Twofer Monday

Today had to be the hottest day all year (here in The O.C. – I shouldn’t be so Cali-Centric : ).  Since I couldn’t get out to the trails until 10:15 AM, I endured.  I HAPPILY endured.

The grass is turning brown in Aliso Canyon.  But spring flowers still spot the hillsides.  Soon caterpillars will inch across the trails.

My main focus today was form.  Form, form, form.  Yes, I’m still working on Chi-Running.  And though I’ve improved much, I still don’t have the strength (core-strength) to keep this form up during an entire run like today’s (especially when I’m tired).  But I will say with this new form, I did not trip once!  And listening closely to my step, I noticed that only put on the breaks once.  Big accomplishments. 

Originally I planned an out-and-back through Wood Canyon.  But it got so DANG HOT, that I decided on a detour on the “back” portion (with some climbing but lots of shade!) through the fantasy trail, Wood Creek Trail.   

Climbing up Wood Creek Trail (Wood Canyon below)

One of the “Bridges” on Wood Creek Trail

Running above creek on Wood Creek Trail

Wood Creek Trail Canopy (Oh, that glorious shade!)

In all, my first run for today equaled 9.18 miles.  I didn’t see a single snake.  Though I did spy a snake trail, a road runner, plenty of quail and bunnies.  Hubby was late picking me up – I enjoyed the time talking to 2 delightful hikers on their first time in Aliso Wood Canyons.  They were headed to Dripping Cave.  Excellent Choice!  I might note they were well equipped with plenty of water.  I drank my entire 64 fluid ounces on my run.  Surprisingly, I saw plenty of other hikers on their way in carrying a single water bottle.  Yikes!  I couldn’t do it.

Then this evening I decided to run home from work.  Why?  Well, the main reason was that I just wanted to see what the mileage equaled.  Secondly, we only have one car at the moment (surprise, surprise!), so I thought I’d give my family a break in picking me up. 

I slipped on my running shoes before the last student left.  Then when he checked out, I rushed for restroom to change and locked my dress and heels up in my desk. 

Heading out for run home (I do believe this is the first time I’ve worn lipstick on a run – LOL)

Well, it was hot as hell this evening at the base of the mountains where I took off.  Fortunately, I decided to pack my hydration pack for the run.  I spent much wasted time untangling my earphones.  On the good side, I gave a couple walking their wheelchair bound child a good laugh when they got a look at the knot I was trying to untangle.  And though my spirits plummeted quickly on this run home, I insisted on proper form and tried to keep up my pace. Why did my spirits plummet you might ask?  Well first off – the heat, secondly, something’s going on with my left knee, and thirdly I was tired, plain ole tired.  (I think I mentioned before, I AM NOT AN AFTERNOON OR EVENING RUNNER – but I was today )

Heading out the fence at back of parking lot for short-cut to river walk. 

Crossing over San Juan Creek

By the time I reached the river walk I could relish that cool ocean breeze.  And I ran it on home, with the sun setting, happily, joyfully, but not quite playfully.

Mileage for run two:  6.41

Total Miles logged today:  15.59

Hope your run or whatever adventure you chose today was just as fun as mine in this hot, hot heat.

Thanks for reading!  I appreciate your comments, especially your suggestions. 

I’m Back (Kinda)

I visited the doctor Thursday and was happy that I didn’t have pneumonia.  And, he informed me that my bronchitis could be treated with antibiotics.  I happily took my prescription for only 8 pills to the pharmacy.  Then I chocked at the $140 bill  -- that’s with insurance.  Mighty expensive pill -- $17.50 a piece.  I guess my doctor took me very seriously when I said I WANNA RUN!  These are some strong antibiotics.  One dose knocked back my cough tremendously and put those body aches to bed. 

And so, even though I still coughed this morning, when my husband said that he had a meeting in Laguna Beach and asked if I’d like him to drop me off at Top of the World.  I didn’t think twice.

Heck Yes!

I’m not completely well.  I feel a whole lot better.  And with the cost of those pills, I felt protected. LOL.

Lily at Top of the World

I’ve never begun my run at Top of the World.  I looked forward to the change and the downhill start.  The skies were blue, the breeze cool.  And I was smiling.  I didn’t see many runners.  But I saw a total of 3 snakes.  The first snake was a garter snake in Wood Canyon.   The second snake was a rattler also on Wood Canyon Trail – it slithered so quickly across the road that it practically flipped across the trail.  I raced up to it, but only caught a picture of its tail end as it slithered into the brush.  The third snake was also a rattler.  This one was on West Ridge on my run back up.  Again, I only caught its tail end as it left the trail.

Garter Snake

As I raced up to the first rattler, I caught up with a shirtless man I’ve seen at Aliso/Wood Canyons  time and time again (it seems for years!).  He’s pretty much always there putting in countless miles on the trails.  Today, we had a nice long conversation together (maybe 1 whole mile’s worth) and I learned he is an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter training for a Vegas fight Memorial Day weekend.  I’m looking forward to watching him on Spike T.V. (You wouldn’t believe what the purse is if I told you – I was absolutely amazed to learn).  He goes by the name ARod (like the baseball player) and he’s sure got stamina.  I don’t know though how stamina helps your body to take a beating like those “ultimate fighters” do.  But wait, why did I put that in the negative?  The stamina I’m sure, helps you to keep on pounding your opponent even when your dead-dog-tired.

It’s not like me to strike up long conversations with a “stranger” on the trail.  (I do however, strike up long conversations with riders on a bus : ) But Arod’s not really a stranger, and I was just so happy to be out there running trails again – I wanted to know why everyone was out there.  Most of the other people that I saw today were mountain bikers, which of course are difficult to strike up conversations with (since they’re usually travelling faster than me) – still I spoke with a few (and they probably thought who is that crazy, giddy lady?)

Today’s Elevation Profile:

One Picture From Each Of The Trails I Ran Today:

Park Avenue Nature Trail

West Ridge

Cholla Trail

Wood Canyon Trail

Dripping Cave Trail

Mathis Trail

Oak Grove Trail

Car Wreck Trail

Miles logged today, my first day back after the 100 Mile Week: 7.55

I could sit in this Cave (Dripping Cave AKA Robber’s Cave) all day long.

Enjoy your run! 

Aftermath

The aftermath of any big run or running challenge is always significant for me.  When my hundred mile week ended, I was elated, truly elated.  Then that same day, I was saddened that the whole thing was over – not just the running (though I LOVED the running), but also the racing around trying to fit runs in during my busy schedule and the challenge of doing this all when I was sicker and growing sicker.  I actually liked the fact that I lost my voice – it was like a battle wound.

That kind of stuff makes me feel alive.

About 36 hours after I finished the 100 miles, depression set in and I could feel aches in both IT bands.  I told my family I would wait three days before I ran again.  Sunday, we celebrated Easter.  Monday, I did my chores, worked, etc.  Tuesday, I felt a whole lot better illness-wise.  And so I set off to the gym for a two hour workout.  Hubby said, “Wait, you said THREE days!”  I responded, “3 days no RUNNING.” 

I felt great after my gym workout, ecstatic in fact.  And then BOOM!  I was sick again. 

It hurts to swallow.  I toss and turn all night. My cough is deep.  And when I see runners on the street, I’m jealous.  Jealous.  I’m 46 years old, and I’m JEALOUS when I see people running.  I’m not jealous when I see people driving Mercedes (I don’t even own a car).  I’m not jealous when I see jeweled fingers or by women who wear a different outfit every day.  I’m not even jealous of slim trim ladies.  I’m jealous when I see people running.  And sadly, though while I was experiencing my 100 mile celebration, I loved it, now I feel the same ole weakness I’ve always felt.

Strength Granted / 100 Week Goal Hit

Day Seven 100 Mile Week Celebration/Challenge: 100.09 Miles Run

My husband thought it was all over for me on Thursday.  He said I ought to say, “Ah . . . I meant 100 Km!”

Friday night I said to him, with a whisper of a voice (because I lost it somewhere on my runs), “If I don’t improve vastly overnight, I don’t know how I’m gonna make it tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow” was Saturday, today, the 7th day of my 100 mile week celebration/challenge.  I went to bed early, with another “shot” of severe cough and cold medicine.  I slept pretty good until midnight when I woke with a coughing fit.  After chewing a cherry-honey Ricola, I fell promptly back to sleep, then experienced wild dreams of a lunatic trying to kill me.  He succeeded, then I’d play the story over and over again, trying new things so that he couldn’t succeed in killing me again.  But each time I changed my moves, so did he.  I remember climbing up crazy-high fire escapes and riding falling elevators.  Not fun. 

6:00 AM arrived, and I woke out of habit (I set my alarm for 6:30).  Thankfully, my throat no longer ached.  After two cups of coffee, I foam rolled my IT band, calves and hips.  Then at 7:30 AM, I ran out the front door for the last segment of my 100 miles to celebrate Holy Week.

I will try and make a very long story short(ish).  I began this run on an uphill which was very tough.  I felt weak.  Reaching the top of the hill was a great relief as I made my way down to complete the first leg of this run.  Great relief does not exactly equate to “fun.”  I still felt overly fatigued.  Then while listening to Eminem on my ipod (I know some of you laugh), he sang the words, “Lord grant me the strength . . . “  And I thought, “Man!  What Am I doing?  Those should be my words.”  And so I chanted those same words until my tiredness departed and I began to enjoy this lovely morning and the feeling of triumph, as I finished off my 100 miles.

I told myself “Your’re only running  4 sets of a little less than 4 miles.”  I didn’t plan out each segment in advance, instead I decided as I ran, and promised myself not to look at mileage until I reached the end of a “segment.”  Last thing I wanted was to stress over mileage.  I really wanted to enjoy this run on such a glorious and beautiful day.

After that first downhill, I ran a straightaway, then down some more to the beaches at the northern end of town – Monarch, Salt Creek and Dana Strands.  By the time I made my way to the surf, I felt normal – like I hadn’t pushed myself to the limits this past week. 

Segment 1 was probably the longest, but by far, the most enjoyable.  I ran along wet sand, visited tide pools.  The mood on the beaches was festive with surfers, walkers, runners and sun tanners all enjoying the early morning sun.

Running down into Salt Creek/Monarch Beach

Running Dana Strands

Leg 2 included the upper portion of my town, “The Headlands,” which meant a nice climb back UP.  But climbing up also meant trails, lovely trails.  I ran them for a couple miles, stopping once to take off my long sleeves and empty my shoes of sand.

View looking back at Monarch Beach, Salt Creek & The Strands 

Running Headlands, Overlooking Marina & Island (Island is Leg 3)

Sculpture of Richard Henry Dana, Jr.  (Author of Two Years Before the Mast) throwing cowhides off the cliff down to The Pilgrim well before the marina existed (1830s)

Running Down Into Leg 3 – The Marina Island

I felt great during leg 3.  People roamed the island, squirrels scampered about as pigeons excited little children who exclaimed “Look at that pretty bird.”  (How wonderful to think of pigeons as pretty birds rather than annoying pests who try to steal your picnic food).  Outriggers rowed the calm waters inside the jetty.  Windsurfers paddled against slight winds.  Party goers decorated gazebos for birthdays and pre-Easter celebrations – a true delight. 

A View From Island (Headlands In Background, From Whence I Came)

Sculpture Of Richard Henry Dana, Jr. Greeting Incomers To Marina Island

Leg 4 of my run to end Holy week went relatively quickly, though I found it difficult not to stare down the garmin.  I was tired somewhat, but making sure I didn’t drag my feet (by listening closely to my step), I was able to keep decent form, which meant for an enjoyable end. 

Though a car nearly plowed into me during Leg 4 (and it wasn’t my fault, it was his – a lot of good “fault” does if he hit me), I didn’t lose spirit.  I ran along the marina, through the wharf, then the main road.  I ended my lowlands run through Doheny Beach and on the bridge then over San Juan Creek, or actually the estuary, as it is where the river meets the ocean.  And then I ran back up Highway One home.  I chose (on purpose) the least grade back.  And since that climb was gradual, it was enjoyable.  And as I ran up the driveway of my home, I heard my middle son yell out with glee from the living room, “ONE HUNDRED MILES!”  What a pleasure that was!

Happy Easter.

Miles Logged today:  15.32

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.