May 25th Workout

On Friday May 25th, I ran Wood Canyon. I hadn't been in the canyon for months, so the experience was fresh.

The day was bright and sunny. I started the run at 12:20. It would have been hot without wind, but an afternoon breeze had picked up, rustling the sycamores and willows and making their long leaves and fresh branches into ribbons in the wind. The contrasts were startling--blue sky, bright new green leaves and brown grass from the current lack of rain.

Aliso Creek was low but still flowing. The oaks at the end of the trail near the Butt Breaker hills were their shadowy, comfortable selves.

I tried to keep a consistent 8:30 pace, but I kept fluctuating my speed. I am working on pacing and finding it a challenge. At the start of a run, I want to go too fast. The Garmin 305 has been helping me with this.

Other interesting observations: There is something creepy about running with a vulture circling above you. I know it wasn't for me, but as it searches for food, itis a little spot of death in the air--all black with a blood red head. Thankfully I spotted a red tail hawk a little while later--hawks are anything but death. They are somehow life.

Two mountain biker riders passed me a few yards (probably thirty) before Butt Breaker 1. I caught them and passed them on the hill. Raw human energy defeats mechanical contraption. Sorry boys! Then I put some distance between us. They caught me again in the flat between the Butt Breakers, but the ascent up Butt Brreaker 2 was another victory of man over machine. I hauled by them breathing hard and smiling as they struggled to keep their bikes up right. They never caught me. They stopped at the rest area near the top of the hill while I tagged the park gate, hit my lap button and began my descent through the canyon.

Vital Stats:

9.22 miles total
Total Ascent: 1230 ft.
Total Descent: 1233 ft.
155 Heart beats per min. average
181 Heart beat max.
8:26 average pace/mile
7.1 mi/hr average speed
10.9 mi/hr max speed
1436 calories burned