Memorial Day Long run

I have yet to write a short blog on a long run.  Next time . . . maybe next time.

I set out about 40 minutes late this morning.  First off, I poured the coffee grounds where I was supposed to pour the water, then I got off to other things, like getting ready, which takes now quite a bit of time for long runs.  Then my middle boy woke, and I had to say hi to him and set him up for the morning.  So I wasn’t running out the door until 7:15 AM. 

I pack quite a bit on these “long” runs.  In my pockets, I’ve got an array of bandaids.  In my belt I pack a phone, camera (of course), calories (490 today), gum, chapstick and in my handheld I’ve got a power drink and tucked in the handle two powdered pedialytes.  Of course, I bring along my ipod and sunglasses.  Then there’s the prep beforehand: sunscreen and anti-chaffing on about every inch of skin I can reach.  It’s not just a lace-up-my-shoes-thing-and-scoot-out-the-door, like I kind of thought it would be before I began running about 7 years ago.  But when I did scoot out the door, even though I wasn’t so gleeful about it at first, I was oh so glad, minutes in.

That “everything is beautiful” oddly set in right away.  It usually doesn’t hit me so soon.  Everything was so beautiful that I nearly pulled my camera out to take a photo of a Chronic Tacos sign – the deep red was in lovely contrast to the dark gray skies.

When I set out for a long run, I cannot think about the total miles.  I must break it down into legs.  I learned today, the fewer number of legs the better.  This morning my broke my 21+ miles into 8 legs which was way too many.  Eight legs is nearly as bad as 22 miles. 

Nearly as bad?  Why would I say such a thing when I love to run?  It’s an odd thing.  Truth is, if I think about the total mileage that lies ahead, I grow anxious, so much so, that I either want to quit, or worst yet, don’t even want to start at all.  I need to keep in the moment.  I guess that’s one of the reasons I like running – because I keep in the moment.  That’s a hard task for me.  I’m The Planner.  I’m ALWAYS looking ahead.  When I run, I finally have that freedom of the moment.  I’m mostly in the present, which is a glorious place to be. 

Needless to say 8 legs is a bit too long.  Even the last marathon I ran, I broke into five legs, plus a tad more (five legs of five miles, plus 1.2).  This morning, I found myself struggling knowing there were 8, 7, 6 or even 5 more legs to run. 

There’s A LOT of things I’ve got to learn more than once in life.  Sadly.  Or not.

LEG ONE consisted of 5.22 miles, which included taking off on a downhill on Hwy 1.  I ran through the community park, then hopped up on the river walk (aka bike trail), which I took in its entirety, even through the closed areas.  I ran past the Los Rios District and across the train tracks.  Even on Memorial Day, there were workers waiting on the corner for work (I saw one fortunate soul get picked for a job).  From there I crossed Camino Capistrano, then back over again into downtown San Juan Capistrano, then back to the depot where I met leg 2. 

The River Walk (aka. bike trail, a lonely trail this early on a holiday morning)

Ducks playing in the river (aka. creek)

Bridge closed off from my end (notice chain link fence on left), but I easily traversed beneath the bridge to cross on over into downtown

The River (aka San Juan Creek)

Catholic Church downtown

Making my way toward train depot

LEG TWO consisted of 4.02 miles.  I crossed over the train tracks for leg two, and began a lovely run through the Los Rios District.  I grew extra trigger happy here where I eventually needed to back-track to make my way back onto the river walk.  I ran a slight detour through Creekside park.  And the little ones were out!  People were starting to venture out by now, bringing their children to play at Creekside.  Back on the river walk, I ran it in its entirety, ending leg two at the life guard headquarters in Doheny Beach.  The skies were again gray, as was the ocean. 

Crossing over into Los Rios District

 

Creekside Park

Back on the river walk (aka bike trail)

Ending Leg two coming into Doheny Beach, the bike path is flooded and I must get my feet wet here (that or cross Highway 1 above)

LEG THREE consisted of 4.55 miles.  I ran along through the campground 4 times (about a .4 mile loop with a bacon aroma) then onward to Capistrano Beach.  The memorial day crowd was setting up, flags, bbqs, bikes, kids, dogs – the works.  When I ran to the end of the sidewalk, I turned around and made my way back past the campgrounds, into Doheny.

Doheny Campground

Capistrano Beach

 Bubble Pacific / stopped and chatted with the artist at this RV for a bit

LEG FOUR consisted of 1.42 miles.   I needed a short leg, as I was getting a little stiff.  But I still felt good.  I ran through Doheny along the waterfront as cyclists, walkers and runners crowded the road.  Outside of the state park, I ran down to the jetty where a multitude of fishermen had their lines in the bay waters. 

Doheny snackbar & bike rental

 

LEG FIVE (thankfully) was another short one, only 1.28 miles.  I ran into the wharf, along the marina, then beneath the bridge and up and over it. 

Running over bridge to end 5th leg.

LEG SIX consisted of 2.14 miles.  I began to tire during leg six.  Fortunately it was a short run, basically the entire island and back over to the mainland.  My calves threatened to cramp.  The sun shined down brightly, and I considered shortening up the run some.  (But I didn’t.)

Running the island

LEG SEVEN consisted of 1.78 miles.  Off of the bridge, I ran along the marina, the picnic areas now packed with memorial day celebrators.  I stopped to stretch out my calves at the cliffs and thought it would have been wise to pack some salt for this run. 

Baby Beach

LEG 8 was only 1.03 miles.  But more than half of it was uphill – up Pacific Coast Highway.  Not sure whether I’d be able to run it all back home without cramps attacking, I ran into Jack-in-the-Box and downed a packet of salt (straight!)  I didn’t make eye contact with any of the customers, but if anyone noticed, they must have thought I was crazy.  Turned out, that salt works pretty quickly, as I ran on up the highway home to complete this Memorial Day long run.

Final Leg – oh so tired!!!

Upon reaching home, I walked about the front and back yards for quite some time.  Grabbed a banana, stretched for probably twenty minutes, drank some cold water.  Then I iced my hips as I sat down for a small serving of tortellini and marinara sauce. 

Miles logged:  21.44 miles

Running when I'm not running

Did a little time at the Disney Resort with my family today.  "Doin' Time" is a good way to put it, because after a few hours, I'm ready to cop a plea -- "Yes!  I did it!  Just lock me away. "

Kiddin'. (Well . . . )

Actually, there are times when the boys are probably thinking, "Uhhh, Mom, you can go sit down now . . ."

I'm talking about the Brother Bear playground in California Adventure, where there's a multitude of bridges, and ramps and slides.  There's like a maze of rope bridges crossing here and there with plenty of kids and moms and dads huffing and puffing their way through them.

Here's where being a runner (not even a very good runner) has its advantages:  You can pretty much scale these rope bridges in a leaping bound, blowing away everyone (unless of course you come across another runner).  That's a lifter, because in my running world, I don't blow away anyone.

My eight-year-old and five-year-old were having a tough time going up and down those rope bridges.  It really is hard to traverse them slowly as they swing back and forth.  I knew that -- it's just like some trails, better to haul a** down them, then take them too slowly. 

"Help Mommy," my five-year-old sang out as he clinged to the siding of the rope maze.  I took him by the hand and ran him all the way up, swinging wildly in the wind as he screamed in delight.  I did the same for my eight-year-old, mainly on the down hill, until neither of them wanted to take my hand anymore (my ten-year-old didn't even think of taking my hand).  The two youngest, after going on a wild ride with me, decided they'd rather cling to the edges and gingerly make their way up and down the bridge mazes.  I'm not about that -- I'm about "do it, get it done."  It's my strong point.  And it's my downfall.  Anyway . . .

No way to count the miles logged today, though I did run plenty.  More importantly, it was a fun day.  And before it all began, as the rest of the clan slept, I got in four sets of planks.  I'm getting better.  I did them all without hollering outloud (it helps to do planks at 6:00 in the morning, because I'm less apt to yell out in agony.  Instead I suffer silently). 

Happy weekend everyone!!  Hope you get in some good runs.  And if you can't run because of injury or some other reason, may you still find some peace.  : ))

My Short Run

I planned all along to run 4 miles this morning.  And even with all that planning, I worked and worked on convincing myself to put in more miles as I drove to the marina.  Let's face it.  I'm a glutton -- no easy way to get around it.  But today, the reasonable me won out.  And I really did just run four miles this morning.  I ran over the bridge to the harbor island, then back over for some more in and about the wharf.  Since I was only running four miles, I decided to play with it some.  Every now and then (about ten times total) I ran an all-out pace.  Well, not exactly an All-Out, not like a tiger was chasing me or anything like that.  Faster though than my 5k race pace, more like an 85% all-out.  Hopefully, this will increase my speed a tad.

Miles logged this morning:  FOUR : )

Sportin' a New Do' on a Loop to the Top

The one reason that has kept me from cutting my hair is running.  I thought that I NEEDED to pull my hair back into a ponytail to run.  Well, I ran a loop to the Top of the World this morning with a new do' and found out it ain't so.  I can run without a ponytail.  I can!

Running up Cholla Trail trying to catch cyclist (never did)

Overlooking the Pacific At Top of the World after cool, but sweaty, yet joyous run up Westridge Trail

After feeling so weak again with this weight training, I felt strong this morning upon reaching the top.  Prior to today's run, I actually felt like my hips were getting weaker!  Of course, that's a big worry with me.  Weak hips means I'm going down for the count one of these days SOON.  Today tells me that I've got to keep up the strength training, despite the fact that I have not learned to love it (I suspect one of these days I will).

Just when I entered the park again on Meadows end, a hawk swooped down into the grass.  And then like a thief, it snagged a snake and took off for flight.  Then like nothing the bird seemed to lazily meander in flight making his way closer to Meadows trail.  There he swooped back down into the brush to, I suppose, gobble up the snake.

These are the sort of things I get to see on the trail.

Making my way back into the park, via trail behind Top of the World homes

Running down Meadows (Eyes alert for snakes)

Bottom of Meadows Trail, about 4 miles left to run

Deer on Wood Canyon Trail

Miles logged this morning:  10.2

Group Run In Aliso/Wood Canyons

I have been dead-dog tired all week, which I partially contribute to weight training.  I haven’t run since Tuesday, or so (can’t quite recall without looking it up).  Anyway, I dreamed, it seemed all night long, that I was preparing for a run.  The night grew later and later.  Rushing about, I finally sat down to tie my laces and panicked at reading the clock.  It read 9:45 (PM!) and I thought to myself (in my dream) that there’s no way I can run at 10 o’ clock!!! I was bummed.  And then at that instant, my cell phone alarm went off.  And I was really bummed.  It was 5:30 AM.  I had rsvp’d for a group run, and though I was still dead-dog tired, I knew that I HAD to drag myself out of bed and get out there. 

Why?  1) Because I NEED to run, whether I feel like it or not.  2) I would eventually get into it once I got myself out the door and 3) this morning’s group run was at Aliso/Wood Canyons Park –- my home-sweet-home trails.  

   
The Gang this morning running Aliso/Wood Canyon Trails
(Dylan, Phil, Tom, Sheila, Kelly, Marcus, Me, Cathy & Vincent at the Aliso Creek  / Wood Canyon Trail intersection)

I arrived to the park at 7:00 AM precisely (as is my custom – to arrive right on the dot, that is).  A police car drove up and down the street as a border control car screeched into the parking lot.  While meeting up with the group, I noticed a border agent jump out of his car, run across the park lot and run into the brush. (I learned later that several more police cars arrived as well as a helicopter).

There were 11 of us running this morning (though only 10 are pictured above).  I felt pretty good, keeping up the rear as is also my custom.  The posted run was for a 9 mile out-and-back up to the end of the ever lovely Wood Canyon Trail.  The skies were gray, the air cool – perfect running weather.  We saw deer along the way, stopped for a few quick photo ops. 

Kelly, Me, Phil, & two deer in the stars (Tom’s Photo)

I shall not go on and on, especially since these are the trails that I run regularly.  What a treat to run with friends that I’ve run with before (Tom, Sheila, Kelly and Dylan – Dylan by the way ran his first 50k recently – congrats on finishing and with such a great time!).  And what a treat running with newer members (not necessarily newer runners): Cathy and her husband, Vincent, Phil and Sheila’s husband Marcus – Like I always say, and I really do (used to sing it in Girl Scouts) “Make new friends and keep the old.  One is Silver and the other Gold.”

ANYWAY, upon reaching the end of Wood Canyon Trail, Sheila, Marcus, Kelly, Dylan, Phil and myself continued on up Cholla, onward and upward to Top of the World.  The others turned around for a 9 mile out-and-back – a pleasant run that I’ve had the pleasure of running once or twice : )

End of Wood Canyon Trail, base of Cholla Trail

I NEEDED to run to Top of the World, I needed the agony of hills.  Agony in the end equals ecstasy (it’s not the “agony and ecstasy of defeat” however, it’s the “agony and ecstasy of” triumph.)  Though it’s never easy, the company and conversation made it seem quicker.  From Top of the World, we ran across the asphalt through the neighborhoods to enter the park again and run down that gorgeous switch-back called Meadows Trail.  What a thrill!

Top of the World (Kelly, Sheila, Marcus, Phil, Dylan, Me)
 
Miles logged:  11.64

In Search of Falls

I read on the internet that there is another waterfall in Trabuco Canyon besides the Holy Jim Falls.  Since I didn't have much that I HAD to do this morning (there's always plenty to do), I dragged invited my husband along for a hike in search of these falls. 

We found it!  We missed it the first time driving up Trabuco Creek Road.  After turning around at the Holy Jim parking lot, we drove that bumpy road back about a mile, looking closely through the forest of trees for a canyon where another stream dumps into Trabuco.  And there it was!  Well within the area where an Adventure Pass is required, there's a thin canyon north of the road.

The hike is relatively easy -- no major boulder hopping, no super steep inclines.  There's a thin trail that runs back and forth from one side to the other of the stream, with plenty of rocks and logs to balance your way across.   The stream flows pretty good and there's lots of poisin oak to watch out for.  It's shady and cool and in the end a waterfall with about a forty foot drop greets you.  Lovely.  Simply lovely.

The hike to this waterfall is relatively short. From the road it took us only seventeen minutes to get there, and about the same on the return trip. But that's taking it pretty quickly -- I worked up a good sweat.

Coming off the road, making way to Trabuco Creek

Hiking along Trabuco Creek, headed toward that canyon we missed on the way in

Hiking up the canyon in search of waterfall

Look Closely between "V" in trees for the waterfall

It really is a waterfall!



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