The Road to The Top of the World

This morning I took another journey to Top of the World in Laguna Beach.  How many times have I made that trip?  I can’t say.  I can say that it’s never terrible, even the hardest portions.  And the prize is such a delight – a grand view of the Pacific Ocean, The Saddleback Mountains and The San Gabriels. 

This morning the weather was cool and gray, even slightly damp.  I came upon several hikers on West Ridge, some cyclists and countless bluish lizards doing push-ups in the dirt.  The road to Top of the World is never boring.  Today, I was practically in a trance when I noticed that what I thought was a branch sticking out of the dirt was really a gopher.  At times deer roam the road.  Once I saw a bobcat run across it.  Several rattlers have made themselves known to me on the way to Top of the World.  But, not today.  The weather was just too cool for rattlers to stretch out across the road.  Sometimes I reach the top and there’s so many people, it’s like a party.  Today, I was the only person.  And that is sometimes a joy.  Like it was today. 

The Road to Top of the World:

Made it!

Thirteen Miles of HOT, Joyful HOT

I couldn’t believe the large number of cars parked at Aliso Wood Canyons this morning.  Yet, in over thirteen miles of trails, I saw only three or four other people.  Where were all the others?  Perhaps they were picnicking in the meadows.  I don’t think so.  The meadows have now turned brown.  Maybe they were breaking the rules and going off trail.  Nah.  I think most of the visitors found a good spot of shade.  It was HOT today.  A lovely, dry hot.  But then, every so often I was awarded a nice cool breeze.  Beautiful.

Stretching ever-so-slightly tight calves and shins about two miles in: 

A long, lonely path through the meadow on my way to the big Climb:

The Big Climb:

Top of the World:

Wood Canyon:

The Profile:

Into the Wild / Limestone Canyon 20k

Recently, I decided I need to run a short race.  Short?  What I mean is, a race that’s shorter than I’ve run lately.  I don’t think “short” means easier.  The race I picked in fact has a great deal of elevation gain for the number of miles.  I thought “short” would help me pick up my pace.  I also wanted a race that I could actually finish.   After a quick search, I read that Limestone Canyon 20K didn’t “technically” have a time limit.  Into the Wild even posted something like, “you will have ample time, even if you have to walk.”  Well, this was my race!!

Limestone Canyon is a protected area in the Santa Ana Mountains that we can only gain access through the Irvine Conservancy, or through special events.  I’ve run Limestone Canyon before, with a docent from the Irvine Conservancy.  So, I knew the trails were no walk in the park.  This was my first Into the Wild race. 

Into the Wild put on two events today:  a 12k and a 20k.  When I learned that the vast majority of the runners were running the 12k, and only a handful were running the 20k (37 runners according to the results page), I knew I was going to be running by myself, perhaps coming in DFL.  I’m already a back of the pack runner on the trails.  You put me in a race with hundreds or thousands of runners, I can come in around the middle of the field.  A race with around a hundred, or even worse, less than 50, I’m going to struggle handing off the honorable DFL.

I’ll tell you one thing for sure.  Those 20k runners, they kicked ass!  My marathon plus pace CANNOT keep up with these runners.  They take off fast.  And they don’t seem to slow down. 

We took off on fire road and quickly made it to a single track and a steep uphill, and then more steep uphills.  The trail was exposed and quite warm.  I felt okay, happy to be on the run.  Shins felt good.  Arches taped, my feet felt strong.  I remained with a crowd for some miles, actually up until the 12k runners split from us 20kers (around mile 4.5).  At that point, one woman ran a short ways ahead, and past her I could see another woman.  With all the twists and turns in the trails, I couldn’t see any other runners for quite some time.

Traffic Jam:

The field spreads out:

Finally, after about 6 miles, I headed down.  For a bit, the trail was technical, single track.  But then it turned to gorgeous fire road in and out of trees with lush canopies.  Occasionally, I spotted two runners off ahead.  But I was never close to catching them.  I resolved to keep running strong.  But I also resolved that I would be taking the honorable DFL. 

And then the trail began to climb slightly.  Through the trees, I could see one runner up a ways.  She was hiking the slight inclines, but she was still far enough away that I couldn’t catch her.  Onward I ran in the sweltering heat through the lovely valleys. 

Approaching Aid #2:

Then I lost her, the other runner.  I always lost her on the downhills.  But then we began a climb at about mile 8.5.  Suddenly the woman appeared not too far ahead of me.  She was actually within reaching distance.  As she hiked up that climb I gave it all I had and RAN up the hill.  I tried to run quietly so that she wouldn’t realize that I was gaining on her.  It took me a good half mile to come up directly behind her.  Just when I could have collapsed, I passed her and handed off the honorable DFL, at least for now.

She smiled and said, “Hi!”  I smiled as well, then commented awkwardly about the scorching heat.  With a downhill quickly approaching, I knew that I needed to gun it to keep my lead.  Strategic thoughts ran through my head on how to keep this lead for 3 1/2 miles.  Don’t look back, I told myself.  Don’t let up! 

I did look back.  She was no where in sight.  I knew though, I could not let up.  If I was going to stay away from the honorable DFL, I had to push hard.  If not, I was certain that she would pass me on the downhill. 

Well, I broke my rule about looking back, and looked back frequently.  Occasionally, she gained on me.  And I pushed onward as quickly as I could, even though I felt I couldn’t take another step.  I began to think that it would have been better to pass her with only a mile left.  Keeping the lead for 3 1/2 miles was almost too much to bear.  I couldn’t let up for 3 1/2 miles!!!!!  I told myself that if this is her usual distance, then I’ve got her.  I can put up with pure hell misery running for hours and hours.  This was my only advantage.  Speed was not my advantage.  Endurance was.  I kept running, while she hiked the uphills and flats.  How do I know this?  BECAUSE I KEPT LOOKING BACK! 

As I approached Aid #3, I saw another female runner sitting in the shade.  As soon as she saw me, she stood and ran onward in a rush.  I could see another runner, a male, not too far ahead of her.  I ran straight past Aid #3 without stopping.  And I believe the woman behind me did the same.  She was gaining on me!!!

I constantly looked at my garmin.  I was so fatigued, I needed badly to let up (that is take it easy for a bit).  Finally, in the last half mile, I looked back and didn’t see my pursuer.  Still, I didn’t trust that.  I gunned it in to the finish line, placing 36 out of 37 runners. 

Mama Mia!  I think “short” runs are much harder than the long distances. 

Though I hung around a bit at the staging area, I didn’t see the woman who came in behind me.  We must have been parked in different lots.  I would have liked to throw her a smile and thank her for a dang hard run race. 

As far as Into the Wild as a race event goes, I do recommend them.  The race directors, husband and wife, are friendly and organized.  They supplied plenty of fuel and fluids.  I also got a nice shirt and even a finisher’s medal.  My only critique is that their aid stations were not evenly spaced.  Aid number 3 was only about a mile away from the finish.  Most of the runners (oddly) did not carry water.  They definitely would have needed water before the last aid.  I think in a 20k, aid should be as close as possible to every 5 kilometers. 

Oh!  One more thing.  I placed first in my category (gender/age) group!  Muhahahaha. 

Sporadic Running

Miles have been so sporadic lately.  It makes me nervous.  This shouldn’t make me nervous.  Why?  The answer lies in why I run.  I run because I love an adventure; I love running trails; I love to sweat.  So, why does sporadic miles make me nervous?  It’s because I fear that I will somehow fall ridiculously out of shape, that I won’t be able to run for fun. (Remember there was a time when I couldn’t run a neighborhood block, a time when I couldn’t even sit an hour without a cigarette).   But now, after at least 15 years of not smoking, and some years of running, running and learning, I CAN FUN FOR FUN.  I can!  (Just as long as I run a couple times a week.). 

THIS WEEK, we have had only ONE car.  Yes, I mentioned my truck is making a loud noise.  But my truck is still running (and I’m praying that I get it to the shop before it stops running).  Meanwhile, hubby’s car konked out this week.  Konked out as in, died.  Would not turn over, etc.  This of course, made running trails impossible.  I’ve also had that nasty computer crash, which means I haven’t tallied my actual miles or elevation gain.  But all that has been moot.  It’s really moot.  We have a friend in hospice care right now, which is most on my mind at the moment.  I haven’t visited him, yet I left an awkward voicemail on his phone.  We are all heart-broken in our home right now.  Yet, we don’t show it so much.  As most in the human race, we try to cover. 

I’ve also got senior high school students struggling to finish credit recovery in time to finish for graduation (a mere 4 weeks away!!).  All this is life.  It’s no harder or easier than others.  It’s just my life.  And like most, I think, I’ve got countless neglected aspirations and necessities to boot as well.  {I have to take something back.  I believe lots of people have a harder life than I do}

Good news is, as of this evening (Thursday) we have two working cars.  Yay! 

Before I knew that, I was able to steal our one car away and squeeze in a “short” trail run to The Top of the World in Laguna Beach this morning.  Miles totaled 6.5.  I fared pretty dang decently, especially with the extra weight I’ve put on, and the sporadic miles I’ve been running.  Best of all, I enjoyed myself.  I enjoyed the moment.  I enjoyed my life.  I enjoyed this glorious earth . . .   Yes, it’s true.  Really . . . this is what running can do.  

Prickly Pear are in bloom!  Fabulous.

Headed toward Top of the World:

Yup, this is it, Top of the World, a view of the Pacific Ocean from Laguna Beach, California:

Miles and elevation gained on this delightful morning:

Trail Box Launch / Review

When I was a child I traveled to Seattle with my parents.  Several of the stores had “grab bags” for sale.  I got to pick out a brown paper bag with no idea what was inside.  These were always filled with fun little goodies, toys and such.  Great fun!  It’s a fond childhood memory.  Well, I recently learned that there’s something quite similar for trail running.  At Trail-box.com you can purchase a box a month with trail running tools / essentials.  (The deal for their launch is that you pay $1 for the first month, $10 for the second month.  That’s $11 for 2 months, and you buy when you want.  No obligation to purchase every month).  When Trail Box contacted me with an offer to try out their box I jumped at the chance.  The idea brought back those fond memories of Seattle.

Very quickly I received a plain wrapped package with a box inside, just like the one below (picture taken from their facebook page):

This is what I received:  Trailwind Endurance Fuel (Mandarin Orange powder shake with 4 servings), 1 Energy Electro Delytes Citrus Bar, 2 OnTheGo “towels for men” (for the private parts rashing situations), 2 Tecnu samples and coupon (medicated poison ivy scrub), and lastly, a sturdy plastic, sealable Tecnu pouch. 

Well, that pouch made this trail box well worth it for me!  I immediately thought that it was a perfect map holder.  Do you recall the time I got lost on Texas trails?  I pulled out my map to find it disintegrated from my sweat.  This pouch would have come in very handy then.  It can basically hold any small item, like a phone, that needs moisture protection.  And it has an adjustable cord to conveniently carry or attach if you don’t just shove it into your pack like I will. 

The Tecno cream and OnTheGo towels I will not personally use.  So far, I have been immune to poison oak, but it’s small enough that I can put it in my pack for someone else to use.  And the OnTheGo towels, I’ll keep those on me as well.  I have run with several males who could have used these (probably more that I know, because some guys don’t really talk about this need to female runners).

Lastly, the big surprise for me was the Electro Delytes Energy bar.  It was absolutely DELICIOUS.  I’m just just saying that.  I truly found it delightful, like a lemony desert.  I’m not one to try new energy bars because I have my usuals.  Now, I’ve added another to my list of regulars.

I think Trail Box is a fun and inexpensive idea.  It goes with the adventurer in me that’s always looking forward to a surprise.   The best part was the variety, enclosing items that cover an array of trail running needs.  

Thanks Trail Box for letting me sample!

At Last!

I have been sick over the past week.  At the same time, I’ve been working more hours than ever (well, not really ever, but more than in a long time).  While I wasn’t working I slept.  And when I was working, I was hopped up on “severe cold” medicine.  It tasted like brandy.  Yucky.  To make matters worse, I couldn’t run.  I was just too ill.  And that depressed me.

Yesterday, I received terribly bad news about a friend.  My heart was broken.  I needed to run.  Instead, I slept and slept.

Then yesterday, my computer also crashed.  This time for good.  My truck then began running with an unusual, disturbing noise.  Yet, the computer and car news are nothing compared to our friend’s.  They are only things.  People.  That’s what is important.  Friends and family.  Oh, and trail running.   

This morning, it was time.  I felt well for more than 18 hours.  It was time to run.  I woke easily at 4:30 AM, drove under darkness at 5:15 AM into the lovely canyon town called Silverado.  Only two other cars were parked at the Maple Springs trailhead.  But I saw no one. 

I wondered how I’d handle running uphill for 7.5 miles after an entire week off from running.  I thought it might find it brutally difficult.  Surprisingly, I simply took off running in the cool misty morning, as if nothing was amiss.  Birds sang and chirped so loudly, I thought it sounded like a jungle.  Purple lupin were in full bloom.  So were an array of different yellow, red and violet flowers. 

Running the first few miles of paved uphill on Maple Springs Road:

I warmed up right away, but didn’t want to stop to unlayer until I reached a good stopping place – something with a good lookout and a spot to set my camera for shots.  I actually have a specific stopping point on Maple Springs.  It’s at about mile four.  I don’t like to stop too much because taking off and putting back on the pack takes too much time.  When I finally reached that point, I set the camera on timed release for a quick show of the process.  (Yes, I’m silly like that)

Ready to roll:

As I ran the remainder of Maple Springs, I took in awesome beauty.  At the same time, my mind began to roam.  I sobbed once for our friend.  Then I forced myself not to think.  When anything passed my mind, I forcefully told myself, “DO NOT THINK.  ENJOY THE MOMENT.”

I spotted a deer up ahead on the way up.  She hopped away like a bunny.  I saw another on the way down.  May have been the same doe.  She hopped away like a bunny as well.  I didn’t see a single person on my way up.  At “Four Corners” where I fully expect to find cyclists and runners, I was completely alone.  It was glorious.  The air was wet.  The mist was so thick I couldn’t even see Modjeska Peak which was a mere mile away. 

A view (or non-view) of Modjeska Peak from “Four Corners.”

A quick stop at “Four Corners” before heading down:

Going down:

So glad to run today.  So, so glad

Miles run:  15.59 (25.09k)  Elevation gain: 4,223’ (1,287.2m)