Back to Back

I know I said I would be back on Sunday. Sorry if you visited and found nothing new. I spent Sunday on a 10 plus mile trail run, Monday on a back to back 6 plus mile trail run, and Tuesday sleeping it all off.

Today my fingers no longer hurt (believe me – on Monday evening every part of my body was sore and tired!), so here’s my contribution to my YouTube channel. Come join me as I travel some of the ridges and canyons of Laguna Coast and Crystal Cove:

I think I’m reinvigorated. After well over a year of being in the dumps, I am finding some satisfaction with setting aside three or more hours on my weekends to traipse the hills. Not enough yet to say I want to race a marathon (or even a half), but enough to get out when the weather is good and enjoy the sights and sounds.

The other thing that is painfully obvious is that I need to build my aerobic base. More on that this week.

Getting Back to Normal

A number of things are kind of getting back to normal these days. First off – the weather. Late summer in Southern California is back. After a little lighting, thunder, torrential rain and hail on Saturday morning, followed by Florida like heat and humidity, Sunday saw our normal weather back. Yay! I don’t know how all you folks in the Midwest and the Southeast put up with it.

With normal weather, I had no excuse to not head out for a quick 5 miler. I headed into the wild (or at least as wild as it gets here in Orange County) for some spectacular views and a spectacular run (well, okay – half run, half walk).

So, slowly but surely, things are getting back around to normal.Now,if anyone has a job for me, that would make things pretty darn  perfect….

When Man Becomes Godzilla

I was out running on Bommer Ridge yesterday when I came upon a sight that left me a little sad. This little guy was probably scared shitless by something that resembled Godzilla to him….

Here’s my foot next to him for some scale. And yes, I have small feet.

I’m really recommitted to building a little aerobic conditioning before my race in a month. I’ll be out in Laguna Coast all week:

• Monday: Scheduled rest day.
• Tuesday: 3 miles. Bommer Ridge
• Wednesday: 5 miles. Bommer Ridge
• Thursday: 5 miles. Bommer Ridge to El Moro Ridge, then a mile or so on El Moro.
• Friday: Scheduled rest day.
• Saturday: 8 miles in the hills. Maybe Bommer Ridge to El Moro Ridge to BFI and back.
• Sunday: Scheduled rest. Maybe a short Deer Canyon jog.

I’m feeling a little resurge of energy and commitment now that I think I’ve uncovered the real issue behind my mental block. Thanks everyone for your kind words. I think it turns out that my issue wasn’t so much a dislike of running – it was where my mind was taking me once I fell into everything that comes automatically these days.

A final thing – remember my little vid at the Wedge last week?  Well – here’ the same place, same day about two hours later. Enjoy!

It’s Springtime!

The weather has been absolutely stunning the past few days here in Southern California. Bright blue skies, temperatures in the upper 70’s and low 80’s, humidity in the single digits. Time to head out into the hills.

Looking north toward Irvine and down into the canyon we’ll be running in.

One third a mile into the run I see my first snake of the day. A rattler! Buzz!!!!!!

Right down the trail I see another. At least this gopher snake isn’t poisonous!

The view toward the ocean.

Heading down some single track. With all the snakes out, I better keep my eyes and ears open.

A wet winter means that the flowers are in full bloom.

Down at the bottom of Deer Canyon. Nice campsites here.

Time to climb out now. Crap.

That shouldn’t be my heart rate when walking!

Okay. It isn’t Garden of the Gods, the Grand Canyon, or the Sierra Nevada, but it’s four miles from where a million or so people live. I’m lucky to have it!

Has it Been a Week?

Wow. I had no idea. No wonder my stats are down.

Sunday I made it out on the trails for the first time in several months. It was a perfect Southern California day. I’ll let the video speak for itself. No music. Just the sights, sounds, a heavy breathing. Join me for five miles squeezed down into 3:52. If that’s too long, skip to 3:08 for a view of the wildlife on the trail. Hope you enjoy it!

Bommer Ridge on a perfect Southern California day

Up for the Challenge

The weather was somewhat cooperative yesterday so I headed out onto Bommer Ridge in the mid afternoon. It was pretty warm and sticky (almost uncomfortable), but I put in an easy five miles on the ridgetop.

And just in case you thought *that* was the challenge – you are sooo wrong. A few days ago I was tagged by Patrick at The Road to list 10 random things about me. Sounds like fun, so here goes:

1. I am a second generation native Los Angeleno. My dad was born here in 1930. My grandmother moved here at the age of 6 in the early 1900’s. Snap. Almost a third generation native
2. My first choice for colleges (UC Irvine) was made based on my opportunity to surf everyday.
3. I don’t surf anymore.
4. I once played blackjack at the old Stardust in Las Vegas for 30 straight hours on $20.
5. Speaking of Las Vegas – the only time I left that town with more money than I started with ($3 net profit), I got a speeding ticket on I-15 on the way home. Net loser again.
6. My first car (a new 1975 Toyota Celica) cost less than my last big screen TV. It lasted 3 years more than the TV did. And when I sold it it was still running strong.
7. Speaking of cars, I used to do all my own maintenance (oil changes, brakes, heck, I even replaced a clutch in my first car). These days I won’t even open the hood.
8. I love to eat. In my college days I once hit up a Vegas buffet for 6 full plates of food. Then I hit the dessert bar. Maybe that’s why I have a name for this blog.
9. I’m not much into touristy travel. I’ve never been to Europe or Asia. I’d much rather spend a week camping/fishing. But I did take a three week vacation to Iran in the 90’s. It took almost three months to get a visa.
10. One of my bucket list items is to set foot in all 50 states. I’m up to 38. Trying to figure out how (or why) I’d get to the Dakotas (sorry Jerbear) or Maine (sorry Caratunk Girl).

So there you go. And I might as well play the other game too. If there’s something you want to ask me, go ahead – now’s your chance! I promise I’ll answer your question!