Thrashed

I originally planned my hike for Saturday with a ten+ miler that I knew would kick my butt. My desire was to get absolutely thrashed. And thrashed I was when I returned from Black Star Canyon. I felt like I had run an ultra. I really had no idea that my arm would ache from the swinging back and forth for 11 miles. Turns out, I do need arms to hike!

With my longest hike since my December injuries being only 5.5 relatively flat miles, I knew Black Star Canyon (which is not tricky at all, just a dirt truck trail) would be difficult. But you may know, I like difficult. Actually, I love difficult.

The morning was crisp and cold, just how I like it. But as I made my way up that steep incline, I realized I had dressed a little too warm for a sunny day in spring. After layering down a bit, I made it to my secret spot in about two hours. I felt good, not necessarily strong, but not aching. I had the entire spot where my secret spot is nestled to myself and hung out there for about an hour before heading back down the mountain.

I continued to feel good for much of the hike back. I could tell though that my body was merely moving automatically, not because I had any desire at all to move. I have to say, one of the greatest things I’ve learned in my life is how to keep on moving (mentally or physically) when I’m dead-dog-tired. This little characteristic has helped me out a great deal. And it helped me on Saturday to get back to the truck. My body was so fatigued, I knew that I had accomplished my goal. I was thrashed but wouldn’t feel the full affects for the next couple hours – I knew that because I’ve been through this before.

After the 45 minute drive home, I could barely move to get out of my truck. I kind of just fell out, landing on my feet on the front lawn. My husband who could see me from inside the house, came out to help me up the steps into our home. He’s also been through this before.

Wow. Finally. It’s been too long!

Black Star Canyon Road:Baker’s Cross:

My Secret Spot:

Lupin:
Morning Glory:

11 miles total (will upload watch later & upload elevation gain here)

Backup Plan

I was looking forward to trying out some steeper hills to test out my calf on Wednesday (3/23). So, I drove up Pacific Coast Highway to Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach (the Top of the World area). But then I had to ditch those plans when I realized that my pack bladder sprung a leak! And so I drove back home and did a 5 mile walkabout in my own town. It was beautiful. The weather was nice. But it wasn’t the same. I walked barefoot on the sand for a while. Even waded in the surf. Most of time though my feet came down on cement. My feet were definitely sore back at home (I’ve spoiled them with dirt!)

 

Step Two

Having suffered no adverse effects from my the flagpole hike, I set out for Step Two this past Monday (3/21). I chose a nice and easy hike in Aliso and Wood Canyon, and really didn’t push it at all. The Aliso to Wood Canyon hike is always a good one for an easy, relaxed and off and on shady hike, especially if you stop by the caves.

5 miles, felt fine (but then again, this hike has very little elevation gain!).

Until next time ~

Aliso Canyon (Soka University off to right):Inside Dripping aka. Robbers Cave:
Up on top of Cave Rock:Hiking down side of Cave Rock:Backside of Cave Rock:

Am I Out?

I’ve grown weary with the piled-on injuries status, and a little worried too. I mean, is this how it’s going to always be now, am I out?

With the mountains turning green and starting to bloom in December in my state, I’ve also been growing rather anxious watching spring from the sidelines. This is how I’ve been talking to myself as the weeks turned into months: “Calm down Lauren, you’ve seen spring in the mountains many, many times – in fact, you are blessed with mountain springtime experiences, don’t be so selfish! You are extremely blessed with what you have already been given!!!”

This past Saturday (3/19) I finally got out to walk on some dirt – a short hike really, and I didn’t want to do it. I had to force myself out the door. And then I drove 5 minutes to the closest trails. I just wanted to test out my physical abilities.

The worst of my physical pains is my left arm. Thankfully, though I need my arm to run, I don’t need it so much to hike. Removing the pack can be a pain – a minor inconvenience!  What I really wanted to do is put a few miles in on hilly terrain. I wanted to see if my torn calf had indeed fully healed. I can say after my first experiment, I believe it has healed. 

The hike was a beautiful 4 miles just before some rain came in that night. Lots of mountain bikers were out, a few e-bikes as well. On the way in, I had a nice long conversation with another hiker about coyotes, fishing and bears. In the end, it was good to get out and I felt relieved.

Experiment 1 is complete. Step 2 is to get out again to make doubly make sure the calf is good.

Some pics from Experiment 1:

Long View Park

So, my leg, or rather, my left side has not fully recovered from my fall at Holy Jim Falls. I don’t yet have full motion of my left arm (specifically, my shoulder) and it hurts terribly when I forget and reach back in any way. Then there’s the left knee that throbs out of nowhere. One minute it’s fine, the next it’s throbbing. My torn calf muscle on the other hand, seemed to heal up fine. “Seemed” is the key word because while I’m fine doing chores and everyday walking, my calf feels weird and kind of wobbly if I walk too much.

Anyway, injury update out of the way. Covid visited our household as well. I did not catch it (tested negative twice) but there was the quarantine time, which I abided by. This of course meant staying home. We had groceries delivered and hunkered down. When I tested out of quarantine on January 26, it felt great just to get back in the grocery store.

A few days later (1/30), I decided to try out my legs again. I had been wanting to see Long View Park after hiking Long View Park Trail only to find the gate to the park locked from that end. I shortened the walk up quite a bit by driving up to Trader Joe’s in Laguna Niguel and parking in their lot on Golden Lantern. From there I headed down Del Avion toward San Juan Creek and walked through the pedestrian gate (open only during daylight hours) of the prestigious Bear Brand neighborhood. From there, I used my Life360 App to find a park that had an asphalt switchback trail lined with Eucalyptus trees. The climb was a little more than I expected (there’s me under-estimating again!) but it was short (and lovely).

The ocean views began before I reached the top. When I did reach Long View Park, the views were spectacular for 360 degrees. I could see the Santa Ana Mountains and the San Gabriels beyond that. I had the entire park to myself. Of course, I spent much time exploring the place. I found lots of sitting spots and a painted rock garden. I also took the trail down to the locked gate where I had hiked to a couple weeks prior.

When I headed back, I took a different route over a grassy slope down into a neighborhood that dumped me out much lower on Del Avion than where I started. My climb back up to Golden Lantern was not what I had planned but I enjoyed the struggle nonetheless. In all, I the round trip was just over two miles. My calf wasn’t happy back at home. I don’t think it’s quite healed yet.