Autumn Run

People say the seasons don’t change in California.  Born and raised in California, I’m here to testify that the seasons do change.  They don’t change in the same manner that they do in other places, say . . . the eastern coast of the U.S.  But here in California, we definitely know when the season’s a changin’.

When autumn arrives we usually have fires in Southern California.  We call October “Fire Season.”  The reason we have fires (I won’t get into any political facts here) is mainly because of the Santa Ana winds.  Those are those warm winds that blow toward the west.

One of the changes on the southern coast in California during autumn is the smell.  When I wake in the morning, I smell campfires from the beach (or, fortunately not this year, I smell fires elsewhere).  And though the mornings have usually cooled during the autumn, there is an occasional  (actually semi-frequently) warm morning due to these Santa Ana winds.

And sure the colors don’t change like they do elsewhere, but the colors still change.  To begin, that brown coastal sage that I’m used to in my local hills gets drowned out by new green growth.  Autumn is almost like spring in Southern California.

I never saw this bloom at Aliso/Wood Canyons during the summer (must be an autumn bloom!)

I wanted something different on this Thursday autumn morning.  But I really didn’t have “all the time in the world.”  I like having “all the time in the world to run.”  But with 3 youngish boys and a husband, not to mention a job and household chores, that “all the time in the world” is considered bad.  Selfish, selfish . . . selfish.

Anyway, I did have some hours, and I set off lackadaisically (because I’m still in “recovery”)  in Aliso Canyon with no real idea where I was running.  The weather was cool, the skies grayish.  I had lots of different routes in mind.  And I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING, but I decided to run up the new trail “Mentally Sensitive” again.  LOL.  The best thing about the trip was that I could see the Saddleback mountains in the distance (& I’m still in reminisce mode).  The worst thing about that trail was that it was HORRIBLE.  I mean, WHAT WAS I THINKING?  That trail gets so steep that I’m serious when I write that I have to use all my strength not to slip backward.   You can see from the profile below that this trail basically goes straight up.  And in my silly mind, I thought that I’d run the whole thing.  Problem was, I found it impossible to keep up the mid-foot strike and had to resort to the fore-foot strike.  At first I kept the fore-foot strike only on my left foot (where a nerve has been surgically removed), but eventually I had to resort to a fore-foot strike on my right foot (where I have refused a second surgery).  I felt okay with the toes during this horrid trail.  But eventually I resorted to some backward running, and also running up the hill sideways.

As I ran up Mentally Sensitive, I thought this has got to be the LAMEST NAME FOR A TRAIL EVER. (Sorry if you named it.).  While running it, the name that fit perfectly for me was RIDICULOUS.  Then after some time, I realized that the best name for this trail that simply climbs and climbs and climbs is Psycho-Path

Autumn colors from Mentally Sensitive (Psycho-Path)

Running up “Psycho-Path”

Well, it appears that I am NOT making a “long story short,” nor am I really proving my point about autumn (I would rather make a long story short than a short story long). 

So!  When I finally reached the top of Psycho-Path I thought that since I was up there that I’d  venture into unknown areas and explore past the park I found the first time up this silly trail. 

I recovered quickly viewing the lovely gray Pacific Ocean and ran off to my left, and ran joyfully (I’m not joking) through the soccer field exploring like Lewis and Clark.  Wait!  More like Ponce de Leon who was searching for The Fountain of Youth.  Unlike my friend de Leon, I found the fountain of youth.  A swing set. 

After my little play session, I ran along the asphalt neighborhoods to Top of the World.  From there, I simply ran and turned down trails based on the time of my clock.  As I ran along West Ridge Trail I found my Conservation Corps friends.  I snapped some pictures of these young and beautiful guys and gals with the promise that I’d post them for their viewing on my blog (advertise!)

Conservation  Corps rebuilding a trail off of West Ridge

This is our autumn!

I could go on and on with this run.  But if you follow this blog, you know these trails well.  Instead of running down Cholla Trail, I decided on Lynx Trail, one that I hardly take.  That trail lead me right out onto Wood Canyon, which of course was a pleasant delight.  Then I finished up my loop, recording my evidence of autumn with my camera, running Wood Creek, Coyote Run and Wood Canyon trails.

Lynx Trail:

Wood Creek Trail:

The lovely color RED has overcome the poison oak:

Coyote Run Trail:

Miles logged Thursday morning:  13.27

Recovery

When I returned from Saturday’s marathon I was on a natural high, mainly because I couldn’t believe how much I accomplished my goal.  The remainder of the day, I felt sick, nauseated, achy.  My eyes ached from all the salt in my sweat that dripped into them.  I bedded early. 

Sunday, I barely remember.  I remember waking stiff all over, and also, nearly falling asleep several times during church – not that the service was boring.  I was just dang tired.  I napped Sunday afternoon, then bedded early again.  Basically, Sunday was a blur.  I had to ask my husband if it had rained on Sunday because I had planned on painting the yard gates.  By Monday, they weren’t painted.  I suppose I may have lost a few brain cells on Saturday.

Monday, I saved my running legs and played gym rat.  I did a lot of stretching, foam rolling, ab work, weights and even 65 minutes on the elliptical crossramp.  Mainly, my right IT band was sore, and my quads needed lots of rolling.  The 2.5 hour workout seemed to “iron-out” this.  But boy was I sleepy!!  AGAIN.  That afternoon I napped a few hours. Then I tucked into bed about 8:30 PM.  Needless to say, this constant sleeping on my part annoyed some in my family (I won’t say who, but there was more than one culprit!)

I felt my recovery was going along beautifully.  I think the sleeping helped.  I couldn’t help but reflect on this marathon (quickly counting, I believe, my 6th) compared to my first marathon on 5/31/2009.  (San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon – I actually found my blog for it, buried in Myspace.)  From my recollection, after my first marathon I couldn’t run well for weeks.  And when I did finally put in five plus miles, I had a difficult time breathing evenly.  Recovery was tough then.

That wasn’t the case this time.  I woke this morning FULLY refreshed.  I felt elated that I had time and energy to run on the third day after the Saddleback Trail Marathon.  And so, after all my “wifely/motherly” duties, and before my afternoon job, I headed out to Aliso/Wood Canyons for a carefree run to the Top of the World. 

I ran up Cholla Trail, a short ascent which seemed like a bump in the road compared to Holy Jim.  Then I ran along the rolling hills of West Ridge, smiling wide at probably a dozen mountain bikers who made their way along the trail.

 Top of Cholla Trail

My usual post marathon depression either hasn’t hit or didn’t hit after Saddleback.  It usually hits within 2 days.  Thing is, I’m so dang happy that I made such an improvement, it might not hit this time.  I’ll tell what did hit almost immediately:  a melancholy feeling over the fact that this journey had ended.  I had been working so long and so hard for this one race.  And now it is over.  I realize though,  there are lots of life journeys, and that while in the midst of the journeys I’m in right now, new ones are beginning all the time, and another running journey is just around the corner.

Still, I found myself day dreaming frequently about Saturday’s marathon on today’s run.  I allowed it somewhat.  Then I’d force myself out of the past and grudgingly enter again into the present.

Yes, I’m a bit odd.

Day dreaming about Saddleback Trail Marathon – why look there’s Saddleback in the distance right there!

Acting silly at Top of the World (with SADDLEBACK mountains in background):

I didn’t run the out-and-back as planned this morning.  Why?  Because I did not want to stop running.  Instead, I headed down Mathis thinking I might run into Jeff (he often choses Mathis).  My friend Jeff by the way, also greatly bettered his time in the Saddleback Marathon. 

Instead, Mathis was empty.  But empty is lovely too.  The skies were blue with wispy clouds, the weather cool enough that I didn’t regret long sleeves.  From there I ran over the plank bridge that crosses Wood Creek and ran a shady, cool Wood Canyon back to the truck for a total of 7.70 miles on this “recovery” run. 

Fall blooms along the ridge:

Wood Canyon, where the color green is now “in”:

Today’s profile:

Saddleback Trail Marathon 2011

After a day-long rain storm, I went to bed quite early Friday night.  I woke every single hour, forgetting what was happening Saturday morning.  Before dozing off I thought, “What’s the big thing happening in the morning?”  The answer would quickly come to me, Saddleback Marathon,  and I’d fall promptly to sleep. 

I began my drive up the mountain in the dark, and parked the truck as the sun was rising.  No snow on the ground, but it was pretty dang cold.  I wore my warmest socks.  Wearing gloves, long sleeves and a beanie, I wrapped a scarf around my neck while waiting for “the toughest marathon in California” to begin.  I don’t personally know that this is the toughest marathon in California.  But I do know that it is the toughest marathon that I have ever run. 
 

Jeremy Howes and Jeff Trevena

About 80 of us took off on this mountain run.  My feet were numb from the cold.  I knew I had to give up my scarf, so I threw it in the back of the truck as I ran by.  A multitude of runners also threw things in their trucks and cars.  My friend Jeremy threw his jacket in his truck bed and then his distance from me grew farther and farther, just as most of the runners did.

Headed toward the Main Divide for first climb

I did not make that first climb alone.  Among the runners were 3 gentlemen from Buena Park, one of them running his 117th marathon!  I did not know it then, but several runners were behind as well.  Knowing what lay ahead I decided long ago that I’d use that first climb up the Main Divide to warm up. 

Up the Main Divide headed toward Trabuco Trail

The run down Trabuco was shady and lush, a divine sight.  I noticed frost on the ground, but didn’t stop to check it out or even take a picture.  All the runners kept bundled as they made their trip down Trabuco.  Having run that trail quite a few times, I passed about 8 runners on the way down.  Then suddenly Chris Diaz (guy wearing orange shirt in video below) was right at my heels.  I didn’t even know that Chris was behind me.  He’s a super fun trail runner that I’ve met at many races.  He always beats me, but he’s so extremely supportive and friendly it’s always a pleasure when Chris passes me!
 

By the time we reached the bottom of the hill, Chris and his friend passed me by.  But I was able to pass two ladies who walked across boulders on the flatter portions of Trabuco.  I find it easier to run across them, though by the looks of the scattered boulders, they look easier to hike. 

Aid Station at bottom of Holy Jim:

I hoped to catch up with Jeremy by the Holy Jim aid station.  No such luck.  I took a couple shots of Pepsi and took off as quickly as possible, happily leaving some ladies behind using the outhouses.  I ran all of Holy Jim, as I had been training, and as I had been training, very slowly.  I can’t take it any other way right now.  My goal was to make it from the start line to Bear Springs (Top of Holy Jim) in less than 4 hours.  (2010 it took me 4:20 to make the trek). 

One by one, the runners that I passed on the way down Trabuco began passing me going up Holy Jim.  I kept up with the Buena Park men for a while.  When I lost sight of two of them, one of the guys refused to pass me, hoping to push me along (he insisted that I was going to finish this race in 6:30 or less, where my goal was a sub 7 period).  When he took off, he darted up that switchback with animal strength.  I was amazed.

I ran much of Holy Jim solo, but could see runners in the distance, most of them hiking.  As I neared Bear Springs, I began to lose faith and doubt my ability.  I thought that I was probably in last place and started to feel sorry for myself.  “You’re not in a race against others!” I told myself.  “You’re in a race against yourself, against the mountain.”

Nearing the top, I passed an older gentleman, who gave me a friendly push from behind (not on my behind, but on my back).  I laughed and thanked him.  Utterly relieved, I made it to Bear Springs in a little less than 3.5 hours!!

The run up Holy Jim:

Bear Springs aid station:

After a couple swigs of Coca-Cola I noticed a woman that I had not seen before, reach the top of Holy Jim behind me.  Her presence sent me on my way quickly.  I felt strong and confident again.  My fingers cramped somewhat, but other than that, I had no aches and pains.  I could see some runners in the distance, and passed one or two, but I didn’t see my friend anywhere and thought that I would probably not catch Jeremy.  

I found the rolling hills along The Main Divide a nice break.  Then at one point, gosh, I’m not even sure now when it was, I think it was heading up to Trabuco Peak, I spotted Jeremy.  I worked long and hard to catch him, staying to the side, hidden by the brush.  My plan was to surprise him by suddenly appearing next to him.  Every time though it seemed that I closed the gap, he would get out farther ahead.  Finally as I ran up, he turned around and saw me before I could surprise him. 

I had to fill up with fluids at the next aid station, and Jeremy was off again, disappearing from sight on the mountainside.  I found myself joking around again and stayed a bit longer at the aid station than I should have.  I took “shots” of Coca-Cola like a drunkard at a bar taking shots of Tequila. 

When I took off again, I was quick on my feet.  I wanted to pass everyone who had passed me at the last aid station.  I felt the strength and I was going to use it and ran as fast as I could, focusing on the slightly rocky terrain.  Then all of a sudden I flew through the air and comically hit the ground making a graceful roll in the dirt.  Except for a tiny scrape, there was no injury, but my calf cramped up.  (I joked at the next aid station that it was a ballerina fall).  I jumped up and continued my run as quickly as before I fell.    I passed all of the runners who passed by me at the last aid station.  I gave Jeremy a thumbs-up when I finally caught him and continued on running with strength that at this point I didn’t realize I’d have.  (Last year about here, I was ready to drop to the dirt). 

View from the Main Divide:

I ran along joyfully (seriously!), trying to close the gap between me and one other runner out there on the Main Divide that I could see in front of me.  I didn’t realize the runner was Chris at the time.  When I reached the top of the last hill, I caught up with that runner.  That’s when I realized who it was.  I took off running, giddy that I had a lead on Chris Diaz! 

I ran those last 4 miles as fast as I could.  When I’d peek behind me, Chris was no where in sight.  Then all of a sudden I noticed two women within striking distance behind me.  That got me moving faster.  I didn’t even look at my garmin to notice my time.  Suddenly all that mattered was not letting those two (I’m sure very nice) women pass me. 

I rounded the corner onto the asphalt with relief.  Still, I knew that those women could appear any time.  I ran down that pavement toward the last single-track, slowing some.  Then OUT OF NOWHERE, Chris appeared at my side.  “Dang!”  I said.  He laughed and as we both entered that single-track” he said, “Together, we’ll do this together.”  But I was in no shape to keep up with him that last half mile or so.  And I happily watched his lead grow. 

As soon as I crossed the finish line, I asked for my time.  My jaw dropped when I was told 6:01!  6:01!  I could have cried if I wasn’t so dang happy.  FINALLY, I had made a goal that I set out to accomplish.  I wanted to kill last years’ time.  I would have considered “killing” the time by beating it thirty minutes.  I truly amazed myself and did more than that – I shattered last years’ time by 1 hour and 25 minutes! 

My friend Jeremy also shattered his time by about an hour:

Saddleback Trail Marathon 2011 The Movie : )

My official time was:  6:01:55.  Out of 81 starters, 80 finished.  I placed 69.   (In 2010 my time was 7:26:23 for this trail marathon) 

ps.  I have one more thing to write.  This may seem dorky to include, especially for me, it’s not like I’m a placer.  But I have lots of people to thank who helped me train for this race by getting up before sunrise and running up in those mountains – Tom Bychowski, Michael Perlongo, Hank Guardado, many others too many to name, and lastly but definitely not least, Jeremy Howes who spent many, many hours with me running those mountains in the rain, in the heat, with enormous gnats and scary pitbulls, and freaky (yet cute) salamanders, downhill storming deer, and a few of my clumsy falls.  : )  Thanks!  I really couldn’t have done it without you guys.

That’s Not Runnin’, That’s Playin’

I had this week’s workouts all planned, two “short” runs, two gym days.  Then I would rest on Friday before the big day: SATURDAY. (Yikes!).

Monday, I got the boys off to school then returned home and got back in bed.  I slept until 12:30 PM.  TWELVE.  THIRTY.  I guess I was tired.  No run on Monday.  No gym on Monday.

Okay, so change of plans: two “short” runs and one gym day.

Tuesday morning, I got a 7:10 AM call to substitute teach.  Not being in the position to turn down work, I took the job and afterward drove to my regular job for a very long work day.  No run on Tuesday.  No gym on Tuesday.

My carefully laid-out plans for this week’s workouts were shot in just two days.  This morning I had to admit something to myself.  Training for Saddleback is OVER.  There’s nothing I can really gain (except for some rest) that will prepare me any more for Saturday.

And so today I laced up my shoes, strapped on my pack and hit the trails for some fun running.  Actually, it was more like playing.  But isn’t all running really playing?  I know I get a little serious about it at times, as if it’s my lifeline, but really I just want to have fun.  That’s why I love trail running so much – because it’s fun!

I’m kind of glad my plans were shot.  Otherwise, I may have not got in such a fun run.

Heading up Wood Creek Trail, it’s still a bit chilly:

By the number of spider webs I broke through, I could tell I was the first runner on Wood Creek Today:

Dozens of these enormous webs hung high throughout the wooded trails:

The sun warms up this single track (Coyote Run) as hundreds if not thousands (seriously) of crows gawk and fly about from tree to tree:

View of Wood Canyon and Coyote Run below from the Nature Loop Trail that brought me high above the creek and to this awesome view of new green growth:

Some delightful feathery blooms:

Photo Op on Cave Rock Trail against THE rock:

Running down Cave Rock Trail:

Entering Meadows Trail with no anxiety over the approaching climb:

Approaching top of Meadows Trail and look what’s in the distance – hint:  Saddleback Marathon:

Top of Meadows showing off Pacific Ocean (Laguna Beach) with an awkward pose :

I just love these goats:

Top of the World and feeling great!:

Heading back to truck along West Ridge (notice background – Saturday!!):

10.25 Miles run today (approx. 16.5 km):