M.O.R.E.: The Long and Winding Road

Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Long and Winding Road

Today's run was just that, long and winding. All total we put in 7 miles, and managed to keep a very respectable pace (under 9:30, I believe). I know that we ran the first 3.5 miles at a 9:16 pace and that is very exciting for me, even if it was all on the downhill. We were joined this morning by C's two 19 year old daughters and our friend Mary. The girls ran on ahead, but I think just having them to follow made us run faster, and farther, because we ran an extra half mile to check on the one that was farthest to make sure she wasn't waiting for us on the train bridge. We started out from Albertsons on Copperhill and followed the trail to the train bridge, and then headed back the same way. When we were on our way to dinner last night there was much discussion about where we should run this morning be cause of the Amgen bike race that was coming through town, and because we didn't want the younger girls to get lost if we ran one of our more complicated routes. The fifteen minute discussion in the car gave my husband such a headache that he told me that is why he runs alone. Well, I beg to differ, because that fifteen minute discussion led to a very enjoyable run this morning that worked out in the best way for all of us. I will admit to being sore this afternoon, and I am sure even more so tomorrow, but am looking forward to our next run, Monday 4:30 @ Chesebrough Park.

7 comments:

marathon mom said...: I have to be honest. I used the ploy of making sure C's daughter wasn't waiting for us on the bridge so that we could run farther today. Sorry, but I figured our motherly instincts would kick in and fuel us farther. I think having C's daughters definitely helped us pick up the pace. I just hope I didn't hold one of them back too much.; February 21, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Patty said...: I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by our pace today and I know it was because of the girls. It is nice for you to have someone to chase for a change, how fast do you think our old guy from Starbucks can run? I am not at all into "instant coffee"!; February 21, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Claire said...: Wow, 7 miles!! That is just awesome. Please keep in mind that when I run with you it will need to be a short and non-winding road :); February 22, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Patty said...: I am hoping the fact that you are planning on running with us means you will be out for a visit soon!; February 22, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Claire said...: I hope so too, but I mentioned it because essentially every time I run I am imagining running with the MORE group and it makes me nervous! I suppose I do fit the MORE criteria but I don't know if I'm ready yet!; February 22, 2009 at 3:51 PM
marathon mom said...: Claire, when you come out for a visit you can choose the place based upon what you've been reading on M.O.R.E. We promise, we'll be nice and won't abandon you in the middle of nowhere. That goes for anyone else who wants to try and come on a run with us. We always make it work.; February 22, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Patty said...: That is so true, the thing I appreciate about running with my friends is their complete willingness to accommodate my schedule, my fitness level or just my bad mood. I don't come by that trait naturally, and I think that is one of the things my husband doesn't understand about the 15 minute discussions about where we are going to run. Thank you girls!; February 22, 2009 at 10:24 PM

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Favorite Trails

South Fork 3.1: Start from dirt parking lot on Magic Mtn Pkway and run to the loop at Wiley Bridge and return the same way.

Tesoro 3.25: Start in Albertson parking lot and take sidewalk/trail until it ends and then enter the water tower road to the top two towers where the ends. Return the same way.

Chesebrough 3.25/4.60: From Chesebrough Park, N. to Copperhill, So. on Bike Trail, turn around at Decoro, back up trail to power lines to bridge at park. Turn around at Heritage will give you 4.6 miles.

Chesebrough 3.5: Chesebrough Park down to McBean, south to Northpark Dr., the paseo trailhead. Take the paseo to Helmers and back. Very hilly.

Bridgeport 4.0: Fairly flat, run toward Lowes and under Bouquet bridge to RiverPark community until you reach the closed gates and return. For a hilly run, go north into Helmers and run up the paseo switchbacks into Northpark where the paseo ends and return the same way.

Chesebrough 4.0: N. to Copperhill to west side of river trail, run S. on Bike Trail past Decoro bridge, across Decoro to the east side of river trail, up back to power lines trail, back to park.

Chesebrough 4.0: From park down power line trail to Heritage Park and back same way.

Bridgeport 4.0: From School, cross McBean via bridge or street and head into industrial center on Ave. Scott Bridge and enter bike trail going south toward the train bridge. Turn around at train bridge and return same way or cross the bridge and head toward Peet's after crossing train bridge and back onto the Lowes Trail.

Heritage 4.0: From park, run up bike trail to Decoro, over McBean Bridge into Helmers, and into Bridgeport through lake trail back to park. Can be done in reverse. Moderately hilly.

Chesebrough 4.25: Chesebrough north to Copperhill, left to Albertson side of bike trail. Run south on trail to Decoro and cross over bridge and head north all the way to Copperhill on east side of river trail and back to the park the same way as started.

Cheese/Decoro/Helmers 4.25: From the park, down dirt trail to bike path, south to Decoro. Leave bike path at Decoro and cross paseo bridge at McBean. Stay on paseo up hill towards Helmers. Run up water tower trail once then continue on to switchbacks and paseos back to park.

Heritage/Bridgeport 3.3: Heritage Park south to McBean Bridge @ Panera. Cross and head toward Lowes bike trail and head east toward Bridgeport Park. Halfway mark is at park bathroom, head back by entering trail along the lake and back onto the bridge.

Lowes 4.25: Lowe's parking lot to McBean, cross the bridge and to South Fork. At Valencia Bridge, enter trail behind Hart Baseball diamonds. Continue on trail to Bouquet and across the bridge on the east side and back under the bridge again towards Lowes.

Peet's & Decoro 5.2: Peet's Coffee to train bridge path; to Decoro and across bridge; back down McBean side of bike trail back to Peete's.

Peet's & Wiley 6.0: Start at Peet's Coffee and head east toward South Fork trail and past the Wiley Bridge. Keep running another 200 yards to where the trail forks left and right. Turn back same way.

Peet's & Copperhill 6.0: From Peet's to bike trail heading north to Copperhill and back.

Albertson 7.0: From the Albertson parking lot on Copperhill, enter the westside bike trail and head south until the train bridge. Return the same way.

Peet's 8.5: Run to Copperhill on east side of river trail and return via train bridge on other side.

Lowes 10: Start in the Lowes parking lot. Enter the bike trail heading west. At McBean, cross the bridge and head east toward SouthFork trail. Continue on trail until you come to the Wiley bridge and head back the same way.

McBean 14: This route can be done from anywhere along the trail route. Starting from McDonald's across the post office, run to the end of the South Fork trail and return the same way, cross the McBean bridge and run on the Lowes trail until you hit Bridgeport Elementary and then cross Newhall Ranch via the bridge or street and run back towards McBean. Continue north on McBean until you hit Copperhill. At Copperhill, cross McBean and enter San Francisquito bike trail and run south on the trail until you are back at McDonalds.