On my way down to San Diego today, I ran at the Santa Rosa Plateau. Did the same trail as a few weeks ago - from the Visitors Center (on Clinton Keith) out via Punta Mesa trail, past the Adobe House to the Vernal Pools, then back via Trans Preserve trail. See a map of the park here. Saw a few tarantulas along the way and actually saw two other trail runners doing the same course I was but in reverse. Lots of snow on the surrounding mountains which made for nice views. Distance 9.88mi
Had the day off today so I went for a long run at the Box Springs reserve mountain park. I can see the peak of Box Springs from my window and I've been thinking about doing this run for a while, today seem like a good day to do it.
It was a nice cloudy day, cool and looking like it was going to rain. Started from home and ran up Central, Watkins, Blain, and Belvedere to the Two Trees trailhead (behind UCR area) which started at 3.2 miles. Headed up Two Trees which is really steep, finding myself at a fast walk pace at times. The trail ends where it meets the Box Springs tower dirt road, at this point I headed up to the top of the road where the "M-trail" starts (the big "M" seen from Moreno Valley). Total elevation gain was 3,000 feet now at 7 miles. From here I took the M-trail down into Moreno Valley. M-trail is a steep single track trail that is very loamy. Meeting Pigeon Pass road, I took Ironwood to Lochmoor and back to Central Ave. Both trails are in good condition and the view of Riverside and Moreno Valley are unbeatable. Total distance 13.5 miles.
Ran Mt. Rubidoux tonight just before sunset, easy pace up and down. Lots of people out tonight.
I was down in San Diego today so I stopped to run at Lake Hodges. The weather was nice, sunny and around 70F. Started from the trailhead at Via Rancho Parkway and ran West, taking the upper trail on the North side of the lake. Followed the trail to the marina then on pavement over to the park near Del Dios Hwy where I picked up the trail again. I was planning on running to the dam (for 15 miles round trip), but about a mile from it the trail was closed (w/ chain link fencing near the Hideaway restaurant) due to construction so I turned back. Followed the same route back but taking the lower trail. 12.7 miles at a 9min/mi average. To see an active player of the course, click here .
Nice cloudy weather today with a cold drizzle the whole way. Started out at the Central Ave trailhead (just across the street from home) and ran up and over past the Pepsi bottling plant. Then East along the North side of the creek to the Chevron at I-215/Alessandro and back West on the South side. Crossed the gas pipe, past the burning nettles and back up and over to the Central Ave trailhead. 8.37mi at a nice 9:50min/mi average.
Its just such a convenient run that I keep going there. I just kept a good pace (8min/mi) going up and finished with a 7:08min/mi overall.
Ran Mt. Rubidoux again today. It was a personal best for me on this run. The course is 3.88mi w/ 820ft elevation change. My time 27:02min (6:58mi/mi), beating my previous best by 2min. The hill is about comparable to the Torrey Pines hill in the La Jolla 1/2 Marathon so if I can add 4 1/2 miles on either side of this run, I'll be good for the race on April 22.
On the way back from San Diego, ran at the Santa Rosa Plateau reserve today. Started out at the Visitors Center and ran out to the (dry )Vernal pools and back doing a loop around the perimeter of the park. Stayed on the East side of Tenaja and Clinton Keith roads. This may be one of the nicest trails I've run (well maintained) and the views are great. There is a $2 fee (voluntary per person) to use the area but the Visitors Center has a nice bathroom to use when it is open.
Ran Mt. Rubidoux today doing the usual route just around sunset. There were more people out today probably due to DST making it light out later.
Ran Mt. Rubidoux this morning from the trail entrance gate (4 miles). The DST time change threw me off a liitle but it was good to get our early since it is getting hot here (high should be 102F today).
Went to Torrey Pines state reserve today for some trail running. Started out at the lower parking lot and ran up to and around the Guy Flemming loop then up the Beach Trail trailhead at the top. Ran down Razor Point trail to Beach Trail then up then Broken Hill and North Fork trails and then back down the road. 5.7 miles total. Starting to get crowded at the beach since there was no parking at the top lot.
Finally got a longer run in today. I started out from home and ran to Mt. Rubidoux (5.5 miles) and then up and down Mt. Rubidoux for just under 9.5 mi total. Made it to the top just after the sun set into the smog.
Ran in Sycamore Canyon (Riverside) today. It was only a short (3.8 mile) run but boy is it hilly! Saw a small snake on the way but it wasn't a rattler. Too bad my Garmin watch was dead at the start of the run (so I had to get the distance from gmaps pedometer).
