too big a bite

biting off more than i can chew; how many times have i been guilty of that? sunday was another instance, but fortunately, this time it had a happy ending.

with the twin peaks 50/50 looming, the coach is upping my mileage and giving me longer runs closer together. this week ended up being one of the larger mileage weeks that i've had in recent months. three runs of 10+ miles, including a tough 2x4 mile interval workout and a long run of 14 on friday had me sitting at 40 miles for the week when i stepped onto the trail for a 20-22 mile run sunday morning.

i planned on running a similar route that jessica, matt and i ran several months ago, linking the aliso creek, laguna wilderness and el moro parks together. the route included some significant climbing and very few spots to bail should things get a little more than i could handle. i first dropped down into wood canyon via mathis and then back up the canyon to cholla. once back up on the ridge, i headed to stair step and down into laguna canyon. the weather was pretty chilly, but i had dressed properly and was actually quite comfortable in the 30 degree temps and wind.

up into laguna coast wilderness park i went, and feeling pretty good the whole way. i could feel the miles from the week, but being out on the trails and enjoying the solitude continued to be at the fore of my mind. i linked up with the trails in el moro and ran the loop, ending up at the el moro ranger station by about 14.5 miles. i refueled and headed off on the next leg of the run. a mile into the el moro loop, i was part way up bfi hill, the one that caused flipperhead to use my name as a swear word. i paused for a moment and looked down the hill at the pacific coast highway, easily a couple hundred meters away and access to a gentle stroll along the coast and one climb back to where i'd parked. i turned and looked up bfi, a grueling climb and the beginning of many more miles of tough hills. tempting, but i'd signed up for the race and damnit if i was going to bail without really seeing what my body could handle, and up bfi i went.

about six miles later i was back at the bottom of laguna canyon, just over 21 miles and looking up the daunting climb of stair step, with three miles left to go. i'd misjudged the distance and it was looking like the run was going to end up being 24 miles. my legs were beyond feeling like lead and my left hip was complaining any time i lifted my leg higher than normal. i knew i was going to pay and some of the hardest running was still ahead. again, i told myself that i'd signed up for this, to get going and not stop. so up i went. and up. and up. but before i knew it, i was back on the ridge and headed back to the 'top of the world'. the trail continued under my feet and before i knew it, i was on the final mile. and we all know the mantra that goes along with that last mile. "i can do anything for a mile". and it was true. i crested the summit and saw my vehicle and realized just how hard and deep i'd had to dig to finish the run, but confident that twin peaks was now doable.