Figueroa Mtn Safari

Phoebe and some cows

First Tarantula of the season...kinda blurry
Bobcat! He's a beauty.


Yep, it's still closed. We slipped under some barbed wire and disregarded a no trespassing sign to do our run today. I'm not advocating this type of behaviour, but c'mon, I've been more than patient. Phoebe chased, or rather, herded, loads of cows and was as happy as a pig in shit. This is the job she was born to do. She was so pleased with herself. I must say, it was helpful as the cows were all over the trail and she moved them right along.

The weather has been hot lately, so I felt sorta sluggish on my run. Maybe I'm just tired, who knows. It was great to see all the creatures, though. The bobcat was huge and the tarantula is just the first of many. Tarantulas are always seen crossing Figueroa Mtn Rd, as you can see from the sign. I had to brake hard for this guy. I will get a better picture next time and show some size comparison. He was big.

Off to run in Santa Barbara. It looks like they have opened some trails and I expect it will be a little cooler there, but muggy. Oh well.

Happy Trails.

Fire Update

My training has not been blog worthy lately. I have been running mainly on the road and treadmill. Here is the latest update on the Fire, which looks pretty positive for a change. I may be out on my trails again soon.

Beware of Mountain Lions and Prisoners

I started my run yesterday in the fog. I found that when they say the forest is closed,they mean it. I had a hard time finding trails to run and even when I did, the forest service and firefighters kept popping up and redirecting me. I ended up doing a run on mostly new fire roads and getting lost, as usual.

At first glance, I thought these orangle clad people were firefighters, but as I got closer, I noticed 'prisoner' on the side of their pants. They were all women, too, and exactly what you imagine they would look like. Yikes. They were calling me honey and remarking to each other about how cute I was. I found out that their job was to carry these hoses back to the trucks at Upper Oso campground. It was quite a hike for them, it was impressive. I figured it was probably better than sitting inside prison.

One very nice fire fighter showed me his map of all the new fire roads and tried to give me clear directions on getting back to Paradise Rd. I took a picture of the map(top picture) so I could look at it later. He warned me that there were several mountain lions in the area, due to the fire and that I should be very careful. This was about the fourth person who told me the same thing. Normally, I could relax and not worry too much about such things, but I kept seeeing deer, thinking they were hungry mountain lions and getting startled. Unfortunatley, his directions still didn't get me back to the right area.

I didn't mind so much being lost, but I ended up on private property and some woman scolded me. She directed me off the ranch, which put me on Stagecoach Rd., which ends at Paradise. From there, I had 8 miles of road to get back to my car. I ran out of water and was sufficiently tired when I reached the car, but loaded up on water and went out for a few more miles. I saw mountain lion tracks over my shoe prints from hours before. This freaked me out.

I took this picture from the top of the Alisos Trail. It surprised me how dry the river looked. Despite it all, the fire, the mountain lions and the lack of water, I was so happy to be out there again. I really miss the access to the trails. It's going to be very interesting exploring where the fire has been and see what new roads and trails have been made to get to the fire.

Sky Blue Sky

Monday was a 10 mile treadmill run, which is actually getting easier. There is something oddly satisfying about watching the miles tick by. Tuesday was...gasp...a rest day. Today I went up Refugio, with the beautiful blue sky revealing itself between the trees and the lovely fresh, smoke-free air filling my lungs. It was orgasmic. I mean it, it was a great run.

I am planning to do a long (40 mile) run tomorrow. With the sky so clear, I may be able to do it around here, cross your fingers for me. I may have to cross some "road closed" signs, but that's the right of an ultrarunner, right? I have seen many of these signs lately. Unless I see fire, and the forest service people, I'm going in. Wish me luck.

AC Trail Work Completed

I spent the weekend in the Angeles Forest, out of the smoke filled skies of Santa Barbara County. I met a group of guys in Pasadena early Saturday morning to do some trail work on the very trail we would be running, most likely in the dark, at AC100. I say a group of 'guys' since the women doing the race have apparently already finished their trail work, being the more organized of the sexes. Where does that leave me?? Let's just say, it wasn't so bad being a less organized female.

I camped overnight and got out early for a run Sunday morning, with another runner, up to Mt. Baden-Powell. I would like to have gone farther, but had to get back to Santa Ynez for the kids piano recital. I had to show up straight from the road, not having showered in 2 days and run/hiked many miles in the heat. But, I made it, despite the 3 motorcycle accidents on the Angeles Hwy, the awful traffic, where there has never been traffic before, and all the terrible drivers on the road.

I met some amazing runners, who, upon meeting, would never tell you they are so good. It is only by their friends or checking their results, that you would know how awesome they are. One runner, Guillermo, has just moved to my area and was asking me about trails to run. I thought I heard someone say he won AC a couple of years back, and sure enough, he won in 2005. WON! I spent some time with another runner who kept insisting he wasn't that fast, but someone else says he just won a local marathon. Once again, WON! So, when I say, I'm not fast, I mean it. But, I'm not buying it from the crowd I met this weekend.

I'm not sure if I feel more intimidated about this race or less, after this weekend. I'm certainly going to try to get back to the course and do at least one more long training run out there. It's good to have the mandatory trail work done. It was great to meet Hal Winton, the race director, and hear stories of past races and all of the obstacles they have had to deal with, like road closures and fires. It was definitely good to connect with some of the other runners and feel like part of the ultra world. Let me tell you, it is definitely another world.

Runs with Fire

I awoke once again to a bright orange sun and smoke filled skies yesterday. I decided to try going south, to Santa Barbara, to do a trail run. It was even worse in SB. I could see the ash like silvery snow coming down and when I stepped out of my car, my black shirt was covered with grey specks. I went running anyway, although I thought it was a little odd that there were no other cars at the trailhead. As I went higher up, toward Camino Cielo Rd, I could actually feel the heat from the fire and the smoke and ash were really bad. I started to get a little nervous, and turned around. I still got in a 2 hour run and didn't feel too bad from the smoke.

When I got to the bottom, the forest service people were waiting and scolded me for being out in such poor conditions and told me the forest was closed. From Cuyama to Ventura, no access! I still can't believe the fire has endured this long. It's a good thing I am going to the Angeles Forest this weekend for trail work and running.

The sky doesn't look much better this morning, but I'm going out anyway. I guess I should just enjoy the lovely orange and red sunrise and mushroom clouds over the mountains. The yellowy sky doesn't do much for me, it just looks like smog. My camera battery died and the charger is half here and half in Utah, so until the two pieces are reunited, I will not have pictures to post.

Anyone have advice on training in bad air conditions? They say the forest will be closed until at least mid September.

I saw this article this morning. http://www.yahoo.com/s/652108. This marathon wonder boy is 4 and his trainer who was arrested says he has been training him for 2 years. What? Since he was 2? This is creepy.

The Dreaded Treadmill

So, I've had to run on my treadmill a lot the last few days. With a party to put on for a sante (my business) this weekend, the kids and working, I have not had a chance to get out for a run. It's pretty crazy to spend hours in the garage watching people running by and being a captive audience. I try to vary my routine- steep uphill climbs, fast flat running, boring slight incline, but my mind still tries to get me off the damn thing. It was pointed out to me that this is very good training for the hours I will spend alone and tired at AC. It is always a challenge to keep your mind from sandbagging you.



I saw an article on the Speedgoat Blog about a uphill treadmill race between Scott Jurek, Karl Meltzer and Dave Mackey at the Outdoor Retailer show this past weekend. Mackey took both Karl and Scott! I will say, from experience, that it probably wasn't that fun, but I would have enjoyed watching those guys battle it out.

Off to the garage for one last dreaded run...tomorrow I am free!

Pacers Wanted

Looks like I am in need of a pacer, or two, for Angeles Crest. My former pacer(and best guy friend), Justin, is injured and needs to deal with rehabilitating correctly so he can run again. I know there is someone out there who wants to run in the mountains at night. Raul, aka Rocketman, has offered to pace the last 15 miles. That leaves 33 miles or so for someone. I'm thinking maybe I don't really need a pacer, but I think it's safe to say I don't really know how I'm going to feel at mile 52.

What's a Switchback?

Phoebe finally made it to the top of Grass Mountain. I think I will change the name to "What's a switchback?" Mountain, due to the no f*cking around, straight up nature of the trail. Besides Grass Mountain sounds lame. This is a training run worthy of the speedgoats in Utah. I'm going to start timing myself and try to increase my speed. Too bad this area is private property, so there is no good information on the mileage and elevation gain. Looks like I will have to invest in one of those crazy watches with the altimeter and such. I see the benefit of all the new gear, I'm just more interested in things like new trail shoes and running skirts, now those things are interesting!

I did a second run on the Jesusita trail yesterday at dusk. The fire made for a lovely sunset. All red and orange and eerie. We have to appreciate the beautiful accidents in life. I was really fatigued before the run, but felt great during. I'm always surprised when this happens, but I like to think that means I am getting stronger.

I have been running so much recently, that so many of my calories are coming from hammer gel, heed and the occasional larabar. I wonder if this is healthy? I have been so tired at night , though, that sleep has been really blissful.

New Shoes

I took my new shoes for a run today. I can't believe my luck! I bought 50% off shoes at my favorite running store, Santa Barbara Running, and they had my size and they're great. If I wasn't so tired right now, I'd go out again, just to make sure they are as fantastic as I thought they were this morning. They are Montrail Highline and they aren't as rigid as my Continental Divide Montrails, but rigid enough to take some rocks. I don't know.....I think I'm in love.

Tuesday Training

Tuesday training is always a little tricky. I normally work a full day and have the kids, so that leaves little time for training on my own. Today I woke up early and started my day with a quick uphill run on the treadmill, with a cup of joe close at hand. Later in the afternoon, I snuck in another smallish run ( 4 miles ) before I had to pick up the kids. All told, about 8 miles total for the day. Not as much as I'd hoped, but for a Tuesday, I'll take it.

The thing I am noticing about shorter runs and running on the treadmill, is that I tend to push myself more. When I am on the trail for hours, I tend to be more gentle with myself, which is probably okay some of the time. Lately, I have had the kids ride their bikes along side of me while I run. They are great little coaches, yelling at me to go faster and taking turns pacing me. They get annoyed when they have to wait for me at intersections, which makes me run faster to catch up, or I have to suffer their great sighs of exasperation at my "snail pace".

Fire and Frustration

I had my mind set on driving to Wrightwood and doing a long training run on Saturday. I thought it would get me out of the smoke and give me a chance to look at the start of AC100. This wasn't in the cards, I guess, as too many things came up to prohibit this adventure. I spent most of Saturday morning looking for access to a trail to run. The Zaca fire had caused all access to Figueroa and Paradise and highway 154 was closed. I even went out 166 past Santa Maria and the access road to some wilderness out there was even closed. I tried a trail a friend told me about, but it was just way too hot for Phoebe and there was no shade to leave her in the car.

Needless to say, I was pretty irritated and just wanted to run! I finally settled on grass mountain and decided to take my chance with the smoke and trail closures. I was able to access this trail as usual and tried out some new loops that I recently learned about. It was scorching and I only had my two water bottle carrier, which is great, but doesn't hold as much water as my hydration pack. I was miserable by the end, with no water, no shade and rubber legs from going up grass mountain twice. I think the elevation gain must be like 3,000 ft. I have to check on this. It's straight up. It really hurts. I spent 4 hours out there. It took me a while to rehydrate at home.

The next day I went to Romero Canyon and did a 3 hour out and back run. I ran into some mountain bikers and two runners. All from out of town. They all loved the trail and the views of the ocean and the mountains. The weather pretty perfect yesterday. I even fell in love with Santa Barbara again. I felt great, too, not at all fatigued from Saturdays run which surprised me.

I heard this morning from a client who is on evacuation alert, that they now estimate the fire will go till October. October! I just hope there are some nice trails left for me to run around on. We all need to do a little rain dance.



Zaca fire from grass mountain