Trashed

Thursday morning, I ran a usual loop at Aliso / Wood Canyons that’s not so usual anymore.  The run totaled 9.39 miles with 1,186’ of elevation gain.  The weather was cool, brisk actually.  I felt strong at the beginning.  But I was trashed when I finished.  Trashed.

Course:  Aliso Canyon, Wood Canyon, Meadows, Top of the World, West Ridge, Mathis, Wood Canyon, Aliso Canyon

Outwardly Vision

I’m working more hours at the moment, which means some minor lifestyle changes to fit in runs this week.  Otherwise, I will never get to 20 technical miles by the end of January.  And as it's going right now, those chances are looking a little slim.  I’m not exactly up shit-creek.  But I will be if I don’t continue to plug along.  Those lifestyle changes include getting enough rest so that after I drop the boys off to school, I need to run before heading off to work. 

Monday morning was my first go at this.  After dropping the last boy off at school, I drove down to the marina and ran about 4.25 miles.  I felt like a toad, but amazingly, my speed was up a tad (which I need to thank the dreadmill for -- Thank you dreadmill!).  It’s not a pretty sight, these short runs on pavement, in fact, it’s rather excruciating for me with all the people mingling about, no dirt trails and lots of glass to catch a reflection of myself.  Miles go by much slower on pavement than they do on dirt (even though I take trails much slower due to the extensive climbs).  I was not a happy camper -- thus, I did what I could not to zone-in, but instead to zone in on the outwardly.  And the outwardly from my viewpoint down at the harbor was a pleasant sight.

I think this yacht probably has more square feet than my house.

The Headlands:

Tuesday, I didn’t have enough time between drop offs and getting to work.  And I arrived home from work around 9:15 PM, and I don’t run roads under darkness.  So, no run for me.  But today, Wednesday, I headed back down to the harbor again before work.  This time, instead of running in and about the marina, I headed south and took in the beaches.  The first several minutes, probably ten or so, were only slightly less than miserable.  But I kept my outwardly vision, and enjoyed much of my four miles this morning.

The Jetty:

A Different Take on The Same Trail

First things first:  I am so flippin’ happy that we have cold weather once again (and its not really cold, but certainly relatively cold – LOVELY).

Secondly, I did not get out as early as I had wished.  But that is typical – pretty much since my drive went flying out the window a couple years back.  But all was not lost.  Why?  Because we have cold weather once again!  So, I don’t need to get out super early to avoid the heat. Hallelujah.

Being that time was limited, I needed trails with a quick drive so that I could get my run in, and back in time to drive my boys out to Fallbrook.  But since it rained pretty much all day yesterday, our coastal trails were bound to be closed. Therefore, I had two choices (to my liking) with less than an hour drive:  Harding Truck Trail and Santiago Truck Trail, both located in Modjeska Canyon.  Santiago Truck Trail is slightly closer.  I chose that trail, but not because it’s a tad closer.  I chose this trail because I felt I’d probably enjoy it more being that it’s more technical, and seemingly a single track compared to a truck trail. (Parts of Santiago Truck Trail are wide enough for a truck, other parts, it would be a tight squeeze, whereas Harding is all truck trail the whole way – in fact, I’ve driven it).

Right from the start, I saw the trail up ahead crowded with mountain bikers – traffic jam crowded.  Seriously, there had to be 50 bikers (it was surreal!). And being that I needed to use the ladies’ room, I hiked off trail, upward, toward the peaks.  I needed to hike so far off trail before locating said ladies’ room, that I didn’t want to back-track the same distance to return to the trail.  So I decided to hike up the hill some more, hoping that I could find a route back to Santiago Truck Trail. (One thing I hate is backtracking!)

I did not find a route immediately back to Santiago Truck Trail.  But I did find a single-track along the ridge, that took me above and parallel to Santiago Truck Trail.  Eventually, I came upon a cross made of sticks and branches erected above the valley.  And then the trail finally meandered back to Santiago Truck Trail. 

I ran Santiago Truck trail for a bit longer until I found another single track that ascended up to a ridge.  Being that I was on a ridge roll, I took it and ran it back to Santiago Truck Trail once again.  I was able to by-pass all the mountain bikers taking these side trails, and it also gave me ambition to take one last side trail up to a flag high up on a hill (above the vulture crags that I usually run to, where a lower, easily reachable flag flies).  I had noted this one particular flag pole for several years now, oddly, never desiring to make the trek up to it – I suppose because there’s so many other landmarks on Santiago Truck Trail.  But today, I finally got up to it.  The scene was awesome from up there, the flags tattered and torn from the weather.  I really could not have asked for a more beautiful view.

In all, about 6 miles run, approx. 1,100’ elevation gained.

My Own Personal Turkey Trot

Aside from bouts of treadmill torture, I did not get out for my first run this week until Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day.  And what a wonderful day to run.  Sure, it was on pavement, and that put great fear in my heart, as the pavement is not kind to my foot condition.  But the fear was quickly put to bed by the extraordinarily beautiful big, puffy clouds, some of them threatening to storm.  And the streets were so festive, humming with people, all wearing runners bibs for our city’s annual Turkey Trot.  As I ran, I did not spend the time to contemplate all the things that I’m thankful for (though I have lots to be thankful for).  Instead, I merely took in the scenes and ran with a blank mind (only occasionally performing random mathematical equations in my head or typing out strings of gibber on an imaginary keyboard). This is not to say that the short distance I ran was not difficult.  It was difficult.  But the best things are always difficult.  Right?

I ran slightly more than the turkey trot, around 4.10 miles (approximately 6.6 km, whereas the turkey trot is 3.11 miles, or 5 km).  No foot pain whatsoever.  Barely even a limp all day.  That I am truly thankful for, not to mention these gorgeous scenes along the way:

Happy Thanksgiving!