Trail Run: Santa Ynez Canyon

Sorry for the sparse writing lately, it's been a busy couple of weeks around these parts. Then again I haven't really been on too many noteworthy runs, opting to adhere to the Pfitz 18/55 marathon training program down to each and every mile. To tell you the truth, it's become somewhat like another job after a few weeks into it.

Seeking to rediscover some of the 'fun' that comes with running, I decided to meet up with the Trail Runners Club yesterday morning to run the approximately 10 mile route in the Santa Monica Mountains. And since summer is officially over, the start time moved back 30 minutes to our original meet up time of 6am. Once most of the crew gathered, the caravan took us to the base of Santa Ynez Canyon and at approximately a half past, we were off!

For the first couple of miles, it was a lot of rock-hopping, poison oak dodging and climbing up the single track trails of the cool, lush canyon. Once we were up in elevation, there was even more climbing until we hit the Santa Ynez fire road which took us past Trippet Ranch and up the Musch Trail. The morning until this point was foggy and slightly damp. After some more climbing, all of a sudden we were above the clouds and under the sun.

I was running with Sara and Jes for the most part but we somehow managed to catch up to Mieko and Thomas who were marking the trail. The 5 of us ran for a little bit together but since Jes knew the trail, the 3 of us broke off again and began the descent down the Santa Ynez trail. Unfortunately, Sara (who was running in front) took a spill and scraped up herself up pretty good. Shaken but undeterred, we soon began running again and finished up the final mile or so back through Santa Ynez Canyon. Final mileage = 10.65 miles.

After cleaning Sara up, it was the usual yuks and snacking with the rest of the crew before parting ways. Some more pics:

The group starting out in Santa Ynez Canyon

Running down the fire road in Santa Ynez

Jes running through the morning fog

Mieko - above the clouds

War wounds