On January 17, 2012, we returned to Purisima Open Space Reserve for a trail run along the North Ridge, Whitemore Gulch, Purisima Creek, Craig Britton, and Harkins Ridge trails. Our total distance on this trip was 11 miles, and the run/walk was a challenge as the second half started at 512 feet and ends at over 2,000 feet of altitude.
Tag Archives: trail
Return to Resolution
Returning to the site of the DC6 crash, “Resolution”, is always a bit of a solemn experience. The remnants of the aircraft still remain right next to the trail, and other hikers have collected small pieces of the aircraft on a rock and left them there. On January 12, 2012, I returned along “Resolution Trail” found in the El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve. I couldn’t help but pause for a few minutes to think of all those aviators that went before us, and path to safety they created in blood.
The rest of the trail run was split into two parts – some yesterday, and some today. Disappointingly, I forgot to turn the GPS on for today’s run, so I only have the trail marks from yesterday’s run/hike with my girl. The elevation change was brutal.
Rain-Drenched Muddy Santa Monica 18k
Off into the rain!
As if getting soaked during the Spartan Race wasn’t enough, Pacific Coast Trail Runs, @pctr, had many Spartans joining them for their Santa Monica 9k, 18k, 30k, and 50k run on November 20, 2011 at Point Mugu State Park. It was a good thing, too, because a Spartan attitude was needed to overcome rain and vandals who tried to steal ribbons and signs.
SlickRock 57km Ultramarathon
Mile... uh...
Sometimes, things go well. Sometimes, things go badly. And then, when it rains in the desert, it pours.
And pours some more.
The First Annual Slickrock Ultramarathon series (50k, 50mile, and 100-mile) event faced probably the worse set of circumstances ever faced by a group of people trying to direct a fun, scenic, challenging race. A few unappreciative runners vented to the race directors, and those losers individuals who decided it was necessary to yell their frustrations only managed to make a complete ass out of themselves. From my perspective, they were lucky there was a race at all. In most, if not all, races I’ve known, if the directors had faced the same circumstances they would have cancelled the race completely. But, the SlickRock Directors didn’t, but not without trouble after trouble for all their efforts.
Race: PCTR 30km Sequoia Trail
Every race you learn something. During @PCTR ‘s (Pacific Coast Trail Runs) 30km Sequoia Trail Run, I learned that getting faster in 10k and 5k distances doesn’t necessarily translate into faster 30k times. In fact, although I did initiate a slower pace at the start of the race, I actually went out too hard too fast too soon, and jogged up several hills that I should have walked. I actually hate being passed in the second half of a race, because it tells me that I didn’t pace well: And most of the time I do the passing during the second half.