These are a Few of my Favorite Things . . . Wink

I have lots of favorite things in my running repertoire.  For those who follow this trail running blog, you may have noticed that for about a year, I’ve only been seen wearing one hydration pack.  I own three.  The one I can’t do without, recommended by a well-versed trail running friend (Dave), is Ultimate Direction’s Wink.  (Wink is the female version of this pack pictured below and in many of my blogs.)

Back View

Front View

What I love about Wink:

1. It’s comfortable.  With the hydration pack, there’s no weight around my waist (which annoys me with hydration belts).
2. Front pockets.  When I’m running trails I don’t have to take off my Wink for essentials.  I carry phone, camera, chapstick, kleenex, salt tablets, ibuprofen, gels or bars in these front zipper and elastic compartments.  And I could even carry more.
3. Great fluctuation in fit.  I can adjust this pack for when I’m running on hot summer days wearing just one layer, and I can adjust it for a bigger fit on those cold mornings when I’m wearing multiple layers.
4. Lots of back storage.  There’s a mesh outside storage compartment (I usually stuff my sweaty long-sleeved shirt or rain jacket here), plus a small zipper pocket at the top (perfect for ipod).  There’s also two larger zipper portions in the back large enough to hold sunglasses, a full set of keys, bandages, other necessities like gloves, a water bottle and more, not to mention the bladder that holds 64 fluid ounces.
5. Velcro strips for even more storage.  Often I velcro my cap on the back of this pack during those cloudy runs.  Last thing I want is to start out on an overcast day, then find myself beneath the scorching sun with no hat. 
6. Lightweight.  Despite stuffing my Wink to the brim, the weight is situated on my back in such a way, that I barely notice the extra weight.
7. Washes easily.  Believe me, the way I sweat the pack gets quite smelly (don’t mean to be crude, but the truth is the truth).  I throw my Wink into the washer, cold water, delicate cycle and hang it to dry overnight.  It dries very quickly.   A dryer might work, but I don’t dare risk it, because I love my Wink that much.
8. Lots more storage.  There’s a secret velco pouch in the zipped portion, plus strong velcro straps inside areas and even more areas to clip on necessities outside the pack.

Problems:

The only problem I encountered with the Wink was a bladder leak.  Its unique design allows for easy dispersing of air pockets.  At the same time though, there’s a seam that runs up the center.  The top of that seam is where mine sprouted a leak.  My husband cut portions off the top of the bladder and used aquarium glue to repair this leak.  He repaired it twice.  Still, I thought this wasn’t enough.  I wanted a bladder that didn’t leak.

I contacted the retailer where I purchased my Ultimate Direction Wink (Zombie Runner) – once by e-mail and once by phone.  I even personally spoke with someone.  Sadly, (because I really like Zombie Runner) I got no call back, as promised.  And no one returned my e-mail.

Finally I contacted Ultimate Direction.  After minimal work, I got a response.  Not only did I get a brand new bladder in the mail after a few days, but I received a free Ultimate Direction handheld as well. 

The new bladder has a slightly new design, though there’s still that seam up the middle.  I am very happy to report that so far – NO LEAKS. 

Suggestions:

I clip my ipod on the front strap.  But there are trails that I run that I can’t have anything extra hanging off (like earphone cords).  Heavy bushwhacking will rip those earphone cords right off and throw them into the distant brush.  Currently in those cases, I thread earphone cords beneath my shirt.  I would really love a waterproof hole (as much as possible) out of that top back zipper compartment of my Wink to thread my earphones through. 

Overall:

If you don’t get any leaks or at least get a replacement quickly, the cost for this hydration pack (around $90.00) IS WELL WORTH IT.  Seriously.  My Camelbacks cost much less, but they haven’t given me anything near the satisfaction that Wink has.  I love my Wink.

Stay tuned for more of my “favorite things.”

Wearing my Wink (picture below compliments Jeremy H.)  Probably the most commented on picture that I’ve ever posted on my Facebook page.

What to do about Horse Thief Trail–just keep going up it. Face your nemesis, and sooner or later you’ll conquer.

Early to bed, early to rise.  That’s the way I like it.  This morning I drove up Ortega Highway to Blue Jay Campground to meet fellow runner Jeremy.  I would never run the trails up there alone, so I was so happy that Jeremy agreed to accompany me.  I posted the run on the OCTR, but this morning, no other takers.  All you need is two to make a group right?

Right?  The main thing I learned as a young girl in Girl Scouts is the buddy system – always take someone with you.  I don’t always do that in my local hills.  But in the mountains the buddy system in my mind is crucial.  Cougars roam up there!  (The other precious gem I learned in Girl Scouts was, “Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.”)

The weather was overcast.  Delight, delight.  And to my surprise the campground was pretty  crowded.  (Spring break in our parts right now.)  Jeremy showed the way for a quicker route to San Juan Trail that I completely forgot about.  I would have taken us around the long way on PAVEMENT.  Right away on that first trail though, a rocky single track, I actually fell!  The fall really took me by surprise – I was down before I knew I was falling.  I usually don’t fall first thing.  Falls normally happen when I’m super tired or giddy.  Perhaps I was giddy.

I have to go back and research to know for sure.  But I think that’s fall #11.  But it might be more, since I’ve fallen a few times lately after a long sabbatical of no falls.  I don’t recall seeing any other runners on this lovely run.  We saw some hikers (one guy who seemed to eye us suspiciously, like he thought we were a couple of nuts running in the mountains.)  Some dirt bikers plowed up the trails, and we also met a couple of mountain bikers at Trabuco Creek.  Overall, the trails were pretty empty, especially Horse Thief Trail and the Main Divide afterwards. 

The Run elevation profile below:  3,014 feet elevation gain (Horse Thief runs from a little after the 5 mile mark to about 7 miles).

Running, well . . . actually posing on San Juan Creek Trail. 

Running down Trabuco Trail

By the time we reached Trabuco Creek, Jeremy pointed out my knee.  Yikes!  It didn’t look like this after the fall!

Time for a group picture and a hesitant moment before the big climb up Horse Theif.  Notice I’ve taken off my long sleeved shirt.  The climb is really the most difficult I’ve encountered.  Tougher than Bulldog in Malibu Creek Park (though Horse Thief thankfully, is shorter). 

Going Up Horse Thief

At the top at last, running the Main Divide

Pretty yellow flowers alongside the trail – it’s springtime!

Jeremy poses with Lake Elsinore far below

I think, I’m not positive, that Horse Thief was a little easier this time.  One advantage going up today was that the temperatures have lowered and the sun hid behind the clouds.  If only I could get out there once a week to train, I think I’d greatly improve.  Thanks to one brave runner, Jeremy, I was able to get out there and run this morning.  (That’s not to say there’s not lots of brave runners out there, it just takes a lot to get up here, waking early, and a driving a long windy drive up a mountain with other drivers riding your tail to get over the mountain, etc.) 

Quite a run!  Very enjoyable, not to mention tiring.  I call that a plus/plus.  Miles logged:  12

ps.  some of these pictures are courtesy Jeremy, I didn’t mark the exact ones, because I’m so dang tired, happily tired.

Aliso Summit Trail

I got a late start on this HOT morning.  I didn’t hit the pavement until 10:30 or so.  Today’s concoction:  Run out my door to Aliso Summit Trail (which is above Aliso/Wood Canyons Park).  It’s actually the ridge along Aliso Canyon.  I’ve never run Aliso Summit Trail, but knew it existed.  And I have often wondered if I could take it down into the canyon.  More than one person has told me that it’s paved, which kept me away these past couple years. 

My goal today was find a route down to Aliso Creek, cross it, then run up Meadows and then to Top of the World. 

Running the road – I’ve got to run to the top and over the hills ahead to reach Aliso Summit Trail

The climb up Pacific Island was pretty dang hellish.  The sun beamed down.  Cars whizzed by (which I was actually thankful for because of their breeze) and the grade was steep.  I ran up the bike lane.  But those cars drove down so fast, that I often jumped up onto the curb edge that was littered with glass to add an imaginary wall of safety between me and the cars.

I ran the entire road up.  No shade.  But I carried plenty of water on my back.  I think what made that portion of the run bearable was that I ran it with an empty mind.  Really.  I didn’t think about a thing.

Finally Reaching Top of Pacific Island Drive (Notice 7% grade sign in background)

Entrance to Aliso Summit Trail

First off, though the first twenty five feet or so was paved, overall this trail was not paved.  It’s a dirt trail with spectacular views.  At times, the trail is gravel.  And exquisite homes back up against the entire trail.   I ran past two different maintenance crews actually parked on the trail trimming the landscape at the back of these homes.

As a whole, the trail offered very little shade.  Right away, a road runner ran past me.  When I whipped out my camera, I dropped it in the dirt.  Scampering to get a picture of the colorful bird, he ran down the slope before I could.  I also came upon a few hikers and one runner.  All along, I scoured the steep slope for some route down into the canyon.  Though I didn’t see any, I was sure to find one eventually.  I investigated every hint of a trail downward. 

View of Pacific Ocean from Summit Trail (That’s Aliso Beach out there)

California Poppies along the Trail

Aliso Canyon

Well, Aliso Summit eventually dumped me out into a neighborhood.  I picked up the trail again a block away, searching, searching, searching for a way down.  Now way past Meadows Trail, I could see the ranger station, BUT NO WAY DOWN.  My husband had asked me, “Please no ‘cross country’ running today?”  He meant he didn’t want me bushwhacking or sliding down slopes.  I obliged his wishes.

And then.  AND THEN, you will not believe this!  The trail ended at a locked gate.  What is the deal with these trails that end at locked gates?  I was out of water (though I did have some coconut water still in my pack), I was hot and I was fatigued.  There was no way into the gated community.  A single track ran off to the left, which I took with hope in my heart that I’d find a way down to the ranger station, down to shade and water.  I ran that trail (pictured below) to a another dead end, and a slope so steep that I couldn’t rightfully attempt after assuring my husband “no cross country running.” 

I cannot adequately relay how disappointing this was.  I could see the ranger station!  And there was no way I wanted to run the Summit Trail all the way back in that blaring sun with no water (I was saving the small container of coconut water until I was really desperate).  As I ran along the trail, gate after gate into the upscale community was LOCKED.  And then I saw this:

Who’s idea was it to put a sturdy trashcan next to a locked gate??  My Pal – that’s who!

Well, I climbed up onto that trashcan, got on top of that gate and jumped down into the grass on the other side.  I didn’t even fall.

Bye-bye Aliso Summit Trail!

I ran through this gated neighborhood and exited out a gate at the bottom.  Thankfully, from the inside the gate is unlocked.  And then I ran the roads some more while drinking my coconut water.  I ran to the closest shopping center where my husband and two youngest boys were waiting to take this lady crusted in salt to lunch and drive her home. 

Miles logged today:  10

Rating of Aliso Summit Trail:  Thumbs down.

Got to Love an Adventure

Perhaps I am certifiably insane.  Perhaps I’m merely an explorer.  I don’t know.  I just love an adventure and I probably spend too much time on my hair-brained ideas.

Today’s concoction:  Run the bike path (or the riverwalk, as I call it) above San Juan Creek.  But instead of running into the historic district and downtown San Juan Capistrano as I usually do when I run the riverwalk, I planned to turn off and follow the bike trail that I pass over on the freeway almost every day.

So I strapped on my pack full of water and other essentials and headed down the highway.  About a mile in, I realized my hands were empty and I gasped, “I forgot my water!”

Uhhh, Lauren, your water’s on your back. 

Funny how the brain confuses.  I never wear a pack when I run the road.  Today though, I wasn’t sure where I’d end up, so I put on the pack.

I took Sycamore Creek Trail to the “Riverwalk".  No creek runs along this trail.  Though some small Sycamores grow along the side.  Actually, the trail runs through an exercise park with a dozen or so stations along the way.

Exercise, Exercise, Come on Everybody do your Exercise

Running along the “riverwalk” aka bike path – Enjoyable?  Yes.  Hot?  Yes!  The cement path offers very little shade opportunities.  Though the sound of rushing water helped me feel refreshed.

The long, lonely road.  For some reason, just like with trails, I tend to veer to the edge. 

Running beneath the road (Camino Capistrano) meant shade!!  Up head, more shade as I ran beneath the freeway (I-5).

Okay, I didn’t care about the heat about now, because I’m feeling a trail coming on . . .

Ahhhh, yes.  After a quick stop at a water fountain in a park (because I didn’t want to run out of my supply) I happened upon a nice, slightly muddy equestrian trail.  Notice the shade – glorious, glorious shade.  (Today, by the way, was the hottest day in a long time)

I felt good, confident that I knew where I was headed.  My plan: reach a ridge a few miles up. 

There’s only one problem.  I ran this trail until it ended.  I mean ENDED. It ended at the locked gates of the equestrian center on Highway 74.  I couldn’t find any way around it.  And as it was, I was on the wrong side of the creek.  Well, I disobeyed (who me?) the signs that warned to stay on the trail.   There was no way I was turning around and running all the way back.  My plan – cross the creek, or rather creeks at this point and find a trail on the other side.

I crossed the first creek merely submerging my shoes.  The second creek, same thing.  The main creek however flowed rather quickly, and appeared about knee deep.  I scoured the land for a way to cross.  Two ducks swiftly floated by.

When I’d find a trail, I’d take it until I found myself boxed in by shrubbery so thick, I was forced to turn around and take the trail back in search for another trail.  This occurred again and again, the brush was so dense.

Finally I phoned my husband so he could look on the Google Earth and find a way.  He reported that I took the wrong trail – I was on the wrong side of the creek. 

Really?

Noticing mountain lion tracks in the mud (be sure I know my cougar tracks, they are unmistakable once you know them), I told him, I’m just crossing the stream.  “No,” hubby pleaded.  He said that he hated not being there to make sure I didn’t get swept up in the creek.  So while he scoured the satellite maps with the computer freezing up, I talked to him as I crossed the stream.  It wasn’t quite knee deep – I’d say it was 3/4’s calve high.  But it did flow swiftly.  I slipped only once, but made the other side safely.  On the other side – no trails!  Just massive brush.  I ducked beneath branches.  I trampled through poison oak.  Really, I had no choice.  I could see the steep riverbank, but could find no way to it.  Hanging up the phone so that I could concentrate and listen for dangers, I trudged through that stuff knowing I had to get to San Juan Creek Road (according to a very helpful husband who by the way, wasn’t too thrilled about my adventure – but perhaps he’s getting used to this).

Boxed in again.  Ahhh.  Duh!

Finally, I saw the light.  A way up the bank.  I scrambled up that bank to find a massive hunk of thick, knee-high brush.  I plowed my way through that and what do you know!  An equestrian trail!  A lovely, muddy equestrian trail!  Just a little ways a head, I spotted a street sign that read “San Juan Creek Road!” 

When I reached the road, I ran a stretch of pavement with delight in my heart, not to mention flashbacks of those cougar tracks running through my mind. 

Soon I reached the trail I aimed for.  And I ran up to that ridge for a bit of treasure – a view of San Juan Capistrano (I could even see the mission) and behind me, the foothills of The Cleveland National Forest.

I grew extremely fatigued on my (more direct) run back.  At one point, I realized that I would run near our boys’ school about the time my husband picked them up.  (It’s “early out” all week).  So, I put in one more call to cut this run about 3 miles short.  I asked if he could please wait for me and take me home.  My better half offered to better that, and pick me up at my current location.  I insisted that he just wait, perhaps drive up the road from the school and wait for me at the “riverwalk.” 

Turns out, he arrived at the exact same time as I did.  I hopped into the truck, dead-dog tired, happy to see my two youngest, who weren’t so interested in seeing me as they busily planned the rest of their “early-out” day.

Miles logged on this adventure:  11 (though it seemed like so much more!)

To be determined:  status of poison ivy tramping. 

Injuries:  just a few scrapes on the legs.  

ps.  times like this, I feel like the luckiest person on Earth.

pss.  and then I went to work, the students were wonderful, except for one exceptional student I had to “yell down,” and threaten he was out of the program unless he turned in some work today (this after he called me a liar!).  Needless to say, he turned in some work.  And though he still thinks I hate him.  I don’t.  (I could have booted him after the “liar” comment.  But I just don’t have the heart).  Okay, is that TOO MUCH INFO???

It’s so hard to watch people with “talent” for lack of a better word, to waste it.  I on the other hand have no such “talent” (except to be freakishly organized and feel unorganized), but I make do.  And so can you!