Four Lakes and Siligo Peak

A crisp, biting cold sweeps through the air. Fall turns to winter in just a few short days. We're probably the last group to enjoy the high country before it gets snowed in this weekend when snow levels are predicted to drop well down into the local valley. Trips this close to winter always make me feel like I'm tempting fate. Nevertheless, as I pull my jacket from Matt's pack, I'm excited for the adventure and views that lay ahead.

Today our adventure is shared with Mark, an inland runner that we happen to know through mutual friends. It's our first official meeting. Through some Facebook stalking, he seems sassy and fun and just happens to have weekdays off too so I invited him along. Who can say no to a Tuesday morning mountain party? He mentions that he wants to see if I was as cool in person as I am online. Haha, yeah. Cool: that's my middle name, alright...if you're into snot rockets and junk food.

Five miles and 4,000 ft. of power hiking practice later, we arrive at the first alpine pass. Tucking behind a large boulder to avoid the blustery wind, we munch on homemade muffins and candy bars. From here we can see the entirety of Long Canyon and the eastern Trinity Alps as well as Lassen Peak. The boys examine the map while I snap some photos during a brief period of sunshine.

Gibson Peak

Soon, our climbing effort is rewarded and we're looking down upon Deer Lake, the first on the Four Lakes Trail loop. Siligo Peak's prominent stature dwarfs the lake as it casts a formidable shadow over the entire landscape.

 

The skies are dark up here, but nothing more than tiny drops of rain ever fall. For once, Mother Nature seems to be playing nice with us. In fact, she decides to gift us a new set of tent stakes. We love free, awesome gear. Matt beams with the same childish smile as when he adopted an abandoned trekking pole on the Italian-Swiss border.

A gift from Deer Lake.

Deer Lake at shore level.

My inherent shyness begins to melt away with time and some endorphins. We climb the second mountain pass while playing a game. "If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" I asked the boys. Matt replies with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Before we got married, that's all he ate. He bought his PB in gallon buckets. Mark takes his turn. "This is actually a question I have thought about a lot!" he exclaims. Us runners take our food seriously. Mark is into spaghetti, my food is pizza.

Round Lake

As we lose sight of Deer Lake, we pass Round Lake. This small, but hardly insignificant lake isn't included in the count on the Four Lakes loop. Yay, bonus lake!

Official lake #2: Luella Lake

Just as I sense a case of climbing grumpy set in, a bag of gummy worms appears. Matt knows me well. In marginal gummy bear weather, it is a challenge to both chew and run downhill after cresting the next ridgeline. Worms hang from the corner of my mouth as I happily trot along.

Mark S. photo credit

Everyone has their happy place. Many of our friends on the coast tell us that they can't imagine living away from the ocean. After the stark contrast between Michigan, Oklahoma, Alaska, and now coastal California, I can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't have mountains nearby. I never feel more alive as I do atop a mountain I scaled under my own power.

Mark, originally from Chicagoland, nods in agreement while adding lyrics from a John Denver song, "He was born in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he'd never been before. He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again, you might say he found a key for every door."  YES! Exactly!

Mountains look good on you, Mark.

We climb briefly through a sheltered saddle filled with dry yellow grasses and crimson and granite spires hanging overhead. Whenever I think of the Trinity Alps, I imagine rocky scrambles and thousands of switchbacks. This route, though still very rocky and difficult, hold some lovely runnable sections that would make any runner giddy.

Mark S. photo credit.

Lake number three, Diamond Lake, proves do be the most spectacular. Hanging on the edge of the mountainside, it appears to pour into the valley below. In the distance, a series of snowy peaks take turns in the patchy sunlight. I try to imagine what this place looks like in full snow cover but am unable to picture it. If the road to this trail remains open in the winter, perhaps I'll find out for myself. After all, winter camping season is about to begin!

Lake #3: Diamond Lake

We debate a side trip to Summit Lake, number four on the loop, but decide not to given how soon darkness comes this time of year. "One more reason to come back," Mark offers. Exactly. This guy gets us.

Lake #4: Summit Lake, about 1/2 mi away.

The sun makes an official appearance when we arrive back at Deer Lake. Our runner train slows to a stop as we stand there staring at the late afternoon light draped over the mountains. I stare at this spot in hopes that doing so will permanently etch this image into my brain. Trinity Alps, I think I'm in love with you.

Our final task of the day includes a steep 4,000 ft. descent back to the car. Since TNF 50K has some technical descents, I'm determined to get better at it. Matt and Mark take off at their own paces, while I lag behind navigating the tricky spots at little more than a walk. After the crash on the Marquette 50K that left me so badly scraped up that I could barely walk for a week, I know that technical training is a necessary evil.

The boys heading off down the mountainside.

Bounding down the rocks, I am reluctant to let go of my fear. Falling is not an option. At this point, I'm so protective of my fragile left arm that it has become instinctive, and I'm far more likely to twist and land on something else, injuring my back instead.

Even the elevation chart looks a little painful.

Upon arriving back at the car, my shredded legs quiver with fatigue. Road running lets my quads weaken, I'm glad there's a periodic trail season that toughens them back up. I much prefer downhill running to squats and lunges.

 

We refuel with a delicious pizza, discuss future adventure options and then part ways. Thanks for the fantastic trail day boys!

18.5 mi, 6,000 ft. gain and infinite gorgeous views

Training Plan for the Off Season

Even though it sounds contradictory, my off season does have an official plan. Since I always allow for flexibility in my road season plans, I have no qualms about adjusting when opportunities arise. For this reason, following a loose plan during my trail months doesn't feel as rigid as it seems.

In the past, I've tried going with no plan but I quickly learned that I fun myself out and become over-trained. As it appears, more miles don't always equal more fun. Even I have a fun threshold. Who knew?

As usual, I'll be completing the remaining club circuit runs (except the 40 mile race) and then I have a trail race to cap off the season. This year's event is The North Face 50K in Marin in December.

The first week after Humboldt Redwoods began as a series of question marks. I always let myself run as little or as slow as I desire. Pretty much everything that week was a 9:30/mi or slower. I felt less wrecked than normal so the mileage ended up being higher than a faster/tougher race, like my previous two marathons. I finished this plan yesterday, so all of last week's miles are what I actually ran. My hill-climbing power is still diminished, but otherwise everything feels good.

Volume: Since there are just three building mileage weeks between now and the taper for TNF, I didn't think a recovery week was necessary. We'll see if I'm right.

Goal Races: I have one more goal race this year, the Turkey Trot 5K, so I'll have a weekly speed workout, but otherwise I aim to go where the fun is: namely those gigantic three hundred and fifty foot redwood trees and maybe one more trip to the mountains.

Other Races: I'll do my best for each of these, but since I'm not training specifically for them, they will function more like lactate threshold (7:30-7:40/mi) workouts.

Speedwork: Mile repeats seem to be the best predictor workout for me. I'm hoping for a 5K pace of 6:45-6:55, so I'll do my mile repeats at that pace. Last fall, I did a 6x1mi @ 7:00 workout two weeks out and ran a 21:42 (6:59/mi) in the race. I'm more fit this year, but where I'm at will depend on the HRM recover. I'd like to take 20-30 sec. off my PR.

What does your off season look like? Do you keep a training plan? Do you switch to other sports?

Fall in Repose

Life begins to slow down. The garden vegetables slow to a trickle and only the hardiest of plants remain. Temperatures cool and the winds shift. The air takes on a crisp, cool texture. Rain begins to fall as more dark clouds park themselves over the coastline. I spend more time with my knitting and a warm cup of coffee. Zoey the cat transitions to her cozier napping spots. Fall has arrived.

 

Just as the landscape is prepping for its yearly rest and renewal, we are too. After a summer of frequent travel and adventures, Matt and I are taking some time to rekindle our love for our local area. In the excitement of exploring new places, we occasionally need a reminder that our home is a fantastic, beautiful place as well.

Matt and I went for a relaxed trail run through the redwoods yesterday. Only ten minutes from our house, we can run and play on this challenging trail on any given workday.

Here, our daily worries and troubles melt away. It's just one foot in front of the other, stripping our lives of complications, even if temporarily. Some people practice yoga or meditate to find their center, but I find mine here. With each bead of sweat falling from my skin on the heart-pounding climbs, another layer falls away. When I arrive at the top, I pause to take in the magnificent grove of old growth Redwoods that spreads out in the gully before me. My heart explodes with emotion as the endorphins take hold. I imagine this is what truly living feels like.

.....and it comes with a hint of crazy eyes.

For the first time in my many visits, I stop to walk through this grove, taking the time to saturate my senses. After a soaking rain, the varying scents of the forest are amplified. Yes, a couple of months reacquainting myself with my local environment is just what I need. Brace yourself reader, tall trees are in your future.

Humboldt Redwoods Marathon

Quietly resting in my super-secret parking spot away from the buzz of race morning, I chat with my race buddy Bob. He tells me about the earthquake that happened just before I arrived. While he's describing the fear of being in a tiny car under a canopy of three hundred foot tall Redwoods, I smile a coy smile. Since an earthquake woke me up before the Santa Rosa Marathon, I thought, earthquakes seem to be my good luck charm. Couple that with the best pre-race sleep ever and my indifferent attitude toward today's race vanishes. A marathon could be fun. Sure, let's go. Barry spots me before the start and asks my goal. I tell him 3:40 or 3:45. He says he expects me to finish in 3:39:59. Huh, we'll see about that.

Y. Kim, SRRC photo credit.

I start too far back in the pack but focus on staying relaxed and calm. Since I typically run the half marathon at this race, I notice all my usual competition disappear ahead. Surprisingly enough, I'm not tempted at all to join them. By the first aid station at mile two, I realize that I've sweat through my outfit. Even though it's not very warm, a high dew point is making me sweat like crazy. I grab two cups of water at this aid station and every single one until the end.

Mile 1: 8:02
Mile 2: 8:00

The first half of this race coincides with the half marathon along the Avenue of the Giants. The freshly paved road allows me to lean my head back and gawk at the trees. Even though I'm considered a local now, this forest never ceases to take my breath away.

Mile 1. Not taken on race day. ;)

Mile 3: 8:03
Mile 4: 8:06
Mile 5: 8:10

Soon I pass the time cheering on my running club buddies making their return trip. I find Matt sandwiched between two of his usual competitors. It's funny how in a race of 1,000 runners, he ends up competing against the same guys.

Mile 6: 8:04

At the quarter marathon turnaround, someone calls out a number. It isn't my pace or elapsed time. "What does this number mean?" I say out loud to the runner next to me. We discover together that it's my bib number and chat together for the next mile or so, then he says he has to get back to work and runs off ahead. I eventually pass him. Maybe he should have stayed to chat after all?

Mile 7: 8:02
Mile 8: 8:19
Mile 9: 8:16

Mile 8. Not taken on race day.

A few miles later, I begin to hear a slapping noise behind me. I glance behind me to see who this annoyingly loud stomper is. Nobody is there. Then I realize it's my soaking wet shorts slapping me in the back of the legs as I run along.  Lovely. I'm glad that my pockets are filled with salt tabs, I'm totally going to need them.

Mile 9. Also, not taken on race day.

Near mile 10, I pull up behind a familiar runner. He's not a member of the local club, but he seems to end up right with me at every race on this course. In fact, he's the runner that threw a cup full of water on me two years ago...that's probably why I remember him at all. We begin chatting and he mentions that this is his thirtieth running of this race. I'm excited for the day I can say I've been doing things for thirty years. All I have so far is this: I've been breathing for 30 years!

Mile 10: 8:04
Mile 11: 8:11
Mile 12: 8:13
Mile 13: 8:15

Just as the marathon course splits from the half, I hear Matt call out my name. I slow for him to catch up to me. We run together through the halfway aid station. I ask about his race and he about mine. I mention that I'm gearing up for a fantastic positive split on my second half, still within my goal range. Then we part ways.

Halfway aid station. Double-fisting the water and Gatorade.

 Halfway: 1:46:57 (8:11/mi)

The second half of the course has a nice long uphill; it isn't until almost mile 20 that the course stops climbing. I make the decision to stop looking at my watch and instead I continue along at the same effort as the first half.

Garmin counted 1,500 ft. gain, it's actually closer to 1,000ft. We climb the same 100 ft. over and over again.

I soon find myself weaving through the trees with another runner. I can't tell if he's staring up at the trees or if his way of leaning his head back is just an element of his fatigued form, but soon I'm right behind him. He asks me to pass him but I refuse. "You're slowing down at the same pace as I am, I think I'll stay with you if you don't mind," I reply. He laughs and mentions he's thankful for the company. We climb through the trees, trading the lead back and forth.

Mile 14: 8:40
Mile 15: 8:42

Together, we pass half a dozen runners on the uphill portion, including one who's tree gawking aloud: "Can you believe this?! This is the most gorgeous marathon I've ever run!!" I beam with pride. I get to call this place home. How cool.

Mile 14 and 25, last year's race day.

Even though this race and its sister (Avenue of the Giants Marathon) are well-known for traveling on the scenic byway, Avenue of the Giants, the best section of redwoods is a country road on the other half of the course, of which only occur on the marathon, not the half. My favorite section of road is near mile 16. The rich, earthy smell and color are so dense here, I can almost sense their additional oxygen output.

Mile 16 taken in April. In the photo is our running club president, Gary.

Mile 16: 8:31
Mile 17: 8:52

My buddy and I walk through the mile 17 aid station, our first together. "Hey, I like this," he says. He goes on to explain that he never walks through aid stations. I mention that I get cups stuck to my face if I don't (see this spring's Avenue Half report). He must find me entertaining because he stays by my side.

Mile 18: 8:40
Mile 19: 8:35
Mile 20: 8:34
Mile 21: 8:14

Also taken in April. This is about mile 19.5. In the background you can see the mountain my trail race climbs.

We give a little woohoo at each mile marker and then resume conversation. I love having a race buddy. We are so evenly matched that it feels more like a training run than race. One quick turnaround and we're suddenly running downhill for the first time in almost an hour. It feels so effortless and my pace recovers...for a short time anyways.

Mile 22: 8:15
Mile 23: 8:27

With 5K left to go, I am surprised that time has passed so quickly. I'm having the best time!  Sure, the miles are slower and my breathing more labored, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my "fun" marathon day without a concrete goal.

This is my racing buddy, here all the way from Colorado! Y. Kim, SRRC photo.

My buddy pulls away at mile 24 and I'm left behind unable to kick along with him. My mind turns to this road racing year. It has been a pretty wild ride: several allergy-related meltdowns, a dangerous bonk marathon finish, and my first Boston-Qualifying time. Then there's the day I completely gave up on myself running this course in 2012. In almost every way, this race felt like a victory lap.

Mile 24: 8:41
Mile 25: 8:26

Here he's warming up before the race start.

A bagpiper playing the Star Wars Theme appeared at mile 25. If my day had been completely sucking, this alone would have saved it. I caught up with him later in the parking lot and told him his song made my day.

Mile 26: 8:18
Mile 26-finish: 1:49 (7:51/mi.)

Just after mile 26, club buddies, Paul, Jack, and Brett appear. They cheer wildly calling out something about fifth woman. Since I was having such a good time with my running buddy, I hadn't even noticed my placing.

Wendy and Wendy announcing the finishers. They sold t-shirts with me the day before and gave extra loudspeaker cheers for me at the finish. Y. Kim, SRRC photo.

The thought of fifth place ignites a finish kick I didn't know I had and I pass two people en route to the finish line. I could get used to having a kick like this!! Yoon snaps my photo, the Wendys wave and announces my name and I cross my fourteenth marathon finish line.

Y. Kim, SRRC photo.

3:39:22
8:22/mi.
5th woman

I collect myself for a few moments, letting the race sink in a little. That was fun! Since I ran the second half without peeking at my watch, my finish time was a pleasant surprise. I catch up to Barry, manning the water table in the finish chute. "How'd you do?" he asks. I smile as I reply, "3:39:22, just for you." Since I hadn't noticed any of the girls ahead of me, I couldn't know for sure, but I stood a good chance of placing in my age group. Nope. Three of the four girls ahead of me were in my new age group. No award, but I did make the leader board for the first time ever. Sweeeet.

Matt finished in 1:21:41, two seconds ahead of his club rival. To illustrate the level of competition in the half marathon (the USATF Championship), that earned him only fourteenth place in his age group.

Matt and his club rival, Reed. Y. Kim, SRRC photo.

Matt headed off to work and I stayed behind to help the club clean up. It was nice to be active for a few hours after the race to let my body cool down. What a fun weekend!

Marathon #14 Goals

...Okay, so here's the deal:  This was supposed to auto-post on Saturday afternoon and it didn't work. Let's pretend that it's still Saturday and I haven't already run this marathon......

That’s how I feel about marathon #14. One moment, I’m excited; the next, I’m dreading it. I guess that pretty much sums up the typical 26.2 mile experience.

I worked at packet pickup all day today and have a full shift after I finish tomorrow. I’m sure it will take all week to recover from these two days alone. Anyways, someone asked me about my goal time and I thought I’d share those thoughts with you guys too.

Since I already hit my goal time this year and haven’t had any focused training since then, I don’t expect a PR. I think it would be safe to expect something in the 3:40-3:45 range, maybe outside of that too depending on how much tree gawking I decide I need. There’s a real possibility I’ll just get lazy and decide to have a party day, high fiving all the baby Redwoods as I go by.

Historically, this race has always been HORRIBLE for me with my allergies and I can already tell that I feel a little off. This course is all rolling hills with one 350 ft. climb between miles 14 and 19 (downhill the last 5 mi though!).

Either way, 26 miles of Redwood trees is probably a good idea. I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Running at Lumpy Ridge

Friday: Group Run 1, New Balance, 5.25 mi.

Fog clings to the mountaintops, diffusing rays of the rising sun. An orange glow hangs in the chilly morning air. My throat and nose burn in the way that only near freezing temperatures can. It's not cold enough to need a hat, but close enough to make me yearn for one.

R. Bolt, photo credit.

Mesmerized by the crisp air and the way the fog intensifies the already vibrant hues, a giddy smile creeps across my face. Fall is my favorite season, I'm so glad that this conference afforded me such an opportunity to enjoy it.

The pack thins out as we all find our happy paces. Soon I'm running with Nancy and Richard, two of the conference organizers. We trade the lead back and forth after each photo stop. Finally, people that take as many pictures as I do! Cresting every knob in the trail reveals another stunning view, I can't resist numerous photo stops.

New Balance offered free shoes to anyone that tested at this group run. The color and cushion of the shoes felt wonderful, but my usual size was proving too small. My big toes scream for mercy as I bash them into the front of the shoe. Bummer. I was really excited about free shoes.

I run back to the hotel with Jenna. Since she ran to the trailhead, they were out of her size when she had arrived. By the end of the run, I realize that the pair on my feet would probably fit her. She accepts and I hand them over.

The endorphins and good deed for the day prop me up and I'm ready to start the conference. I even catch myself considering becoming a morning runner. We'll see. First things first: coffee time!

-----

Saturday: Group Run 2, Hoka One One, 4.5 mi.

By the second group run, the inspired notion of becoming a morning runner began to fade away. When it takes me half the run's distance to finally feel awake and human, it is harder to find a happy place. Seemingly fed up with my constant photo stops, Matt announces that he's taking off on his own to run with the fast boys.

I soon find my own group of running buddies, Eve and Jenny. I always make running buddies more easily when I'm solo. There's something about two or more people together that makes us less approachable.

There's something notably different about running with women rather than mixed company. I've never really had close girl friends, but some of my favorite running moments have been with my girl run pals. As cheesy as it sounds, maybe there is such thing as girl power.

Hoka was there to let us demo the shoes. I was hopeful for another freebie opportunity and was sure to secure my correct size, but it didn't happen. I tested the Huaka. Even though I loved the feel of the shoes, my feet aren't picky, so I don't think I need a pair. Nobody wants to get their feet used to $150 running shoes if they don't have to, right?

Have you felt a different vibe/energy when you run only with members of the same sex rather than mixed company? 

Have you ever wear-tested a shoe? Did it prompt you to buy a pair yourself?
If I wasn't already set for the year, I would buy the New Balance ones. I will keep them in mind for my next pair.