(Sigh)
If the state of California is serious about closing down all the parks in the Santa Monica Mountains, I would plead with them to leave this one alone (after of course, pleading not to close down any).
I was looking forward to this trail run with my group after an almost 2-week layoff that seemed longer. Unfortunately, I got off to a bit of a late start this morning after being a bit sleep deprived from the day before (more on that in a bit). When I showed up to the trailhead, it appeared that the main group had already started only I didn't know which way they had started (La Jolla Canyon fire road vs. Ray Miller trail). Thankfully, another member who usually marks the trail also showed up late so we started off via La Jolla first to complete the loop coming out of Ray Miller (much preferred).
The approximately 11 mile loop climbs La Jolla Canyon, back down, up Magu Peak, down through the vast and beautiful La Jolla Valley, passing through a fire road, before the final descent down the seriously scenic single track Ray Miller Trail which offers sweeping coastline views from high atop for miles on end.
Running solo the entire way, I was ear-to-ear grinning through most of the trek. The weather was sunny but not too warm since it ran along the coastline for nearly half of it. After completing the run in under 2 hours, I reconvened with the rest of the group at the trailhead, took up another member's offer on a cold sud, and also partook in the rest of the spread the group had laid out. Such a good way to cap a nice run.
It's sad to think there's even a remote possibility that this will be our last organized run here. But I maintain faith that it won't.
________________________
On another note, I spent a large part of late Saturday night pacing a friend through her 65-mile (!) journey to honor her late father on the anniversary of his passing. It was an experience I was grateful and honored to take part in and help in any way I could.
I started running with her at approximately 10:30pm at a designated spot down in Irvine (she started at 7pm) and ran with her until about 2:30am, covering approximately 17 miles. She was feeling nauseous when I started with her so we ran/walked based on her comfort level. Her awesome boyfriend served as her one man aid station as he drove around to meet her at certain points to provide food, hydration, the Stick...whatever she needed.
I won't share all the things we talked about on our run together, but let's just say I have a newfound respect for her and her incredible will, drive and passion.
Once my loop was done, I handed her off to our friend Sam, who would go on to pace her from mile 40 to the finish.
Well done Rachel. Your dad is very proud.
12 comments:
Looks like we were in the same part of the world albeit on different days! Looks a bot clearer on your run than on mine...not sure that's a good thing!
Kudus for pacing Rachel, good to hear your foot's on the mend!
Rachel is a very lucky woman to have such amazing friends! And what a wonderful way to memorialize and remember her father!!!!
Sounds like you had some very special runs this weekend. What a great way for your friend to honor her father, and how kind of you to help her complete her journey.
sounds like such a great week. I hope your trails dont get closed :( I know how much you and all those other runners love them, that would be awful.
Sounds like pacing was an awesome experience.
sure seems like the running is back to normal - 11 miles, 17 miles... nice job.
awesome of you to pace your friend on her journey! sounds like she has a cool bf too :)
Oh no! Why would they close the Santa Monica Mountains?
I'm always excited to find Southern CA runners; I'm up in SB.
Sounds like you had a nice run on the trail.
It was really special of you to help your friend honor her father.
I hope your trails don't get closed either Billy! :( Also, great for you pacing rachel, that is really amazing that you were a part of that and that she did that :)
You know, whenver I see La Jolla I can't help but think about what you're doing down in San Diego. Then it occurs to me that there *could be* more than one La Jolla...
Good run. I'm glad you can get out and hit the trails. Is the experiment wih the VFFs over?
And I wouldn't worry. The State has threatened to close the park down before. They won't close any reveue generating parks (Malibu, beaches, etc.). Pio Pico's home in Whittier - well maybe that shouldn't be sucking budget dollars in the first place....
Thanks for taking care of Rachel for all of us RWOL folks!
such beautiful secenery! it would be such a shame if they closed them down..hoping they come to their sense and won't do such a thing!
How wonderful to be part your friend's run that day.
Great trail run and what a beautiful achievement to be a part of. Go Rachel!
If they close down CA parks, I WILL CRY!!! AND PROTEST!
Gorgeous photos, and way to go for getting back out there. Like the Newtons?
If they close the parks, doesn't that just amount to closing the parking lots, restrooms, services? Couldn't we still gain access to use the trails, beaches, mountains, etc...
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