Maple Springs to Four Corners

I finally went back to speed training this week.  That was my rest/recovery after the Saddleback Trail Marathon – no speed training.  Why?  Because I hate speed training.  I spit on speed training. 

So, yesterday, I forced myself to do 25 minutes of speed work.  I even added 15 seconds to my bursts.

This morning was time for fun.  Forget all about that speed stuff.  I hopped into the truck before sunrise and drove off to Silverado Canyon for a run up Maple Springs to the Main Divide.  The first and only time, before today, that I ran Maple Springs, I remember I kept asking my friend, “Are we there yet?  Are we almost there?”  I must have hiked at least 50% of the route up. 

Today, I ran ALL OF IT.  All of its awesomeness.  Autumn is definitely here.  And this trail runner isn’t missing it.  The run started off cold, with frost along the trail’s edge.  The small puddles were frozen over all the way up. 

I ran without music on the way through the canyon amazed how loud nature was this morning.  Have you ever listened to the sound of a bird’s wings flapping above your head?  It makes an eerie swooshing sound.  Added to nature’s music on this autumn day, squirrels chirped their high-pitched rhythmic tone in the brush.  Birds sang in the trees and water crashed down onto boulders. 

Sound alone did not overwhelm me this morning.  The utter beauty of the mountainside was immeasurable.  Bright yellow leaves covered the maple trees.  Lovely green ferns and moss lined the mountain walls. 

I didn’t see a single other person on my run up.  Nothing like complete solitude in the wilderness for a major brain dump.  I let it all drain out, fighting against the urge to think about everything I need to do, etc., etc.  But I did meet a friendly cyclist at the top (4 Corners).  Running down I came across several mountain bikers, one runner and two hikers. 

I ran fast (that is my fast) on the way down.  I didn’t fall.  Didn’t trip once.  I don’t remember even feeling tired.  Perhaps the beauty overwhelmed any fatigue.

What a difference a year makes!

Heading up Maple Springs (pepper spray in hand) and it’s pretty dang cold:

Scenes from the run up Maple Springs:

View from Four Corners:

Thumbs up to a fantastic run up (& time to layer down).  I’m getting warm on this cold day:

Goofing around a bit before the run back:

From the run down:  fire remnants

Just one more picture of those gorgeous maples:

The final stretch:

15.17  lovely miles (24.41 km) run this morning

Too Much Data

Have you ever been talking on the cell phone, while at the same time looking for your cell phone?  I have. 

My sister told me that she once used the landline to call her cell because she couldn’t find it.  Then she ran and answered the cell, “Hello?  Hello?”

I was once telling my friend how I left my keys in the car ignition when I went grocery shopping.  The entire produce section was looking for my keys, because I WAS SURE that I had them in my hands while looking at apples.  My friend told me – that’s nothing!  Then he confessed that when he went golfing he had to go back to his car because he thought he left his keys in them.  Not only did he find his keys in the ignition.  But he car was still running!!!

Are we getting old?  Everyone gets old (and really we’re not THAT old).  Even if we were, I don’t think that’s the culprit here.  I think there’s just too much to think about.  Too much data. 

At least for my brain.

No, this blog is not going where you think it is.  I’m not going to talk about all the high tech shoes and running equipment, and how we have to keep track of our pace, elevation, etc. . .   I’m simply going to say that I took a nice thirteen mile run this morning.  My last run before the storm that’s supposed to come in tomorrow. 

Anyway, I dumped lots and lots of data running trails today.  It was beautiful. 

As I ran down “No-Name,” I felt extremely thirsty.  Lately, I’ve been running with handhelds, and with nothing in my hands this morning, I kind of felt to myself (I didn’t really think words, because I was in NO THINKING MODE this morning), “I can’t wait to get to the ranger station.”  (There’s a drinking fountain there.)  This is how it is in NO THINKING MODE.  I mean, didn’t it dawn on me that it was pretty odd that I didn’t carry water on a ten plus mile run?  Then some voice penetrated through the wall and said, “Ah . . . Lauren, you have 64 fluid ounces on your back.”  I laughed and laughed as I drank up.

And then I ran in the moment for the next thirteen miles.

And now for the pictures of a tranquil trail run in El Moro:

The route:

Running down No-Name Trail toward the Pacific Ocean:

Crossing bridge to run up El Moro Canyon:

El Moro Canyon:

Old Emerald Falls Trail:

About to ascend Old Emerald Trail:

A nice hearty climb on Old Emerald:

Approaching top of Old Emerald:

Running back to reality on Bommer Ridge:

Miles run:  13.61 (21.90 km)

Oops, Here I Go Again

I’ve got a little IT Band Syndrome going on in my left leg – nothing some, pretty much constant, rolling won’t fix.  I rolled when everyone was sleeping this morning.  Then I threw the roller in the truck and drove the boys to school.

I rolled on the asphalt of the church parking lot that I parked in to run at Aliso/Wood Canyons.  When I took off on this misty morning, my left knee still ached just a bit.  But I really didn’t care.   I just wanted to run trails. 

Deciding on Psycho-Path (Mentally Sensitive ) I knew that I had to do the loop quicker than I ran it Monday if I didn’t want to be late picking up the boys.  Thing was, my run started off slowly with various issues:  pit stops, head phone tanglings, shoe laces untying, photos that I had to capture, etc. 

Off into the mist on Aliso Creek Trail:

As I ran Meadows Trail, I could see something moving in the fields that Psycho-Path (Mentally Sensitive) travels through.  It was white with black stripes.  And for some odd reason, I just couldn’t let it go.  What was it???  There are no wild animals (specifically cats, because that all I really care about) with zebra-like stripes in our parts.  As the trail swooped around, I looked closer, deciding that they weren’t stripes at all, but instead the thing was a big tin wash pan.  But why was it moving in the wind so lackadaisically?  A wash pan would make some kind of clanging noise.  Taking up more time on this run that I needed to finish quicker, I stopped and stared for a while.  Yup, zebra stripes.  Then of all things, I took a step into the meadow and ACTUALLY BEGAN THE TREK ACROSS THE MEADOW to find out what this thing was. 

STOP.  I told myself.  This is how you get into trouble!  Do not run across the wet meadow and get your shoes wet.  And what if it is an animal?  What then smart gal?  After some time, with one foot in the meadow and one on the trail, I finally came to the conclusion that I was looking at a partially deflated zebra-striped mylar balloon blowing in the wind. 

Who knows.  It was enough to get me running again. 

Funny thing.  I felt anxiety weighing down on me as I approached Psycho-Path’s climb.  This climbing anxiety hasn’t happened in a long time with my running.  As I approached I thought, “pace yourself and just take it easy,” and that settled me down.  I ran up the whole thing. 

Yup, psycho.

Running up the steepest trail in Aliso/Wood Canyons:

Though I ran it, I did stop once or twice to snap a quick picture – like of this lovely multi-colored moss:

And this majestic scene:

Here’s looking back (the trail runs along that ridgeline down the center of this photo)  LOL.  The toughest part hasn’t even begun:

If you run trails, perhaps you can relate.  To reach the top of a steep climb is exhilarating.  And to keep on running with no recovery time needed is ecstatic.  (Just in case you’re wondering why I put myself through this – the glory . . . the defeat over the body and mind!).  

Running along the ridge toward Top of the World, reminds me of lonely Texas country road running:

Some fancy footwork down Car Wreck Trail:

Meet my new friend:

Good buddies:

I goofed around a bit too much at the car wreck above that I had to kick it into high gear to finish off this run.  Before I finish off this blog, I should tell you that a while back I asked the ranger about the wreck.  She told me that the previous owners of this property (the owners who donated it to the county – can you believe how nice that is!) were goofing around on the roads.  The crash happened then (the car is a Volvo).  And as far as the ranger knew, there were no fatalities.  Probably only minor injuries.  That was many years ago.

High-gear through Oak Grove Trail:

Miles logged this morning:  9.9 (15.93 km)

Coping

I’m learning to cope with this early out schedule finally.  HOWEVER, yesterday, while it was “early-out” for our elementary school sons, it was “late-in” day for our middle son.

Boy-oh-boy!  I made the best of it and played gym rat.  And may I please just once more request, PLEASE stop dropping the weights.  Okay, where was I?  Oh yes, coping.  That’s right – coping.  In other words, I went for a trail run.

This morning, so happy to get back on the trails, I decided to skip Psycho-Path (Mentally Sensitive).  Notice that I’ve taken “Psycho-Path” out of the parentheses.  I opted to run up Meadows Trail instead – yes, the very same one that I thought I would never have the strength to run.  And I have to say, after “Psycho-Path”, Meadows is easy!  (Well, not exactly easy.) 

I decided on Meadows to give myself more time because I had it in my heart to visit Dripping Cave.

Ready to take off down Aliso Creek Trail from Ranger Station (still a bit chilly):

Now, this is why they call it Meadows Trail.  Just wait til spring!

After a quick pit stop at Top of the World, I raced down West Ridge, making pretty good time.  Then I decided to run down Mathis instead of Car Wreck so that I could work on my downhill speed even more.  Car Wreck is not the trail to work on speed, it’s more the trail to work on technical foot work. At the bottom of Mathis I turned off onto Dripping Cave.  And having made such good time, I knew that I had plenty of time to goof around at the cave and still make it in time to pick up the boys for “early-out” day.

Running Dripping Cave trail.  Notice Poison Oak on right adding to a lovely fall color. 

Gnarly roots along Dripping Cave Trail:

First thing I did when I reached Dripping Cave was take off the headphones.  Being a secluded area, I wanted to hear anyone or anything approaching.  The next thing I did was inspect the cave for snakes.  Then I simply investigated the cave walls, walked about from end to end, peered off behind the cave, and took some silly photos.

Touching cave ceiling:

This looks like a nice spot to enjoy the scenery:

Leaving Dripping Cave:

I felt good running back to the truck.  Few runners ran into the park, lots of mountain bikers made there way in and out.  Along Aliso Creek Trail, I ran by 3 or 4 squished white and gray mice.  Not snake food anymore.  But I’m sure some coyote might enjoy the tasty (yikes!) snack soon.

Autumn in the coastal hills of Southern California:

Miles logged this morning:  9.42 (15.16 km)

Warning: Contains selfish sarcastic rant

I kind of hoped that I didn’t get a call to sub this morning.  Why?  Because I wanted to run.  The local trails were closed all weekend due to “wet and muddy conditions.”   But I really needed the work and should be praying for that sub call since I don’t work my regular job til tomorrow.  Selfish!

Then this week, ALL WEEK, we have early-out days at the elementary school.  This schedule really screws things up for me trail-wise.  By the time I drop off son number 3, I have very little time to run.  Selfish.  Selfish! 

I returned home from dropping our first two boys, weeping because I neglected to do something my youngest son wanted to do this weekend.  And also over the fact that I’m a selfish jerk. (It seems like youngest son is getting “the raw end of the deal.”  I already did everything the first two times (sons), and now I’ve grown so dang obsessed with running, I don’t take time like before to stay with family.) 

Are all runners selfish?  I suppose so.  I mean, how can we run without neglecting others?  But not all runners are selfish jerks. 

I woke my husband with my woes, and he wasn’t too happy (probably called me a selfish jerk, at least something like that).  That got my oldest son on a rant against Dad, to which I pleaded, “disengage . . . disengage!” (Hubby has never read my blog, so I can pretty much put anything in here – however, other family members do read this blog once in a while, but I’m just in that kind of mood to post this anyway!)

I dried up those eyes because I didn’t want to send our oldest son off with the vision of a sad mom.  We sang and snapped our fingers to Pink on the way to school.   I wore sunglasses and faked a wide smile.  I don’t think it worked.

Fuming over anything I could conjure up, I headed for the hills.  And what did I do?  Why, I ran a route at Aliso/Wood with the steepest climb.  Now why would I put myself through Mentally Sensitive A.K.A. Psycho-Path again and on a day like today?  The answer is quite simple.  When I do something extremely difficult I cannot think about a single other thing.  I did it for relief from my sadness and anger.  And by the time I reached Top of the World, I received a call from hubby who I thought was wondering where I was.  But I suppose it’s obvious that I was on a trail somewhere.  Instead, I got the message that my boss was trying to get a hold of me.  So, I phoned her up on the ridge to receive a warning of potentially bad news.  After dumping this warning of potentially bad news on my husband (see, selfish!!), I headed down Car Wreck Trail, which I think was quite apropos for my state of being.  

Though my run was wonderful, today was not a good day.  And really I’m not right and probably shouldn’t even blog.  Anyway, I raced back to the truck to make it back for early-out day and pick up the boys.  A few minutes late, I nearly got into an argument with a man who insisted that I wasn’t letting him back his enormous S.U.V. into a tinee-tiny parking space.  I mean, how the hell was I supposed to know that he would try such a stupid thing?  When he exited his car stopped in front of me and walked up to my car window to tell me that I needed to STOP and let him back in, I believe I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh.  I tried to think of something sarcastically witty to say.  But I couldn’t think of anything.  Then I commenced to sit in my truck an additional five minutes as he backed in, pulled forward, backed in, pulled forward again and again, until he had it just right.  I really hope that I don’t know the guy.  There’s a good chance.  I just wasn’t in the right state of mind today, even after my run, to realize whether I’ve seen this school parent before. 

Tomorrow, I’m hoping for a better attitude, a self-forgiveness for my selfishness and a smile for everyone, even dufuses who try to back their SUVs into small spaces in crowded parking lots.  

The atrocious water damage on Wood Canyon Trail after a storm so fierce it closed down the trails:

Running off toward Mentally Sensitive:

Snapping photos as I run up Psycho-Path:

Running along ridge toward Top of the World:

Car Wreck Trail:

Miles logged this morning:  9.85 (15.85 mi)