The G Running Diary

Two Long Runs: 2/17/04

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We took advantage of the Monday holiday by doing two long runs in the long weekend. Saturday's run was Mission Peak to Sunol and back. Monday's run was up Rhus Ridge to Montebello Road and back. The weather for the weekend didn't look that great, but we figured at least Saturday's run would be clear.

Unlike some serious runners we know, we got up late and started our run even later. We had flashlights with us in case it took a really long time. It was great to get out there. I realized that this was a great training ground. Not only is there a long ascent to Mission Peak, but the trail over the backside to Sunol is a long downhill. Downhill training is very good for the quads. We saw a flock of magpies. They seemed to be taking over. Out at Sunol there is a horse place where you can get water. We saw a group coming down the trail on the other side of the valley.

On our way back we kept going at a good pace on the long uphill. When we headed down the main trail of Mission Peak, we saw quite a few people (I guess they watch the sunset). A guy on a rock asked if we'd been to the summit. I said we ran up and over from Sunol, so he asked how we would get back to our car. But we had come from here to Sunol and back. He was impressed. He was sort of whooping about it, saying, "good one." We continued running fast downhill. It was dusk and I thought of the Ridge Trail. I liked looking out over the Bay Area and seeing the lights against the dusky sky.

Sunday we rested, barely even leaving the house. We had computer stuff to do. The rain came down.

So Monday we eventually headed out in the rain. It wasn't that bad. After we made it up the initial Rhus Ridge hill, the Black Mountain trail is rolling and runnable. There weren't any real views with the low clouds, but the trees and plants were all very green. It was peaceful. The higher we went, the more rain and wind we encountered. But it still wasn't that bad. And weather never seems that bad if you know that you are soon going to turn around and head for home. On the way back we saw a couple deer in a little area protected by the trees. They just stood and stared at us for a while, as we were staring back at them. At this point I decided I liked the rain. We were done before we knew it.