Emerald Canyon

“Pain or damage don’t end the world.  Or despair, or f****** beatings.  The world ends when you’re dead.  Until then, you got more punishment  in store.  Stand it like a man . . . and give some back.”

Al Swearengen (Deadwood)

Somewhere along the line, I seemed to have lost my training.  I thought it was the car accident, but really, it’s been seeping away for a while.  In fact, it seems to have happened when I vowed to get stronger.  The more strength training I do, the weaker I feel.  And when I run lately, especially with this lingering ache (& lingering depression)  from the accident, I AM TIRED.

(I do have a doctor’s appointment set up for early next week for the ache, hopefully that will help with the depression as well.)

And so, the story of this morning’s run is one of lagging, feeling like I have no groove.  On the good side, I ran with two OCTR friends, Sheila and Tom.  We began on an uphill along Bommer ridge in Irvine, then made our way down into a gorgeous, overgrown Emerald Canyon.  Along the way, we spooked a bobcat, who simply stood on the trail and stared us down for a bit before taking off. 

Emerald Canyon dead-ends at the back of the Emerald Bay Community in Laguna Beach.  After a quick break, we headed back for a nice long run UP to the ridge (though the beginning climb was not so bad).  We turned off onto the Old Emerald Falls trail, I believe, another wonderful single track – love those single tracks.  And at one point, I recall Tom mentioning that we were running along another trail named “Fence Line.”

As tired, and as defeated that I’ve felt lately, I have to say that I’d do today’s run again.  And again, and again, and again . . .

 Heading down to Emerald Canyon? Or is this Bommer Ridge?

 Bushwhacking thru overgrown single track

 Canyon Walls

 Begins to look like a another world, the deeper we get into the canyon

 

Heading back up, stopping to snap a photo of this giant Dudleya brittonii (a nice excuse to rest : ) 

Almost to the top (looking back)

Miles logged Saturday morning:  10.1

Borrowed from Tom (I hope he doesn’t mind : > ) / Our route in blue

Technorati Tags: Bommer Ridge,Emerald Canyon,Emerald Falls Trail,Fence Line Trail,El Moro,Crystal Cove,Trail Running

All Alone in Aliso / Wood Canyons

I went for a solo run in the wilderness this morning.  The air was so heavy with water, one might have said it was raining. The skies were gray, the marine layer thick. A perfect day for a gloomy run.

Feeling weak both physically and mentally lately (especially after the car accident), I needed this run.  I didn’t feel like making this run, that’s why I did it solo.  I didn’t want to hold anyone back.  It’s time though, time to get back on track

Me at the start of Aliso Canyon Trail (not too cheery)

I chose the loop that took me to the end of Wood Canyon, up Cholla Trail, across the ridge to Top of the World where I met Meadows Trail to take it on down.   Slow to start, and slow to end, I just ran.  And I ran, and I ran and I ran . . .  (and I took a few pictures too).

Running in Aliso Canyon on this Eerie Morn’

First Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon (no wet feet on this trail)

2nd Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon

 

Everything was beautiful right away today, despite the gloom.  I mostly thought about nothing, occasionally fighting against intruding thoughts.  And then I turned a bend in the trail (past the old corral, before the 3rd creek crossing) and there they were – two deer feeding on the grass.  They didn’t move, one continued grazing, the other trotted across the trail to graze further away.  I’m still astonished when I come upon deer on the trail.

Beauties

3rd Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail

Solitude & Beauty (a nice combination)

4th & Final Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail (standing on pipe, sandbags off to left)

A Quick look back on Wood Canyon while running up Cholla Trail

A Foggy Westridge & not a soul around

Looking down on Laguna Canyon Road, the Pacific Ocean hidden

Heading down Meadows Trail

Back in the Canyon

Miles logged:  11.74

Thoughts:  close to zero

Rewards:  lots

Quail Hill

I went out this morning for OCTR’s New Member Run at Quail Hill in Irvine.  We had quite a turn-out.  Eleven runners showed up for this 7:00 AM run. 

The skies were cloudy, the air was cool.  I wore my new hydration pack (Ultimate Direction), the one I’ll wear from here on out, at least until Bulldog.  I got it especially for Bulldog, mainly because it holds more water than mine, and also has lots of storage space.  That means I can get rid of the runner’s belt, taking weight off my lower back when I run (ahhhh).

I’ll make this blog entry quick, as I’ve had a trying week, well, trying month . . . let’s make that a trying year.  And I’ve been unusually tired the past few days (even though I’m getting plenty of sleep). 

We all ran the first five miles together, then about six of us turned off for about five more, hilly miles.

I was beat (in more ways than one).  On the good side, I tripped hard once, and did not fall – that’s a good thing : )  I’m gonna say that I didn’t fall because my core is stronger.

Miles logged: 10.21

Amy, Tom, Morgan, Dave, Me, Dylan, Robert, Jim, Cathy, Kelly, Janet. 

Part of 2nd five miles

Love that spring color

Cyclists starting out as I stumble on in : )

Technorati Tags: Trail Running,Quail Hill,OCTR New Member Runs

Practicing Caution

As I approach the biggest physical challenge of my life, I find myself practicing EXTREME caution.  It seems like before every big race, something happens, a hip injury, the flu, a fall, a hip injury . . . a hip injury  : /

I am so paranoid about injury that I am focusing on strength this time around, much more than endurance.  In other other words, I trying hard to forget about racking up the mileage. I figure I "have" endurance.  I hope so anyway.   Instead, I want to increase muscle strength.  Of course, that's leaving me a little apprehensive.  Coming in under twenty miles last week (& probably this week too, worries me some).  But I've already decided it's better to go into Bulldog 50k this August without injury, than having piled up the mileage.

After the knee and back problems from the Las Flores marathon, then back and hip problems from my auto accident, I've been taking it easy mileage-wise.  After Tuesday's run, my right hip ached a bit.  Last minute I decided lay off running.  Over the past 3 days, I've spent two at the gym on the elliptical crossramp (12 miles total) and spent much of my time weight training -- not to mention rolling and icing the hip (& stretching, stretching, stretching). 

Tomorrow will be my first run back, bringing my total under 30 miles this week again.  But that's okay.  Caution, caution, caution.  That's where I'm at right now. 

Miles logged:  0