Quick Recap!

My Partner in Crime- Mike Palmer :)

I've promised Mike a good entry about our circumnativation of Mt. Tam on Sunday and plan to type up a nice one, but as it's finals week and I'm graduating in 6 days, now isn't exactly the time to be spending my writing talents (or lack therof) on my blog.

With that said, I wanted to just state generally what a great time we had out there! We ended up completing 22.5 miles and some decent elevation (not sure on actual numbers) and went all the way around Mt. Tam! Started at Ross Commons and went by the cataract waterfalls, up to a great view point (that has some name...) to Pan Toll, and then on some other cool trails back to Ross. Took about 8 1/2 hours to complete the whole thing :)


A big time zapper on this adventure was my pechant for taking photos! I ended up with the obscenely large number of 132 pictures after our journey!!! Lots of them were unexciting shots of forest singletrack that just didn't translate well onto the camera, but I did get some really nice pictures too (if I do say so myself :) ). Mike also indulged me by both allowing me to take pictures of him (to make the pictures more exciting) and taking pictures of me as well (I'm such a running tourist!)

One of Mike's many great shots. This one at Cataract Falls

He also showed me some great hidden treasures on Mount Tam. For those in the area, guess where on Mt. Tam these 'amusements' were taken!

Bonus Points if you know the story behind this!

Bonus points if you can site a potential literary reference here! (click on it to enlarge if you need to see it better!)

If you don't know the real story behind either of these, or aren't from the area, take a guess!

Running Naked

well, technologically speaking at least :)

I drove up to the firetrail today all set to do a 3 mile out and back, accompanied by my garmin and my ipod.

Well, the ipod wasn't there (not sure where I've misplaced it...) and the garmin's battery was dead (forgot to charge it), so I was out of luck.

Now, I sometimes enjoy running sans ipod (and, indeed, haven't run with it in a few weeks) but I've really become dependent on the garmin, just because I like knowing how far I'm going. However, since there was no way around it, I headed up the trail all alone, planning to use my wrist watch to try to guesstimate a good turn around time.

As everyone always says, your fastest run is the one where you aren't timing yourself, and that really ended up being the case today. Somehow, all the consistent trail running I've been doing the last few weeks (I haven't used my road shoes at all in about 2 weeks, I think) has really paid off! For the first time ever, I was able to run the entire trail, except for the very steep connector (which I have now qualms walking). Even the connector, though, was easier to go up than usual. It was so exciting to run practically the whole thing. [According to local folklore, the legendary mile runner John Walker, on an extended visit to Berkeley in 1975, did repeat sprints up the connector shortly before he broke the world record in the mile. (His record of 3:49.4 stood until 1979, when it was broken by Sebastian Coe] And, I was much less worried about all the sounds than usuall. I'm starting to get used to the sounds that birds make in brush, so when I hear that now I no longer think it's a mountain lion ;).

Well, I felt so good, that I decided to just do the whole trail, going 7.5 miles instead of the planned 6. Coming down after the turn around, I just kept having thoughts about how exciting it is that this is me. The unathletic, slow, and fairly weak person that I used to be is now this strong, fun, running person, and its just so cool. I remember distinctly the first time I ran on the firetrail. I did maybe 5 miles of it, and it was just about the toughest thing I had ever run. It was so painful and so hilly and I actually pinched a nerve in my shoulder because I was trying so hard to keep up with my friend on those hills. I really just hated it.

And now it just doesn't feel all that hard. I'd like to be able to run the whole thing someday, connector and all, but for now I'm very satisfied by what I can do. As Diablo gets closer, I'm happy to feel like I might not suck so much at hills after all :)

Child's Play

Well, after a long hiatus, I finally got to rejoin the TTT (tam trail trekkers) for an amazing run through the forests and hills of Mt. Tam. I woke up to 50 degrees and a slight drizzle, with a chance of real rain. Having been unable to fall asleep until after 2am and waking up at 5, I was tired, but excited about a good run.

No real traffic getting over, meaning that it took just about 45 minutes to get to Mountain Home. The fog over there was intense! The worst that I have ever driven in!!! I was a little afraid of driving off the road. I made it okay though, and had about 25 minutes to wait until the rest of the crew arrived, which is when I took some pictures of the fog.

(Mountain Home Inn)



(looking out over the 'forest' (or fog here!) It was really disconcerting, because I could hear all the birds and so I knew the forest was down there, but couldn't see anything!)



(A pretty tree in the fog. Look for this same shot in the later pictures)

Everyone else showed up around 6:45, and we waited around for a few no-shows until a bit after 7. The plan was to go out the matt davis trail to stinsen beach (a first visit for me!) and then back up the dipsea to steep ravine to (I think) troop 80 back to our cars.

I stuck with the 'walkers' again, only to discover that actually, we'd be doing more running as Lucy, the designated walker, was getting in shape for a half marathon (she was out there today after having cracked a rib last week on the run! This group is tough!) So much for my easy 'hike' day :)

The weather when we left was cool and foggy. However, after less than a mile, the rain started. Soon, moving became a matter of staying warm, so we tried to keep moving at a good pace (mostly walking). A new matter to deal with as well was the amazing amount of poison oak! It was everywhere!!!

Despite the coldness and the rain (I've really got to get a waterproof jacket, my little wicking jacket was sorely undersuited for today), it was simply beautiful. We came out in an open section, where Ken (the leader) informed us that this was the place he had seen a mountain lion a few years ago. With my fear of these creatures, I definitely didn't want to be out alone ;) so when he started running, I picked up the pace. This was one of my favorite sections because the rain was intense enough to turn our singletrack into a small muddy stream, and keeping my feet dry became pointless. I starting running with abandon down the trail, splashing everywhere and feeling like a little kid. I couldn't help by giggle softly to myself with glee...this was just so much fun!

We reached the end of the Matt Davis trail and headed over to the beach to use the restrooms (and see the beach!). On the way, per apparent tradition, we each grabbed a rock and played a game of hopscotch at a little playground. I've sort of forgotten how to play, but we improvised :)

At the beach, we discovered, lo and behold, there was a race going on! We arrived as the envirosport's 1/2 marathon was just about to take off. My running friend Sarah was running this race and I tried to see if I could spot her, but was unsucessful. We talked to a race director, and discovered they were running the same trails we planned to use to get back! Not what we had in mind. However, going another way would have meant an extra 2 or 3 miles, which we didn't have time to do, so we went with it. We stopped and ate some food here as well, trying to keep our energy up in the cold!

Ken is the director for the double dipsea (a race that, I think is now going onto my calendar!), and so knows that trail quite well. In order to bypass distance (and the crowds) we took one of the imfamous 'shortcuts' which, well, wasn't the best idea. The shortcut was horribly horribly overgrown with poison oak!!! It was completely unavoidable, and I"m really hoping that the tecnu I used will save me, but that remains to be seen.

We met back up with the racers, and headed up 'Steep Ravine' where we got to experience the famed ladder and lots of muddy trails and stairs.


Finally, after we got to the parking lot (perhaps at pan toll I think?) we got to leave the main race course, and had some more space. Only to discover we were now going backwards on the marathon course! Luckily the racers were pretty spread out at this point, and we just made sure to jump to the side when people came by. We cheered for everyone we saw, which people seemed to appreciate (though some runners were quite worried that they had gotten off course when they saw us coming). This part had some just fabulous running through redwood forest, with amazing soft runnable trails. So so so much fun!!! I honestly couldn't help from laughing out loud at how fun this part was. I'd give Ken a bit of space in front of me, then just 'fly' down the hill. It really felt like I was a kid again. It was amazing!

Eventually out trail ended, and we hiked up the 1/2 mile of road back to the cars. All in all, about 13-14 miles in a bit over 4 hours (including lots of stops!)

By the time we got back to the car, that area's weather was so much nicer. It was actually not that cold and the fog was starting to lift.

Some Scenery Shots!

(Me with the beautiful backdrop of Mt. Tam after a long and fun morning!)

(Shot of my lovely muddy legs (can almost see all the scatches!) That are likely completely covered in poison oak! My trail shoes are definitely broken in now)

(Sporting my new injinji socks! My shoes literally were filled with water, and yet no blisters!! I am officially sold. Plus, I get to put on flip flops w/out losing the socks :) )

(Check out that dirt tan line!)

(On the way home I stopped at In n out to use the facilities, and on my way back to my car, one of the boys working there looked at me, looked at my legs, and just stared. I answered his look by telling him that 'I just went on the most amazing trail run' with a smile in my voice :) I think this is the muddiest I've ever been!)

After the run we headed to the Dipsea Cafe for some much needed hot food and hot drink. Amazing restaurant with a ton of Dipsea paraphernalia on the walls! I had a great time hanging out with the rest of the group! I then headed back to Berkeley, stopping at REI for tecnu, and then finally getting home.

All in all, one of the best bay area days (or, really, anywhere days) a person could have :)

Productive Running

I'll try not to make this too long as there are definitely other forms of writing that need to be done (ah! I don't think I'll be sleeping tonight :( ). My car was finally ready to be picked up this afternoon so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and run a roundabout way to the dealership, getting in 5 miles. (I also got to try out my new injinji socks! I'm pleased so far)

Because I didn't workout at all yesterday my legs felt great for the beginning, which was fun. I did have the temporary fear that I had forgotten how to run (do you guys ever get that after a brief hiatus from running? Even just a few easy days makes me fear that I've lost it all) but that went away once I got out there. Unfortunately, I've been eating like crap the last two days (paper stress) and definitely had it hit home that bad food = bad run. I felt pretty sick (the warmness of the day didn't help) and my calves started tightening as well. Luckily after 3 miles it was pretty much literally all downhill, and I got to relax. Arrived at the dealership gross and sweaty, but feeling good.

After a bit of mix ups about the payments, I finally got my car back and celebrated by going to the store and buying some zucchini (my new favorite veggie!) avocados, and some lean cuisine pizzas (surprisingly good!). I'm planning on making a veggie intense pizza for dinner that will hopefully power me through the night!

Some Days Getting Out There is Enough

Well, after getting 13 hours of sleep I woke up do a light drizzle and cold weather. Called Sarah about meeting up for a run, but the outdoors looked about as appealing to her as it did to me. We decided on a rain check (haha) and I settled back into bed. But of course, I was up, and it really didn't look that bad outside. I thought how cool it would be if I did a nice long run. I haven't done a long road run in quite a long time and it seemed like a good idea. So, I waterproofed the ipod and cell phone (i.e. wrapped them in a plastic bag), put some clif shot blocks and a gel in a clip on side bag thing, got the water and went out with the lofty aim of 18-20.

Anyone else remember that I ran a hard 11.5 Thursday night?

Well, my body sure did. After 6 miles I was tired, I was cold, and I really didn't want to go out for 2 more loops. I convinced myself to start out on another 6, seriously wanted to stop at 7.35, but told myself that I had made a commitment to at least 20 miles on the weekend. That meant I had to get at least 10 in today to make that happen. So, I kept going forward. I stopped to walk a hill just before 8 miles and had 3 blocks, which made me feel a little better (nothing like food when you're feeling down ;) ). Made it to the turn around point, but walked the steep uphill at the end of it.

Walking was nice so I decided to go up behind the stadium but walk the uphill for that. At this point some chafing on my inner thighs started making itself known. I always chafe there when my skin gets wet, and the constant drizzle definitely had that effect. I had brought a small chapstick tube with me, so I smushed that up and rubbed it on the affected parts, which seemed to work. Did that, ran down the other side, and the walked up the steep hill to the track, hoping that it would have the magic that it had last time. Well, I guess because it was slightly exposed on the one side, it felt a lot colder up there and after I got myself up to 11 miles, I was not too happy and feeling chilled.

So, I headed up the firetrail. Up and up and up. The fog was thick meaning I could see little around me or that far ahead of me. I'm sure that trail has some amazing views in clear weather. It was quite steep in parts and I wished that I had my trail shoes for what was sure to be a somewhat slippery trip back down (remember, its still all wet outside!). Finally I made it to the top of the hill and ended up at a spot I had gotten to via the other part of the firetrail before. It was nice to get my bearings and reaffirmed that I had made it pretty high up, as I had been up there before in good weather and been blown away by the view. After I had gone exactly a mile uphill (in 22:xx) I turned around and headed down. A couple parts had a nice singletrack on the side, which seemed a little less steep. I only was really afraid of falling a handful of times and soon it levelled out. Felt like the journey down took a lot less time and soon I was back out onto the berkeley streets. I did see what looked like a fun singletrack cut into the hillside that I want to find sometime when the weather was nicer, but I was really ready to go home.

Luckily at this point, home wasn't too far away. I ran the whole last mile back (at a fast 10:30) and finished up my 14 mile experience in 2:51:xx. For just over a 12 minute mile pace.

All in all, I'm glad I got out there. It wasn't that great of a run, necessarily, but I didn't give up when I wanted to at 7 miles and instead ended up with double that. Also, I really do feel I needed that great run thursday night, even though it meant I had a not so great one today.

(my lovely home on a nice day)

Now I'm going to have a nice hot meal and enjoy being bundled up inside :)

Bad day, Good run

Well, nothing about this day went all that well. I let myself sleep in, only to be overwhelmed by a upsetting dream in which I was incredibly sad and depressed and had somehow let down all my friends. Woke up feeling like I was still in the dream and was uanble to shake it. Then I went out to my car to drive to work only to discover it was the victim of a hit and run. The driver's side view mirror was broken off, dangling by a single wire and there was a small dent in the door. Once I finally got to work, on of the toilets overflowed and I had to mop the floors and clean everything up. I honestly just wanted to go home, curl into a bed and cry. Looking back, it wasn't that bad of a day, in the grand scheme of things, but I was just feeling so overwhelmed by everything, on top of all the papers that I have to write that I just cracked under the pressure.

But I needed to get my run in.

I tried to convince myself friday would be a good day for a run, I could just switch it, but I knew that if I wanted a successful long run saturday, I needed to get something in today. I compromised, "just 3 miles", I told myself. I've made a commitment to getting in at least 20 miles during the week, and I was 5 short, so I figured I could do three today and 2 friday to get in the total. I still brought my water bottle, just in case, but figured 3 would be the magic number.

Instead of running my normal route, I decided to head up into the hills and see if I could find the firetrail. Find it I did, but by the time I got to it my legs were burning so much that I couldn't convince myself to run too much higher. Still, I got up high enough to get a panoramic view of the east bay, and then started to decend.

However, when I got down a flight of stairs at the bottom of the trail, I happened upon the track above my freshman year dorms. Now, this track is where I ran my first consecutive 3 miles ever in my life. It's where I spent many afternoons trying to get in shape and get away from life. It probably is one of the most beautiful track locations anywhere. High in the berkeley hills, it's framed on one side by grassy slopes and on the other by a panoramic view of the bay area. I was just going to run across to the other side and continue on my run, but the track made everything so simple. I could just zone out and forget about life. Plus, every quarter mile, I was greeted with an amazing view. After every mile came to a close, I told myself that I would leave after the next one. As that mile got closer, I kept pushing it back. Soon, the sun was setting and I was in awe of Mt. Tam being bathed in the soft evening light. I kept hearing the child's voice inside me asking, "just a little bit longer?" So around and around I went. After I completed 6 miles up on the track, and the sun was out of sight, I decided it was time to head back.

Down I went the steep hill on the other side of the track, but I realized I still didn't want to go home. So, I instead turned right up a side street and ran behind the football stadium, where I got one last amazing view of the sunset, this time with the Campanile being framed by its light. Going down the other side of the stadium I was running under beautiful oak trees and hearing their leaves crunch beneath my feet. After coming out on the other side, I was ready to turn back.

I winded through the streets, through the neighborhoods, and eventually got back to my house, but at .35 of a mile. I need to end my runs in quarter miles (just a weird habit) so I ran up and down the street in front of my house until I got it to .5

I the end, I completed 11.5 miles with a 10:02 pace, including the one mile that took 13:35 minutes because it was so steep I had to walk up.

This run reminded me that I do have it in myself to get out there and run, even when it feels like the world is crashing down. I am much more capable than I often remember.

I'm so glad I went for a run tonight

Monday and Tuesday Runs

Good runs the last few days, with some nice speed thrown into the mix

Monday I ran a speedy 3 miles at a 9:03 pace after the long 8 hour drive back to berkeley. I have a lot on my plate right now and was feeling the stress for the last hour of the drive and really needed a run to recenter. After running and taking a shower, I always feel so much better and happier about the world :)

Today I did my normal 6 miles at a 9:43 pace, which I was very happy about. All negative splits with the last mile at 8:43 pace! I ran in the middle of the day in an attempt to try to expose myself to heat, but it ended up being high 60s and sunny :) Not good for trying to acclimate, but sure nice weather to run in. I added in an extra hill which was nice. Noticed that it took me about 3 miles to hit my groove and then it all started feeling a lot easier. I notice that a lot on my runs.

Tomorrow I'm going to join up with a new trail group for an evening run in a new place. I found them through a very nice fellow berkeley ultrarunner that contacted me through the ultra listserve and I'm excited. The only anxiety (that I always have with a new group) is the fear that I'll be too slow and get left behind! I purposly didn't run my hilly trail run today so that my legs will (hopefully) be a bit fresher tomorrow and I'll be able to keep up. They seem nice though, and are through the local running store that I love, so hopefully it'll go well.

Speaking of shopping, ZombieRunner is amazing :) I emailed them about running my first 50k and inquiring about what to get, and they gave me a very helpful list and some useful suggestions as well as being incredibly nice. I highly recommend them to all! (though I'm guessing most all of you already use them ;) ).

I have a free morning tomorrow since I'm doing an evening run, so I'll hopefully get lots of thesis work done!

Trail Marathon?

Well, in preparation for the TRT 50k, I would really like to do marathon distance on trails to get a feel for what it feels like to be on a trail for a serious amount of time. As I'm doing a road marathon on June 3rd, timing works best to possibly fit a marathon in sometime this month. The 30k that I did last weekend went very well despite some stomach issued resulting from poor eating the prior week, and I felt like, at that pace (lots of walking!) I could have kept going for a while longer. Even after that race and a good 6.2 run sunday, I was still able to get my highest mileage week ever with:

monday- cross-training
tuesday- 6.25 miles
wednesday- 8.5 miles
thursday- 6 miles
friday- off
saturday- 11 miles w/ dad, 5 miles solo (total: 16)
sunday- 6.25 miles
For 43 miles this week!

I'm feeling great at this mileage and would like to do a 20ish mile run this weekend, time permitting.

With this in mind then, I've been eyeing the Diablo Trail Marathon on April 29th, put on by PCTR.

Now, the marathon is incredibly challenging with a wopping 7, 950 ft of elevation gain during the race. However, on the plus side, there's a 50 mile race being run concurrently, meaning that I would have 16 hours to complete the race! That's a 36 min/mile pace. I feel like I could hold that kind of pace for 26 miles :)

So my question is, is this sensible to attempt, or too much? I'm not planning to 'race' the June marathon and am fine being 'slow' at it, as the 50k is much more important. Also, since I'd have such a generous amount of time to be out there, I'd plan on doing lots of walking at Diablo (much like I'm guessing I'll have to do at Tahoe?)

I just feel like this might give me an idea of how I'd handle being out on a trail for that long and on a tough course.

So, opinions please!!!! I don't want to bite off more than I can chew and become injured, but I'd love to attempt this if it sounds like it'd be helpful for my training :)

Thanks everyone!!!

Addy