Huntington Lake Hiking/Running Routes

If you ever happen to find yourself near Huntington Lake and are looking for some good routes to run or hike, I've got a couple you should check out. Both of these trails start at the end of Upper Deer Creek rd., where the D&F Pack Station is(there is a big sign that says parking for hikers). The first one takes you away from the normal switchback route to Kaiser, it spreads out the elevation gain over about 9-10 miles en route to the Peak. From the Peak you continue on down the trail about 5-5.5 miles back to where you began (last 5 is pretty steep, but a nice quick way down if you're running).

This route starts from the same place as the last one and takes you almost the same way, except about 4-4.5 miles in you will come to a wooden sign that points you to the left for Nellie Lake or you stay straight to get Kaiser Peak. The Lake is about 1.5 miles from this marker and relatively flat, well compared to continuing towards the Peak. The lake is beautiful and is open to camping, with a permit, you'll see a couple fire pits in the clearing once you happen upon the lake.

Rocky Road Endurance Run 2012

I hope I can make some sense of this event since I was somewhat incoherent after bingeing on endorphins for almost twenty two and a half hours.
     Picking out the site of my first 100 mile run wasn't an easy task, there were a lot of things to consider. Terrain, elevation gain/loss, aid stations, cost and location were among some of the more important things for me to consider. I wanted a course that would challenge me, but 100 miles was going to be challenging enough so I wanted to make sure I didn't get myself into something to crazy. I found the Rocky Road Run on ultrasignup.com, it was around the perfect time in mid February and the course was designed for first time 100 mile racers. The course is laid out amongst an upscale community called Cota de Coza in Orange County, it is a 7.5 mile out and back dirt trail that travels along the roadside. Now those two things that make it ideal for 1st timers are the two things I avoid when I go trail running, cars on the road and multiple out and back repeats, neither of those appeal to me. But in the interest of having a successful race I realized that having access to almost constant aid, every 2.5 miles and being able to know exactly where I am with the out and back repeats, would make my 100mile journey very possible.
      When I signed up for the race I told my friends and family what I had gotten myself into and asked if they wanted to be a part of it, as I would need all the support I could get. I got one of my good friends and his wife to drive down with my wife and I, then my family and my in-laws were going to meet us down there on race day. I couldn't ask for anything better than having so many people with me that I care about to help support me throughout the race, I was really happy that so many of them could make it.
      We left for the race on friday at about 3pm, which turned out to be a big mistake, we made it all the way to LA without hitting any traffic, from LA on it was a crawl for about 4 hours until we finally hit the toll roads that lead to Lake Forest. By the time we ate dinner and got back to the hotel it was after 10pm and I had to be up by about 4:30am, I didn't fall asleep until sometime after 12:30. Waking up after 4 hours of sleep knowing that you are committed to running a 100 miles makes you wonder if you should have made sleep more of a priority before such an endeavor, but eh screw it. We got to the start of the race with time to spare, I picked up my race bib, we set up our canopy and I got the rest of my gear ready to go while I stayed warm in the car.

Getting ready for a long day

    Rocky Road Endurance Run 2012 ResultsThe race started about 10 minutes late, which wasn't a big deal because I knew we were going to be out running all day. I took off to fast just like I do any other race but not so fast that It would be a problem later on. I hit averaged about a 8:45-9 min pace for the first 15 miles and coming into the start/finish I was feeling trashed. My left foot was hurting me and that foot never gave me any issues. On top of that my calves and hamstrings were super tight, which I attributed to cramping but I wasn't completely sure at the time, since I had only put in 15 miles. So while I stopped at my tent I made sure to get some salt caps and took a couple extra gels with me. I also switched out my Salomon trail shoes for my lighter Hattori's, thinking that maybe my shoes were contributing to my foot pain. I also slid on my zoot compression sleeves to help stabilize and keep my leg for cramping. So I go out for my next 15 mile loop and my legs are starting to feel better but I immediately regret changing my shoes, although they are lighter I can feel the rocks on the trail a bit too much. I just suck it and move though. By this time the sun is up and it's starting to warm up and everything was coming together. Coming into my tent with 30 miles down I feel a whole lot better and I eat a pp&j, drink some naked berry machine, swig some red bull, put my trail shoes back on, refill on gels and water then head back put. The next 15 went real well, along the way I ran into my buddy Eric who was running the 50 miler and he's hauling ass in second place. It was starting to warm up so I told him to be careful and keep up on his electrolytes. By the time i come back in for 45 I am completely revived my legs are great and I'm moving at a steady pace and looking forward to the rest of the race. A few miles out from the 60 mile mark I called my wife and put in a request for some In n Out fries and a burger, my buddy Kyle at Sierra Running Company gave me the idea a few days before. In n Out never tasted so good, I inhaled the burger and fries at the turn around. I Headed out for my next loop I was all fueled up and feeling good I had my headlamp and jacket on looking to embrace the night. The next 30 miles went by pretty quick I made sure to keep a steady pattern of walking the hills and running the down and flats. I stayed as alert as possible since there were some rutted out portions on the trail as well as sporadically placed sandbags.

mile 45

   By mile 90 I was feeling pain in my left ankle and fatigue was starting to really set in, knowing that I only had 10 miles left was motivating but at the same time I was ready to be done. I walked miles 90-95 with my wife then she got picked up to meet me back at the finish. The last 5 miles were really surreal and seeing others out there that still had anywhere from 5 to 25 miles left I really learned a new respect for them. Respect for their love of the Ultra, that they don't care how long it takes, they want to be there and they are going to finish no matter what. As I approached the finish it didn't see like I had traveled 100 miles it just felt like a very very long day of running. As I crossed the line my wife, family and friends were all there cheering me on and I was so happy that I made it, I didn't care about my time I just wanted my belt buckle and my shirt and to get the hell out of there! We did just that everyone was packed and ready to go so we took a couple pictures and headed back to the hotel.

Grubbing on some In N Out at mile 60

My hotdog sister at mile 75

My amazing wife and I at mile 95

Jordan and Ash w/me and my new buckle  

The whole crew at the finish

     As the days have gone by since the race I am beginning to appreciate my accomplishment and all that went into getting me to the finish. I am blessed to have a body that will do all the things I ask of it and more. To have such great people in my life that support the crazy things I do is also a blessing. Now what's next?
Rocky Road Endurance Run 2012 Results

Post Avalon 50 mile Race

It's the day after the race and I feel really good. I couldn't be more pleased with how the day went and even more happy that I came in under 9hrs.
    With the race starting at 5am I thought I would be freezing cold until the sun came up but the weather was perfect. Nice cool temps starting out and heading into a 1600' climb helped to keep me warm. It was an awesome view getting to the top of the first climb and looking back down the trail seeing a long line of runners headlamps zigzagging back down the mountain.

Bottles in the air. (sweet action shot courtesy of my wife)

A great race

Sprinting into the finish

At the start ready to run

My GPS almost made it the whole 50

    The first 13 miles went by really fast, I was making sure to pace myself and not go out to fast. I walked the steep hills and looking at my splits stayed under 13min/mil on all of those portions. The aid stations were fully stocked and all the volunteers were awesome and really helpful. I stayed on top of my hydration/nutrition needs utilizing salt caps, GU gels, Cytomax and water, with the combination I didn't experience any cramping and felt good. The only mistake I did make was drinking a Mango fruit drink at around mile 40 which left my stomach in knots and had me dry heaving for 3 miles. It slowed me down a bit but thankfully it didn't last that long and sipping on water definitely helped. The last few miles were on steep downhill roads and I just let my legs go and flew down. With my GPS dying at 44 miles I didn't know if I was going to make it under 9 so I just ran as hard as I could and hoped for the best. Coming into Avalon and seeing the race clock knowing that I was going to finish under 9 hours I was overwhelmed and chucked my water bottles in the air and almost didn't cross through the actual finish tape they had up.  My time was 8hrs and 49 min I finished about 37th overall and had an awesome day.  Next up Rocky Road Endurance 100 mile run in February.

Avalon 50 mile Run. Game Time

Getting my gear ready for the Avalon 50 mile run this Saturday, I am super excited and ready to run. My last 50 mile run I did well and was happy with my performance, I ran a 9:47. The Avalon course is a little elevation gain (7600') than Dick Colllins firetrails so Im going to put forth my best effort and try to come in under 9 hrs. Going into this run I have learned a little bit more about what I need to do during the run in order to feel good and maintain a steady pace. I stopped by Sierra Running Company today and got plenty of GU gels some Cytomax and of course a license plate frame, which is absolutely necessary for a successful run. I will post more pics and my results after the run.

Rocky Road Endurance Run

I'm signing up for my first 100 mile run and have 85 days left to prepare myself. I'm really pumped for this race and look forward to destroying my legs over the 100 mile course. Still trying to figure what kinds of food and drinks I'll need for the day of but my stomach handles most things pretty well. I've got some good runs planned between then and including the Avalon benefit 50.