Harding Hustle – A Volunteer’s Report

I woke at 3 AM and am so tired as I write this blog entry.  So, I’ll try & make this brief.  Today, I volunteered for the Harding Hustle, an out-and-back up Harding Truck Trail (approx. 30k) trail race.  I caught the shuttle (school bus) at 4:40 AM and helped with the pre-race things, bibs, late registrants etc.  Saw some people I knew.  And met some people I only “knew” by their blogs.  One of the volunteers was Catra (Dirt Diva).  I also met for the first time, bloggers Billy (L.A. Runner), Glenn (Running Fat Guy – who wasn’t by the way, fat) and Greg (I Run, Therefore . . . I’m Thirsty) (Wait, I met Greg at Twin Peaks briefly).

Harding Hustle Shuttle

Volunteers:  Andy, Catra and wife of runner (sorry, can’t remember everyone’s names : (

Runners:  Unknown, Dave, Morgan

Race Director, Jessica Deline gives race directions

They’re Off!

And then it was quiet. Really quiet.   I got a massage while waiting for the first numbers to start coming in over the radio.  It was a chilly morning.  I walked a bit up Harding Truck Trail to catch a bit it in photos.  After the numbers rolled on in from the turnaround, we knew about when the front runners would start coming in.  So, I took another little walk up Harding Truck Trail for a look.  There was not a runner in sight.  About to give up and turn around, I saw a flash of red coming around the corner.  There he was, the first place runner, flying down truck trail.  He was amazing. 

After that the runners began dwindling in, and I wished I could have watched every single one of them cross the finish line – it was that exciting.  I called out times for the volunteer recording them.  I handed out medals. But I had to climb on the first bus back (about 9:45) and get home.

So dead-dog-tired (and I didn’t even run!), I walked in through the front door, said, “Good morning, I love you,” and then me and my husband said “good-night,” at the exact same time.  My youngest boy roared with laughter at that as I walked straight to my room, crawled beneath the covers and tried to sleep.  I got about an hour of sleep in.  And now I must sign off, because I can barely even think.

Fun, fun day though. 

Harding Truck Trail

Flowers Along the Trail

On my little walk along Harding during the quiet time

First Place (I believe, just a little over 2 hours!!)

Finisher Medals

More Runners Cross the Finish Line

Resting Up (notice massage tables in background, they fill up by the time I leave)

Technorati Tags: Harding Hustle

Cool Evening Summer Runs

If you read this blog occasionally you know that I am a morning runner.  Not today.  With the boys home from school, and me working some mornings, I need to fit in runs when I can.  And when I could today, was tonight.  This evening I ran my short run down at the marina. Restaurant lights glistened on the ocean waters which were gently rippling against a cool breeze.  Diners who had too much to drink walked zig-zaggedly  along the walkways.  A man, seemingly older than myself, taller, and quite "manly" looking walked about in a denim mini skirt while two of those diners feeling free and easy, giggled loudly behind him.  Roller bladers without gear whizzed by as I ran off of the island toward the cliffs where sadly too many people around here dive off to end it all.  Waves crashed violently, yet beautifully against the rocks there.  Young children screamed in delight as they tried to outrun the spray.

I went back and forth between taking in the ocean's supremacy, the breeze, the music, to thinking about all the things I have to do.  I refuse to think about all the things I need to do when I run, because it can overwhelm me.  When "the list" popped in my head tonight, I took my imaginary bat and hit it out of the ballpark.  Success.

Wonderful run tonight.  Total miles 5.25. 

Clockwise on the Big Loop in Aliso / Wood Cyns

I dreamt a crazy dream, of pouring rain, flooded trails, quicksand and powers from another world snatching the best and brightest people, mostly children from Earth.  I stood off to the side of the flood hollering to children not to step on the sandbars as they escaped the “aliens” and the flood.  I remember “they” took all the children from one school as they received their Perfect Attendance Awards.  And I knew for some reason, “they” wanted these children not because they were the smartest, but because of their perseverance to attend every single day of school.

I really dreamt this.

ANYWAY, this morning the air was heavy-laden with moisture.  The streets were wet, the skies gray, large drips fell from tree leaves.  After driving my wrecked car back to the shop, I picked up my rental and headed off to Aliso / Wood Canyons for another big loop run – this time clockwise.  That meant running UP Meadows Trail (Oh my!).  But it also meant getting the hardest climbing done with first.  And that’s a good thing. : )

Running Meadow’s flat portion, approaching the climb (I can’t even see Top of the World) 

I found running UP Meadows extremely difficult.  Visibility was maybe a tenth of a mile – seriously.  That’s kind of neat and all, but on a climb like Meadows, I found it mentally difficult, because I wasn’t ever quite sure how much longer I had to run before reaching the top.  And another thing – the dirt was wet, which didn’t exactly make mud.  It made clay.  Nothing like running a single track, switchback for a mile long incline with Frankenstein feet.  That’s how much clay clung to my shoes.  My feet were heavy (more so than usual).

I stopped once to remove the mud/clay from my shoes.  But it wasn’t ten seconds later that clay covered them again.  So I gave up on the removal plan and just kept on running to the top. 

Soaking wet, not from rain, but from sweat and the moisture in the air, I reached Top of the World triumphantly.  Not sprinting, not beaming with a smile, but victorious. 

Frankenstein Feet

 Top of the World (Ocean behind me – Really!)

I found this run much less stressful, more enjoyable than my counter-clockwise run last Tuesday.  Perhaps I was more rested today.  Perhaps it was the better mood.  Or maybe it was just the plain fact that I ran the hardest, steepest climb first.  I finished up at the ranger station feeling pretty good, thinking I did have a chance to get myself in shape enough for Bulldog (Malibu Creek 50k) by the end of August.

Heading down Westridge on my way to Cholla Trail

 Homeward bound / Wood Canyon, on a fairytale trail

Miles logged this morning:  11.65

Technorati Tags: Trail Running,Cholla Trail,Westridge,Wood Canyon,Aliso and Wood Canyons,Top of the World

Happy 4th of July Run

I planned on a 7 AM quick hilly run around town.  I slept in until almost 9 AM!  Wow.  That is a rarity, and a fine rarity at that.  It is the Fourth of July after all.  I finally laced up my shoes and ran out the door at 11 AM, happy to get in a run around town.  Why happy (because lately that has been a rarity too)?  Because I knew it would be easy, because even though I mapped out the most hilliest (is that a word) route possible, this was a road run.  For some reason, even with steep grades, running the road is so much easier for me than running a trail, with even a mild grade.  I figure the road is easier because the sidewalk is smooth, not rocky, and basically level horizontally (from side to side).  Therefore, I don't need as much strength to stay upright (as opposed to flat on my face).

Great run.  Sunny warm skies; the air smelled of BBQ's.  Only thing was, so giddy to get out the door and run, I forgot my hat, my sunglasses and water, chapstick, and not to mention sunscreen.  (I of course remembered my ipod -- NEVER forget the music).  Don't do that; don’t forget the water especially.  Especially in July.  Especially around noon.  I ran a few detours, one into an Albertson's store for the drinking fountain in their stockroom and the other into a Taco Bell to drink from their bathroom sink faucet. : )

In all I ran 5.76 happy miles.  After a bbq dinner at home, the whole family  walked over to a bluff park a few blocks away to watch fireworks.  And I learned today after looking at the pictures tonight, that I look EXACTLY like my mother.  That's not a bad thing.  It's just a fact.  But it's a little weird noticing it.  : )

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Emerald Canyon

“Pain or damage don’t end the world.  Or despair, or f****** beatings.  The world ends when you’re dead.  Until then, you got more punishment  in store.  Stand it like a man . . . and give some back.”

Al Swearengen (Deadwood)

Somewhere along the line, I seemed to have lost my training.  I thought it was the car accident, but really, it’s been seeping away for a while.  In fact, it seems to have happened when I vowed to get stronger.  The more strength training I do, the weaker I feel.  And when I run lately, especially with this lingering ache (& lingering depression)  from the accident, I AM TIRED.

(I do have a doctor’s appointment set up for early next week for the ache, hopefully that will help with the depression as well.)

And so, the story of this morning’s run is one of lagging, feeling like I have no groove.  On the good side, I ran with two OCTR friends, Sheila and Tom.  We began on an uphill along Bommer ridge in Irvine, then made our way down into a gorgeous, overgrown Emerald Canyon.  Along the way, we spooked a bobcat, who simply stood on the trail and stared us down for a bit before taking off. 

Emerald Canyon dead-ends at the back of the Emerald Bay Community in Laguna Beach.  After a quick break, we headed back for a nice long run UP to the ridge (though the beginning climb was not so bad).  We turned off onto the Old Emerald Falls trail, I believe, another wonderful single track – love those single tracks.  And at one point, I recall Tom mentioning that we were running along another trail named “Fence Line.”

As tired, and as defeated that I’ve felt lately, I have to say that I’d do today’s run again.  And again, and again, and again . . .

 Heading down to Emerald Canyon? Or is this Bommer Ridge?

 Bushwhacking thru overgrown single track

 Canyon Walls

 Begins to look like a another world, the deeper we get into the canyon

 

Heading back up, stopping to snap a photo of this giant Dudleya brittonii (a nice excuse to rest : ) 

Almost to the top (looking back)

Miles logged Saturday morning:  10.1

Borrowed from Tom (I hope he doesn’t mind : > ) / Our route in blue

Technorati Tags: Bommer Ridge,Emerald Canyon,Emerald Falls Trail,Fence Line Trail,El Moro,Crystal Cove,Trail Running

All Alone in Aliso / Wood Canyons

I went for a solo run in the wilderness this morning.  The air was so heavy with water, one might have said it was raining. The skies were gray, the marine layer thick. A perfect day for a gloomy run.

Feeling weak both physically and mentally lately (especially after the car accident), I needed this run.  I didn’t feel like making this run, that’s why I did it solo.  I didn’t want to hold anyone back.  It’s time though, time to get back on track

Me at the start of Aliso Canyon Trail (not too cheery)

I chose the loop that took me to the end of Wood Canyon, up Cholla Trail, across the ridge to Top of the World where I met Meadows Trail to take it on down.   Slow to start, and slow to end, I just ran.  And I ran, and I ran and I ran . . .  (and I took a few pictures too).

Running in Aliso Canyon on this Eerie Morn’

First Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon (no wet feet on this trail)

2nd Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon

 

Everything was beautiful right away today, despite the gloom.  I mostly thought about nothing, occasionally fighting against intruding thoughts.  And then I turned a bend in the trail (past the old corral, before the 3rd creek crossing) and there they were – two deer feeding on the grass.  They didn’t move, one continued grazing, the other trotted across the trail to graze further away.  I’m still astonished when I come upon deer on the trail.

Beauties

3rd Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail

Solitude & Beauty (a nice combination)

4th & Final Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail (standing on pipe, sandbags off to left)

A Quick look back on Wood Canyon while running up Cholla Trail

A Foggy Westridge & not a soul around

Looking down on Laguna Canyon Road, the Pacific Ocean hidden

Heading down Meadows Trail

Back in the Canyon

Miles logged:  11.74

Thoughts:  close to zero

Rewards:  lots