spring began to ache.  And I knew that I was going to put in too many hours for my 14 mile loop.  And so I headed down Mathis in a leisurely manner instead of running all of West Ridge down to Wood Canyon. 

About a quarter mile down, I saw a blonde man raise his arms and yell out “Lauren!”  Baffled at first, it took me a few seconds and a peer at those perfectly formed teeth to realize this runner was Tom B!  The very same runner that I thought I recognized at the start of this morning’s run.  The very same running friend that I would not have crossed paths with if my ankle didn’t cause me problems.  Imagine that! 

I stopped at chatted with Tom, enthused by his enthusiasm.  I learned more about his sandals and saw that he was wearing pair.  I couldn’t help but think my ankle and feet would be better off in them and out of the constraints I had put them in.  As soon as I have more cash than enough to get me to the trails, I’m going to buy me a pair, even if it’s just for walking around. (Tommie’s Toes).   

The trip down Mathis:

Even after the lifter from seeing an old friend (not as in “old age”), I still could not gather the strength to increase my pace.  My pace in fact down Mathis Trail was ridiculously slow for me.  Down hill did me no good today.  Ends up the last .75 miles in to the Ranger Station, I hiked.  I watched my pace and tried to increase it in on the hike.  Amazingly, my hiking pace was quicker than my somewhat lame running pace.

Here’s a final foot pose, using the model (childish) foot pose I’ve noticed on websites.  Apparently when one poses feet, you hold your feet at an awkward, childish pose.  LOL:

The Gain:

New Goal Late in the Game for 2012

Still not training, still resting while running.  I plan to continue my “rest” until early December.  Some will wonder how I can rest and run.  It’s fairly simple.  I’m running trails merely for the sake of running trails.  I have no other goals, but to enjoy.  I don’t care whether I run them slowly, whether I feel weak or strong.  I don’t care about negative splits.  I just want to enjoy the trails. 

Yesterday it dawned on me that I was less than 200 hundred miles from hitting 2,000 miles this year.  While deciding on a year-end mileage goal, I settled on 2,012 miles for 2012.  Being that the goal is less than 200 miles away, it’s a doable goal, even while “resting.”

This morning it was a usual routine for me.  Being that the boys (and myself) are on Thanksgiving break (an entire week), I decided to wake early for a run.  I woke to my 5:30 AM alarm, pushed the snooze button on my phone, turned over and slept until my alarm sang out once again.  Then I walked out to the living room, cuddled up on the couch and fell back asleep. 

I finally woke at 8:00 AM and was out the door driving to Aliso/Wood Canyons at about 8:30.  The trails were full of mountain bikers.  I saw runners mainly on the asphalt portion of Aliso Creek Trail.  The skies were gray, the weather pleasurably cool. 

Stretching out extremely tight calves in Wood Canyon (sure I’m still a little sleepy & OH BOY, do I need a haircut!!):

Entering Meadows Trail:

I turned onto Meadows Trail for a clockwise short-ish loop to the Top of the World and around back through Wood Canyon.  I kind of lost myself in the trail and found myself looking down as I ran.  I try never to look down because it makes difficult for a straight column.  I know, it’s difficult not to sometimes look down on trails, especially on technical trails.  Even then, I tend to look out, always a few steps ahead – kind of like a chess game, always thinking a few moves ahead.

Anyway, I was running, looking to the dirt with no thought, nothing going on in my mind.  I was just “being.”  Then suddenly I looked up and saw that I was about to crash into two deer.  No lie!!  They were on the trail feeding on brown grass along the trail’s edge just a few feet away.  This seemed to occur in slow motion, but really only a couple seconds passed.  It’s as if the animals didn’t notice me until I noticed myself.  When I became aware, they became aware.  I scrambled for my camera, they looked up,  and if I could read their minds and they thought human thoughts, I would say they thought, “Oh crap, it’s a human!”  And they ran off.

I caught a photo of them as they ran off:

And then I turned a bend in the trail and saw a buck and two more does:

Running up Meadows, a biker to pass (& I did):

About to clear Meadows Trail (Whew!):

A stainless steel home at Top of the World, a lovely home, but I can’t help but think about ALL THE FINGERPRINTS, and constantly wiping them down:

Running down Mathis Trail:

Mathis on a beautiful day as the gray clouds depart for lofty white clouds and blue skies:

Running the final stretch, I ran a short detour to catch a look at some historic farm equipment (a harvester):

Ouch

The aftermath this morning from yesterday’s trail running “mishap” (fall) was greater than I expected.  Perhaps the heat exhaustion added to my overall sense of health.  Overly fatigued this morning when I woke at 6 AM, the entire right side of my body ached, especially my right butt cheek.  I found yet another pebble in my elbow, but overall, the wounds on my elbow and legs cleaned up well.  It doesn’t look nearly as bad as yesterday, but I ache.  My elbow aches, my knee aches.  So does my shin, and my entire right arm, and a tad bit of my left arm.  . 

I took two ibuprofen and went about my morning chores – making breakfasts, packing lunches, getting the boys off to school.  The weather was cool and the air wet, the skies gray.   I rushed back home to do some laundry and clean the kitchen.  Then I was off.  Off to the trails at Aliso/Wood Canyons.   I had ten miles on the agenda, and I wanted to get them done in this cool weather.  Only thing was, a few miles inland and the skies were blue and the sun beamed down pretty harshly. 

That’s okay.  I could deal.  I can deal with just about anything.  Dang it!

Well, I sweated profusely as I ran through Aliso Canyon, then into Wood Canyon.  I took Meadows Trail which is now completely brown with a few yellow flowers dotting the landscape.  On the way, I was oh so fortunate to come across a little red weasel as he poked his head out of his ground hole.  He seemed to look at me with curiosity.  We made eye contact and he darted back down beneath the ground.

I opted to climb the hardest trail in the park (Mentally Sensitive) because I only have two “hard” weeks remaining.  It was pretty hellish.  Perhaps I am too harsh.  I enjoyed the climb, really.  I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t enjoy something truly hellish.  It was rather good “hard fun.”  : )  Best of all, when I reached the top, I was back in the cool, wet clouds. 

Tomorrow, I rest.

Not really.  I’ve got tons of chores to do, especially with all the miles I’ve got stacked up for the weekend.  But I rest from running.

Overall, despite my “mishap,” today was a success on the trails.

Thanks for reading!

 Meadows Trail (I’m aiming for those clouds ahead):

Climbing Mentally Sensitive (with a cheerful heart & so much sweat that I thought my pack was leaking):

Top of Mentally Sensitive, notice Santiago Peak in distant background:

Greetings from Top of the World (once again):

Today’s profile:

Just Run

Thursday, I planned a 6 mile run for “easy” week.  Ended up, I’ve had “issues” at home regarding my running, because I’m having to put in afternoon runs (& they noticed that).  I drove home perturbed instead.  When I arrived home, the two family members that complain most about my running time said, “What are you doing here?  YOU NEED TO TRAIN!”  I told them I changed my mind (grudgingly inside.)  I didn’t want to throw the guilt trip.  What I really want is for my family to not resent running time.  So, I made everyone lunch, did chores, etc., etc.  “The Two” were waiting for my wrath.  But really, I just changed my mind and decided not to run (wink, wink).

Friday, today was a planned rest day.  Being that I’m out all day tomorrow and I didn’t work today, I decided to go ahead and run early this morning (I woke at 5AM).  But, I decided NOT to train.  Instead, I just ran.  I didn’t aim for a negative split, I didn’t throw in sprints.  I did not try to maintain a certain pace, nor did I aim for a particular finishing time.  Nope, I just ran.  And I played a bit too. 

When I pulled up to Aliso/Wood Canyons, I did not see a person in sight.  Nor did I see any cars.  Quite unusual.  I took off on the trails, the lonely, beautiful trails, breaking spider webs along the way.  I noticed hundreds of pill bugs (aka sow bugs) in the dirt.  I’d never noticed that before.  But I didn’t want to stop to take a picture because I JUST WANTED TO RUN.  I had a lot of negative feelings to shake.  However, eventually I couldn’t resist the camera and stopped to take a picture of this little guy (not the rabbit up the trail, but the adorable weasel in the right forefront of this picture):

I chose to run up Mentally Sensitive.  Why?  Mentally Sensitive is my “shake off those negative feelings,” hill.  I ran a bit up Meadows first, which is a brown meadow now.  Still, not a person in sight. 

Running Meadows making my way toward Mentally Sensitive:

Now, from the elevation profile below, Mentally Sensitive might look impossible.  Remember the profile doesn’t show the actual landform.  Instead, it represents the “slope.”  It merely shows the vertical elevation gained over a certain distance.  So, it always looks worse than it actually is.

As you might agree, the pictures below of the Mentally Sensitive Trail don’t look quite as awful as the elevation profile below:

The kicker is, once you reach the top of Mentally Sensitive, turn right and run off to Top of the World.  I turned left first, did some bushwhacking and ran into a city park.  I did a little playing here with some swing time.  So tempted was I to jump off the swing in motion like I used to as a child.  But I feared my pack would get hung up in the chains and I would end up injured.  I.  Don’t.  Want.  An.  Injury.

Swing Time:

After swing time, I ran off toward Top of the World.  About this time I started seeing hikers.  A little later, runners were hitting the trails.  I took all the little detours for more elevation.  Then while running West Ridge, I noticed some animals off in the far distance.  I thought horses at first.  Then realized they were too slender and not quite tall enough.  Then I thought dogs, from my estimate something like Great Danes.  West Ridge is the only trail here where dogs are allowed.  Anyway, I hesitated thinking that possibly three big dogs roamed West Ridge without an owner.  Upon closer inspection, I realized they were deer.  I have never seen deer on West Ridge.  Ever!  I managed to get amazingly close to the deer when my battery camera died.  But tada, I had a back up – my phone!  And so snap, I caught them just as they meandered off up the trail ahead of me. 

What an awesome “Just Run,” non-training run this morning, measuring 13.26 miles according to my garmin.  (approximately 21.34 km)

Thanks for reading!  And happy running or hiking or cycling to you this weekend.