I got up a little before sunrise to head out with the Trail Runners Club to the local Santa Ynez Canyon in Topanga Park. Since I'm still recovering from an injury, my goal was to be out for approximately an hour or so with no distance or speed in mind. While it was a little chilly in the morning when I met up with the crew, I knew once we got out of the canyons and up on the hills, the sun would be out and the day would warm up.
Sure enough, after about a mile out of running under a canopy of trees, we hit the clearing and the climbing began. Oddly enough, my RIGHT foot was bothering me for the first mile and a half again (which is opposite the injured foot) but eventually went away. I hung towards the front of the club for awhile and by the time we hit Trippet Ranch, I decided it was time to turn back and head back to the trail head.
Somewhere along the way, I was digging being out in nature again so much that off came the shoes. Feeling the dirt ground beneath me as I ran felt absolutely awesome and I didn't want to stop. But lest I incur another injury, I knew it probably wasn't the best idea. So back came the shoes and I finished off my run and waited around with our trail master Stan Schwartz back at the start.
Post-run snacks consisting of fruits, bagels and chips were consumed and shared by all along with some great conversation. All in all, it was another great day out on the trails and under the sun!
11 comments:
Man, that sounds like so much fun! I am way jealous!
Good to see you back on your feet - and shoes... Best running wishes for 2010!
Beautiful!
I am missing the sunshine here in Portland. :( Very jealous!
I'm happy for you to be out on the trail again -- what fun! Funny how similar your pics look to my pics down here in the OC. Funny too when injuries come on the opposite side or opposite foot. What's the deal with that?
Here's to little or no injuries in 2010!
beautiful trails!! mine were COVERED in fog today, but thats ok cause i love me some fog :)
glad you are getting back out there!
Nice job billy on getting back to those trails... really with the no shoes though? ;)
I did my first real trail run yesterday... and wow, I totally know how you feel about the trails! Definitely need to do it more often :)
I'm glad to hear you're getting back out again!
Looks like a great run. I'm not sure about the barefoot part, and I have to admit, I was glad to read that you put your shoes back on. :)
Love the pics! ah.. socal.. And the barefoot running video. I certainly won't be doing any of that outside for many months here in the PNW but I think I might start doing some barefoot walks on the treadmill..
Beautiful photos Billy! We really are blessed to be out here in SoCal!
Looks like an amazing run! Love the pics and that you are back out there. :)
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