My first trail run of 2008, the Sequoia Trail Run  in the Oakland Hills, got off to a late start. We got stuck in traffic approaching the Bay Bridge and by the time we arrived at the park and checked in, we were already 16 minutes behind. That’s no excuse for my poor finish, though. My time for the 19 mile run (subtracting the 16 minutes) was 3:54:44. Mark’s actual time was 3:12:14. Not his best time, either. The elevation gain was 3,070 feet, not as difficult as some of our other runs. I need to train harder!  

The Big Sur marathon was both long and vertical (5700 feet elevation climb). It was probably not meant for marathon first-timers, but oh well. I expected it to be foggy and cool (it started at 9 in the morning), but it was pretty warm from the start. There was not as much shade as I expected either. I finished 40th out of 69 men and women, and Mark finished 15th. The results can be seen at:

http://www.envirosports.com/results/event/1964/results.php.

We encountered two separate yellow-jacket attacks at Big Basin on Sunday. The second worse than the first, apparently here is why: “If you get stung, get moving! When yellow-jackets sting they may leave behind a small amount of chemical marker that identifies you as an enemy of the nest. For this reason you should quickly leave the area after being stung before other wasps have a chance to swarm.”  Both nests were near waterfalls (so they tell me, but I was too busy screaming to notice). The bees were sticking to our bodies and getting stuck in our hair. 

Today, two days later, I’m counting 14 stings total. The pain is gone, but they itch like crazy. I was one of the wimps who quit early. I think most people kept running. Mark finished the entire 15.9 miles, but I quit after the first 10 mile leg, which is where the first aid station was. Eleven days left until our marathon!

Our trail marathon is just nine weeks away!  My times aren’t really improving, but my stamina is. Last weekend I ran solo up to skyline via the Bear Gulch Trail from Wunderlich Park. The first 65 minutes of the run is uphill! I was worried about running alone and not having Mark there to tell me how slow I am. I actually found the 11 mile run pretty easy and I could have kept running, except that I had to get to an open house. 

On Saturday, Mark and I ran in the Angel Island 25 Km Trail Run (www.pctrailruns.com).  It was an unbelievable experience!  We boarded a Tiburon ferry at 7:50 am for a cold 10 minute ride to the island. The run consisted of three loops around the island- a perimeter loop, a middle loop and a summit loop- totalling about 15.7 miles. The views of the Bay and the coast were beautiful. Both our times were faster than last weekend’s 13.5 mile run in Pacifica.

Today’s half marathon, actually a little less than 13 miles, got off to a slow start as the approximately 200 runners crowded on the narrow uphill trail at the starting line. For the first 10 minutes, we had to walk. It would have been better had Mark and I started at the front of the group, but somehow we ended up in the back. The path would remain narrow for most of the run, making it hard to pass people. Additionally, the trail was very rocky, so I had to really focus on the ground. The sun never came out, which made for the perfect running temperature. This run was much harder than the Skyline Ridge run. I believe the elevation climb was 3000 feet. Our times can be seen at http://ourruntimes.googlepages.com.

My most scenic run yet, at Pacifica’s San Pedro Valley Park, is coming up is less than two weeks. The 13 mile run includes a 2930 foot elevation gain. The trail travels through Eucalyptus trees and past Brooks Falls, and on to North Peak overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The park is located in the northern spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains and features the only undisturbed Coastal Mountain Habitat found in over 100 miles of coastline.

I guess I got a little ahead of myself believing I could run from Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino up to the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. Sixteen miles round trip, the distance alone is not that bad. However, add hot temperatures and steep climbs, it becomes ugly. I was fine for the first hour, but then the hills and the temperatures got to me.  Mark kept running, while I had to walk. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be able to do the run up. Before I could even reach the top, Mark was on his way down and insisted that I turn around and go back. I was dehydrated, so was he, and it was getting hotter. This was the first run that I couldn’t complete. I began questioning whether or not I would be ready for the Big Sur marathon in September. I have a long way to go.

On Monday, Mark and I ran up Windy Hill, an eight mile run that has become easy, so easy that we questioned whether or not it was a good use of time.

Our times can be seen at http://ourruntimes.google.pages.com

Rancho San Antonio Park was the place to be on Saturday afternoon. Mark saw an owl upon entering the parking lot. Then, within a 95 minute window, we saw a baby snake, multiple rabbits, a ton of birds and a total of 3 bobcats!  Mark saw the first two crossing a trail. Later, near the farm, there was another bobcat walking down the pedestrian path, totally ignoring all the people watching it. On Sunday we ran Windy Hill, but unfortunately we didn’t see any animals.