Turning a Page

I’m starting my fourth week of work and trying to figure out a schedule and routine. By the time I get back into my hotel room (usually 8:30 to 9PM), I am ready to take an hour or so to catch up with things back home, relax in front of my computer for a little and hit the sack to get ready to do it all again the next day.

Also, being away from home four days a week seems to make the three that I am home all that much more valuable. And of the three that I am home, one (Fridays) is spent working anyways. So, what that really means is the last thing I want to do on weekends is spend more time away from my family.

So I guess what I’m saying is that all thoughts of getting into any type of race shape are pretty much going to be on hold for a while. I *am* going to get back in an exercise habit though. Three hours a week. That will probably break down to 30 minutes twice a week on a hotel treadmill and an hour a day on Saturdays and Sundays.  And limiting my caloric intake. Heaven knows all that restaurant food that I’m eating isn’t doing me a whole lot of good. Anyone know how many calories in a Fuddrucker’s half pounder? Just kidding!!!!!

All of that makes for a boring blog. Face it – there are tons and tons of excellent blogs out there from people who are serious about training. I won’t pretend to be one of those while I’m up on a treadmill. So, I’m going to be changing up a little. Starting this week, I’ll be in here once a week to talk about the challenges of staying (or in my case-getting back into) in shape while be a road warrior. I’ll be back this weekend!

Its Official

Remember that job that I mentioned a couple weeks ago? Well, tomorrow it officially starts. I will be on a flight to Sacramento bright and early. For the next 10 weeks or so I'll be visiting Terminal C at John Wayne Airport (that's how we roll here in Orange County) early Monday mornings for my flight to Sacramento and then back again on Thursday evenings.

Going back to suitcases and hotel rooms will be a huge departure from the lifestyle I have been accustomed to for the past 10 years. I'm anticipating a couple weeks of adjusting to my new surroundings and schedule. So, I may be scarce around these parts. And you may see my comments on your blog posts weeks after they happen.

If only I were French. Or French Canadian. Then I would know whether it's adieu or aurevoir. Maybe it was best said by our old Governator, Ahhhnold. "I'll be back."


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The “D” Word

Some might call it “D”etermination. I think I call it “D”umb. Whatever it is, I was back for some more “D” this week. Being shutout the last time I tried to run in Buck Gully, I decided to try a different approach. The goal was to run the “green” trail down into Buck Gully. I would be entering from the top of the canyon and going as far as I could. I was pretty sure this was doable, since I had done it before.

I started out at the top of the hill off San Joaquin Hills Road in Newport Coast. For locals, the park is called Canyon Watch Park:

I ran about half a mile to the East. Just past this sign:

Is the entrance to Upper Buck Gully. If you’re driving on San Joaquin Hills Road at 60 mph, it’s easy to miss:

Damn! What’s that sign doing there?

The rest of the is journey is imaginary - the way the trail *will* look once trail maintenance is complete.

The trail down into Buck Gully is really more like an access road, and from the looks of it, is, errrrrr, will be regularly travelled:

The upper reaches of the canyon, errrr, will offer some escape from the million dollar ridge top homes:

The lower canyon will be a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the resort up above:

Bridges will be placed at stream crossings to keep you from having to get your feet wet:

Just don’t touch the water! Who knows what type of chemicals and fertilizers are filtering down from the golf course above.

There will be trees filled with mistletoe:

The downside *might* include some muddy spots on the trail:

Ooops. I thought trail maintenance was complete….

Just be ready for the climb out: