One Day Remains, 15.23 Miles To Go

Day Six 100 Mile Week Celebration/Challenge: 84.77 Miles Run

I cannot adequately describe how utterly fatigued I am.  People ask me if my legs are tired.  No they aren’t tired.  My arms are tired though.  My eyes are tired.  My shoulders are tired.  My ankles ache.  And I think I may have broken my toe (though it has vastly improved, so I could be wrong).  My neck is tired.  My voice is tired.  And my brain is tired.  I. Am. Tired.

I didn’t begin the 6th day of my 7 day running celebration/challenge like this.  I began it with a throbbing headache, runny nose, sore throat and cough.  After rushing around getting the first two boys to their schools, I took a shot of “severe cold and cough medicine.”  The only kind we had in the house was the “nighttime” formula.  And I use the words “took a shot” because it tasted awful, much like downing a shot of whiskey (yuk).  LOL.  Yes, I am a bit off, I think.  I did though feel a lot better.  I’m sure it didn’t help in the “tired” category.

After dropping my kindergartner off to school, I literally began my run from his classroom door.  Leaving the car in the school lot, I ran to the river walk and headed to the beach.

Day Six, Raring to Run

Amazingly, my body felt good running.  I was hoping to get a big push on mileage so that day 7 would be a short run.  The weather was cool, though I warmed up pretty quickly.  I tried not to think about anything, especially the end.  Except occasionally, looking at my mileage was forbidden.  I didn’t want to stress.  I just wanted to run. 

And run I did, snapping a few photos here and there.  And I even saw a high school friend Andy  as I headed back.  What a great pleasure it is to see old friends (we didn’t grow up in The O.C., but live a couple blocks from each other now).  Anyway, I stopped for a moment and talked quickly, as I was losing my voice and I had to get back to school.

I thought I might run twice today to make up mileage.  As it was, after picking up boys one and two (hubby picked up boy three), I threw myself into bed.  There I slept and tossed and turned for more than three hours. 

Miles logged today:  13.80

Views Along The Way:

I call that a low, low, low rider

Running Beneath Highway One Into Doheny Beach

Kind of Striking a Pose at the Marina

Turn Around Point / The Jetty

Less Than 30 Miles To Go!

Day Five 100 Mile Week Celebration/Challenge: 70.97 Miles Run

I woke this morning with a worsened cold.  But I still cleaned the kitchen, got those lunches packed and did some laundry.   Then as I rushed out the door to meet two running friends, I grabbed my cell phone to call Sheila and confirm our run.  Well, with no glasses, I scrolled to the “S’s” in my address book and “dialed.”  (I can’t read without glasses!)  A man answered.  No biggy; I thought he was her husband.  “Is Sheila there?” 

“Wrong Number,” he said. 

I was in a rush.  I laughed and said, “Okay, I know you because you’re in my address book.  But I gotta go.  Sorry.”

“Lauren?” the man on the other end said.

“Yes.  Who’s this?” 

“Shane.”

SHANE IS MY BROTHER.  L . . . O . . . L

That is how whacked I am right now.  I don’t even recognize my own brother’s voice!  My husband and oldest son got a good long laugh over this one. (It’s good to make your family laugh, don’t you think?)

I made it to Aliso/Wood Canyons in time to meet friends Sheila and Kelly, and they joined me for the big loop – the CLOCKWISE LOOP, which means running UP Meadows (that’s the ridiculously steep hill from my “timed loop” mentioned in several blogs.)

Me, Sheila and Kelly about to take off through Aliso Canyon

Surprisingly, I was able to do this 11+ mile loop without dropping dead to the ground.  Thankfully, the skies were overcast and the air was heavy with moisture.  The run through Wood Canyon on the way back was delicious with a lovely cool breeze.  But that last .75 miles on pavement coming into the ranger station was tortuous.  I was so dog-gone tired.  But that wasn’t the end for me.  When the ladies left, I had planned on another 4 miles since I had more time. 

Running along West Ridge Trail (All the major uphills finished!)

As I mentioned, that last 3/4 mile I felt like I couldn’t run another step.  Running into the finish nearly breathless, I exclaimed, “I AM SOOO TIRED.” 

“You know what I do when I’m really tired?”  Kelly had a serious look to her face.  I thought she was going to give me a good tidbit. 

“What?” I eagerly asked.

She smiled.  “I RUN FOUR MORE MILES!!!”

Well, that set me off with a good laugh.  Sheila sent me off with “You’re a rock star,” but I knew that she could have run those extra miles too. 

What a great pleasure to have company on this morning’s run.

And then I set off running again.  I wanted 15 for today, so I ran across the street into another park.  I simply ran glancing at the garmin, and when it read 2 miles, I turned around and ran back for a total mileage of 15.55 miles today.

The park across the street (I’ve never run this park before today)

There’s those birds again (above).  Magical, I tell ya.  Magical.

About 29 miles remain and just two busy days to run them. 

Magical Birds

Day Four of 100 Mile Week Celebration/Challenge: 55.42 Miles Run

Today has been the most difficult to fit in a run for my 100 mile week.  Early morning (6AM), I scrambled to wash dishes, do laundry, make lunches.  My husband said that I was on a “mission” and didn’t need to do these other things.  I imagined an entire room full of dirty laundry after 4 days neglecting it. 

As soon as I could I drove straight to the harbor, and ran up to the minute that I needed to leave and pick up our youngest son (actually I left about 5 minutes to spare so that I could stretch).

Not only was today the most difficult to fit time-wise.  But today was the most difficult to start running period.  I was dragging with this nagging cold.  And as I set off running those first steps, I thought, “OH, MY, MY, MY what the hell am I doing???  I felt so sluggish I figured I’d be lucky to get in 6 miles today.  Glancing at the garmin I noticed my pace was thirteen minutes on a flat surface!  I simply wanted to fall to the ground.  I never thought, “I can’t”, but I sure FELT IT. 

After running the wharf, I ran over the bridge to the island.  And I stopped momentarily to take a picture of these two magnificent birds at the 2 mile mark:

I think that they were magical birds because when I took off running, I FELT BRAND NEW.  My pace picked up, and I was no longer fatigued.  I enjoyed myself in the cool ocean breeze, wishing I had more hours to squeeze in more miles.  I felt so energized I could actually focus on form.

A happy, happy runner at about mile 5

Capo Beach – a few miles before I have to stop.  Total Miles today:  12.57

Decision Time

Day Three of 100 Mile Week Celebration/Challenge: 42.85 Miles Run

Off again for another run, heading toward that 100 mile week.  I started off tired.  And upon taking off, I honestly thought, “I just can’t run today.”  At .90 of a mile, I felt like my old self – enjoying the run.  But I did learn today that it’s time to decide.  Do I want to run 100 miles this week?  Or do I want to explore run, like I so much love to do.  I can’t do both.  I just don’t have the time.

 

This cool, nearly chilly morning, I took off onto the river walk again.  This time though, instead of crossing the bridge, I headed off along the west side of the creek where it splits.  Just what is it that I’m looking for?  Well, I once heard that I could run trails from the beach to the mountains, Trabuco Canyon, near the Holy Jim Trailhead.  So far, all I have reached are dead ends and closed trails.  You may ask, “What about a map?” 

I say, “Eh?  Can’t hear you?”

Today I found a trail called West Trabuco trail.  I ran that until it turned into another trail by a different name.  And then I came to this?  Can you guess which path I took?

You guessed it!  I took the right trail.  And it was a lovely wide trail for quite some time.  Then I passed a camper in the middle of nowhere.  A bit later I passed a rundown house and worried that I was trespassing on private property.  And then I came to this: 

No more trail!!  After traipsing though this thickness (as it got even thicker toward the creek), I finally found a bank to claw up back onto the original trail.

And so, I ran some more.  Until I came to this.   A lovely single track that I gleefully ran, hopeful that I would find a trail along the stream.

And then I ran upon this.  An old abandoned house, surrounded by nothing but wildlife.  A little spooked, but intrigued, I snuck up on the house, listening carefully.  I figured though the house was abandoned, it could be some kind of drug house or perhaps homeless slept inside. 

I simply could not resist and I went on in.  The stairs intact, I even ran up to the second floor where I walked carefully among rusty nails and broken boards.  There were sleeping bags and cases of empty beer cans scattered about.  A blanket even hung like a curtain in one window.  And large tree had fallen right through the top of the roof and had stabbed through the floor into the first story.  I found it surreal.  But then suddenly felt the urge to get out of there. 

A bit nervous, I snapped one more shot as I took off to run that single track all the way down to the creek, where I indeed found a nice wide trail – actually a dry creek bed adjacent to the flowing creek. 

I ran alongside the creek until I could not pass through the brush.  Nor could I cross the creek without getting my feet wet.  And so I turned around.  My legs stung from tiny thorns perhaps – not sure.  It felt like I had brushed against Stinging Nettle, a plant that I have only come across in Utah.  I haven’t seen this irritating weed in California.  But we may have something similar to it.  I didn’t see any thorns, but my legs felt cut, though by appearance they were not.  (I also noticed small bumps forming on my calves).

Unable to find the single track back, I found myself boxed in again.  I just felt that I needed to get out of there.  Deciding to trust my instinct, I crossed the creek, getting my shoes drenched.  Surprisingly that lovely cold water got rid of the stinging legs (& even the bumps).  Happily, I ran back up into downtown San Juan Capistrano.

And I saw this – pollywogs!

Feeling comfortable back in the historic district, I ran around until it was time to pick up our youngest son.  Then I raced home to change clothes and shoes. 

And then I returned to school to run with my two youngest sons for the Kids Run the O.C. program.  After work this evening, I put in another mile run to bring today’s running total to 14.47 miles.

Exploring runs to cease for the next few days!

Got Some Catching Up To Do

Day Two of 100 Mile Week Celebration/Challenge: 28.38 Miles Run

Finding places to run is not a problem.  Motivation and energy to run is not (yet) a problem.  Finding time to run is a problem.  At the rate I’m running (I know it’s still early in the week – which for this purpose is Sunday through Saturday), I’m going to need to find time to run more than fourteen miles for each of the remaining days.

Will I have the energy?  I don’t know.  I still need to get all three sons to school with their different start times.  I still have to clean house, do the groceries.  And I still have to work.  Despite this, I got in a lovely 12 mile run through the local beaches, wharf and marina this morning.  The marine layer was thick, the air wet.  I began the run feeling cold, wishing I wore a jacket.  I ended the run perfectly comfortable.  I don’t remember tiring even once.

After picking up the boys from school, I ran off to the post office this afternoon to mail our taxes.  The marine layer had vanished.  The sun seemed to wear me down.  And I definitely grew fatigued during this short 3+ mile late afternoon run.

Miles logged today:  15.11

Kickin’ Off 100 Mile Celebration

Tis’ the the season of Lent in the Christian tradition.  I realize many readers are not Christian, and that many readers are not religious at all.  This is not a religious blog, it is a running blog.  But I cannot write a blog of any sort without mentioning a bit of my life.  I am not a Bible scholar, nor am I a scholar of any sort (though I do know a bit of Russian literature).  Okay, off point!  I am traditional.  And I am religious, though, not nearly as much as I desire.  I come up short in practically every aspect of my life.

Truth.  Sorry.

I know many people who gave up things for lent.  And they succeeded.  Some gave up sugar, others ice cream, or wine.  I, on the other hand, gave up NOTHING.  I’m not sure why.  Perhaps I’m too selfish.  Perhaps I punish myself too often to go ahead and sacrifice something (which is kind of like a punishment).  Instead, I thought that I’d be a good Samaritan, which was the topic of Ash Wednesday’s sermon (Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent).  Turns out, I cannot claim that I was a good Samaritan .  I hope it was because the opportunity didn’t come up.  Once I gave a handful change to a poor man, embarrassing my son in the process.  Another time I yelled down a bully in my class for picking on another meeker boy.  I certainly didn’t go “above and beyond” for the poor man.  And though my husband said I protected a boy against a bully.  I really didn’t.  The bullying was over when I found out.  Instead, I just lost my cool and let the guy have it by yelling him down, kicking him out of the class (not the program, just the class), then phoning his mother to “gently” let her know.

So . . . I wasn’t really a good Samaritan during this lent season.  And as mentioned above, I didn’t give up a thing.  As time as passed during Lent, I thought about what I could do for this holiest of seasons in my religion.  And I came upon an idea a couple weeks ago.  For “Holy Week”’, I am celebrating.  I am celebrating by attempting to run 100 miles this week (resting on Easter Sunday).  I cannot call this a sacrifice (though it is for my family).  Instead, as I worded a couple sentences back – my 100 mile week is a celebration, beginning with Palm Sunday, today. (Also, I have no idea if I can do this – I have never run 100 miles in a week).

This morning I woke early, dressed in running pants (because I just can’t go to church in shorts), ran a few miles, then attended an inspiring Palm Sunday service.  Among many other items, I packed a small comb to run through my sopping sweaty hair before walking into church.   Afterward, I ran down to the “river walk” (bike path) and did some exploring.

The marine layer lifted a couple miles in, where I promptly ducked into a public restroom to change into shorts.  Then I ran the bike path past the Los Rios Historic District in San Juan Capistrano.  I noticed a sign that read “East Trabuco Creek Trail,” and thought “Ahh ha!  This is the trail I’ve been looking for!”

Well, that trail ended at an immigrant neighborhood.  The very same neighborhood that one of my students (a lovely student, I might add) calls “the ghetto.”  I’ve run it many times before.  And obviously, he has never been to the ghetto.  The apartments are all well groomed, no graffiti in sight, no homeless sleeping on the streets (still, he warned me, never go there at 2AM – Ah, I’m never anywhere but my bed at 2AM : )

The Trabuco Creek Trail signs disappeared and a new sign, the Camino Real Bike Trail signs appeared.  I followed them, until they ended at Camino Capistrano with no directional arrow.  Well, I know which direction Trabuco Creek flows, so I took a left, and ran a gorgeous, breezy and  shady park until I came to a stop light where I turned left toward the creek.  And guess what I found?  A sign that read “Trabuco Creek Trail.”  Gleefully, I ran that trail until I came TO ANOTHER LOCKED GATE and a sign that read “Trail Closed.”

Well, I turned around, and looked for a passage down by the creek and found myself running through thick mud.  That’s when I thought it was a good idea to turn around and look elsewhere.  I never found a route along  or across the creek.  So, I ran back up into downtown San Juan Capistrano, then the Los Rios District, relishing the festive atmosphere.

Below are just a few scenes from this lovely, yet tiring run.  Scroll to the end for my Palm Sunday trivia question if you wish to play.

Miles logged today:  13.27

Approximately 5 miles in, crossing bridge into downtown San Juan Capistrano

River Walk (headed toward Los Rios Historic District)

Giant Sycamore, so old and tired, it has to lay down

Alas!  I have found Trabuco Creek Trail again!

Running through the mud looking for a way through (no luck : (

The church behind the San Juan Capistrano Mission (crowds of people were walking the streets to enter this church)

Waiting to cross at the San Juan Depot into the historic district

An delightful looking shop in the Los Rios Historic District

Homeward bound – coming upon Doheny Beach

Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (crowds of people laid down their cloaks and palms).  Jesus did something at a Passover meal that sent heads reeling – he sat in a seat traditionally held for someone else.  Whose seat did he sit in at the Passover meal?  And why was this so significant in the Jewish tradition?

I’ll send a half dozen pure honey gels to the first person who answers this question correctly.  They are delicious.

Palm Sunday’s Elevation Profile