Last 2 Runs

Run 30 - 9.7 miles, 1,613 ft, 8:13/mi

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear is a zoo this time of year but I needed to get into the office for a bit of work so I brought the shoes with me and set out for a nice run around the village area. I ran the Memorial 5k course first and was laughing at how hard it is for a 5k. It made me smile! Bumped into aspiring track star Andrew Ochoa who lives and trains with Brenda Martinez (3rd place 800m at Worlds this year) up here in Big Bear. Andrew is fast. He won the 9 mile turkey trot in 52min! After a 15 minute chat I was back to running and now extra motivated so I hit some hill repeats behind the Village and took in the view!

Run 31 - 25.4 miles, 3,741 ft, 10:36/mi

Running on the PCT above the desert!

 I was pretty tired but being the last day I wanted to get out for a big run. Rachael dropped me off at Cactus Flats and I spent the better part of the day working my way up to the PCT and then up Gold Mountain and back home. It was an absolutely spectacular run just absorbing the last month. My legs were tired but my mind was strong. I definitely learned a lot more about running, and myself, during this month than I expected which is probably the best take away I could have asked for.

Week 4

Run 23 - 8.8 miles, 726 ft, 9:22/mi

Great View of Gold Mountain!

This was a tough run to get out on after the last few days of running around on Gold Mountain but once again the 31 in 31 challenge loomed ever present so I laced up the shoes and hit the road. The goal was to stay around the neighborhood in the flats but once I got moving I changed my mind and decided to go find a new hill to climb. I took it easy on the uphill off Shay rd and enjoyed the views of the landscape I had been on last weekend.

Run 24 - 18 miles, 2,207 ft, 9:18/mi

Coyote Crag, Holcomb Valley, and San G

After an easy day yesterday I was itching for some more mileage so it was back up Van Dusen Canyon and out to Holcomb Valley before hitting Gold Mountain summit again! I took a nice lap through the pinnacles and scrambled up the side of Coyote Crag to get a good look at the valley and San G. It was a gorgeous day out and being on the rock was a reminder of how running is just another way to be in the mountains and maybe after this 50 miler I'll try a 31 in 31 with climbing!

Run 25 - 3.8 miles, 8:40/mi

Hoka's One One is my footwear of choice.

What's better than going for a Christmas Day run? A Christmas Day run in a new pair of Hoka's! A few easy miles to shake out the legs from yesterday and break in the new kicks!

Run 26 - 14.2 miles, 3,037 ft, 10:01/mi

Cushenberry Summit and no more hills all the way home!

Rachael dropped me off at the bottom of the hill again after our weekly doctors appointment as the baby gets closer and it was all up the road from there. This run is different than being on trails as there are really no steep parts and not a lot of flat or down, just relentless up. Definitely a great way to get in some vert!

Run 27 - 4.5 miles, 1,319 ft, 13:32/mi

Sunset from north shore

Took the dogs out for a nice scramble up the north shore boulders and then bushwhacked our way over to our favorite trail for an adventurous sunset run. Bob Digger got scared in one of the rock gullies and I had to carry him up! It was hilarious and while I was waiting for him to try I was looking at this sunset view. This outing sums up everything I love about running, my dogs, the mountains, Big Bear, etc...

Run 28 - 21 miles, 3,171 ft, 9:51/mi

Bertha Peak as seen from Holcomb Valley

It is pretty much amazing running conditions in Holcomb Valley right now. I had Rachael drop me off at the Pedal Path and decided I would run front 13 of the Holcomb Valley Trail Run Race which is a great loop out in Holcomb and then hits the PCT. I was feeling pretty good so I made a trip up to Delmar peak and then hit Bertha peak and a few more miles of PCT and it was back home for the longest run of the month so far!

Run 29 - 4.8 miles, 503 ft, 10:00/mi

Not a bad view in the neighborhood

Feeling yesterdays enthusiasm on this one. It was hard to get moving so I figured a few laps over at Mt. Doble Track was in order. Ended up extending the "lap" to make it a bit longer with another hill! Was actually feeling pretty good by the end of the run which again goes to show what getting out for just 30 minutes or and hour can do for you!

Week 3

Run 16 - 8.8 miles, 1,130 ft, 10:03/mi

Picturesque Big Bear Lake

Over to the Woodland Trail for some laps and a bit of recon for our summer trail running series that we are developing in Big Bear. This is a great 1.5 mile loop that has a decent bit of climbing and some great views!

Run 17 - 13.3 miles, 1,384 ft, 8:10/mi

Bear Mountain on a warm winter day!

Hit the pavement to recon our 2014 Big Bear Lake Half Marathon route in what felt like summer conditions. The course is great and takes you right up past Bear Mountain where I was amused at how bundled up people were while I was running past in shorts and a tshirt. I'm glad the slopes are open but no need for a winter parka on a day like this!

Run 18 - 4.8 miles, 1,151 ft, 11:43/mi

This view means winter tomorrow!

Out with the dogs for a nice lap on our favorite trail while winter moves back in to Big Bear for a few days. Dogs got to chase an abundance of wildlife as we were out super early and surprised all the birds and rabbits. Nice and easy with the dogs!

Run 19 - 6.2 miles, 7:52/mi
 

Hoka One One's are taking a beating this month!

Full winter conditions rolled into town and by the time I got out for a run it was cold, wet, and sloppy. I was intending a quick 30 minute "minimum" run just to keep the streak going but by a couple minutes in I was having too much fun in the snow so I extended the loop and ran a nice 10k.

Run 20 - 14.9 miles, 1,970 ft, 9:37/mi

Gold Mountain and Holcomb Valley post snow

Big Bear after a winter storm is a pretty sweet place as it usually returns to your typical Southern California blue bird weather. This past storm was no different! I got out for a nice run up Gold Mountain and expected to hit the PCT but there was way too much snow and so it was down to Holcomb Valley rd where luckily some trucks had made tracks making the deep snow entirely runnable. It ended up being a really great run!

Run 21 - 16 miles, 1,885 ft, 9:39/mi

Big Bear Lake from Gold Mountain summit

I had so much fun yesterday on Gold Mountain that I had to take another trip to the top! Not to mention there is a considerable amount of snow elsewhere in the valley so this is really my only "dry" option. Took a right on the backside this time and dropped down to PCT and a lap around the dry lake. Another beautiful day in Big Bear!

Run 22 - 9.4 miles, 1,763 ft, 9:59/mi

Gold Mountain jeep trail

 Another trip up Gold Mountain via the jeep trail. This trail is pretty steep and extremely technical with a lot of talus including one pretty big talus field. Pretty much every time I am on this trail I see a few jeeps which is pretty cool. Looks like a lot of fun to take a jeep up this thing!

Week 2

Run 8 - 4.6 miles, 546 ft, 9:21/mi

Sunset at the Mt Doble Track

There is a nice little loop around the small outcropping of rocks near pioneer lane that I have been thinking about for a while and turned out to be a nice run. Laps are .7 miles and have 100 ft of elevation gain in the first half and then drops back down. It also includes a small rocky technical section with a few decent size rocks to run through which is fun.

Run 9 - 5.0 miles, 1,203 ft, 10:42/mi

Harper and Bob Digger at their favorite rock!

Another morning out with the dogs for our favorite hike. I've definitely been getting them out less frequently this month as I am increasing up my distance for the 50 miler I find it harder to get out in the mornings with the dogs as often. We have been good about getting a solid 5 in every time we have been out so that's been great. They'll be looking forward to my taper in January when we will get some more regular hikes in!

Run 10 - 8.2 miles, 1,262 ft, 8:51/mi

Best trail in the world? Perhaps.

I've been having a lot of fun running on the PCT around Gold Mountain lately. It is easy to access from the house and the trail is really nice, although pretty rocky, with a good bit of climbing. Had a great run around sunset and am really enjoying the 31 in 31 challenge.


Run 11 - 3.7 miles, 8:30/mi

Sunset in Big Bear City

Nice evening stroll around the neighborhood with a out and back into the meadow in the middle of the valley. This was probably my first forced run where I wasn't feeling it at first but due to the challenge I went for a short run. Ended up being a nice little run and a good reminder of what just 30 minutes will do for you!


Run 12 - 13 miles, 7:39/mi

Storm clearing over Gold Mountain

After a short run the day before I was itching to get out for some good miles. Then I got some extra motivation in the form of a reality check on my status as a competitive runner. So I felt the need to try to run fast. The result was a nice run around the dry lake at a pretty decent tempo. It was raining at the beginning, then snowing, then sideways sleeting, then the sun came out. Pretty sweet run and felt good to test out the leg speed!

Run 13 - 3.1 miles, 336 ft, 9:47/mi

The scenery at Mt Doble Track

An easy 5k to keep the streak going and the legs loose, which felt pretty stiff after yesterdays run. I went back over the the "Mt. Doble Track" and did a few laps. This was definitely a run I would not have made if I were not going for the 31 runs in 31 days thing. It felt great once I got going and ended up being a great recovery run.

Run 14 - 16 miles, 3,444 ft, 13:52/mi

Best view in Southern California, Gunsight.

Not sure what I was thinking on this one! I got the bright idea to run "The Canyon" out and back from Snow Valley for what I was hoping would be a tough but runnable day with lots of elevation. I was immediately in for a reality check when I got lost in the snow in the first mile before even hitting the trail head. The gate closure should have been a sign, as should the abundance of snow pretty much everywhere, but I did not realize how much snow would be on the other side of the canyon. The 7 mile climb up to bluff mesa was pretty much 6 inches of snow the whole way. This is a pretty sketchy trail in sections too, with large drops into Siberia Creek Canyon. I should have been in snowshoes, or at leas micro spikes, but instead I was wearing 2 year old Hoka's with no tread. Nice. When I hit the top there was no way I was going to drop back in so I ran down into town and got a ride back to my car. Not sure why I didn't think there would be a ton of snow?! Ended up being a great day in the mountains but not what I expected.

Run 15 -13.6 miles, 1,130 ft, 10:03/mi

View from Bertha Peak on a warm December day!

 Now I know what I was thinking yesterday. The north shore of Big Bear Lake is like summer, even though there is a good bit of snow on the south side. I tend to forget this sometimes as I live on the north side of the lake and tend to do most of my playing over here. I had Rachael drop me off at the alpine pedal path again and had a great run up to Bertha Peak and then back home on the PCT. Tons of fun!

Week 1 Recap

 After the 1st week of 31 runs in 31 days I feel pretty optimistic about the rest of the month and only slightly tired from a big week of running. Winter decided to move in during the week which led to a few cold and icy runs but not too much snow, and with nothing but sun in the 10 day forecast I'd say the trails will still be in great shape for a bit longer!

Stats for the 1st 7 runs - 56.4 total miles, with 8,576 ft of elevation gain, at an Avg pace of 10:00 per mile, with the longest run being 16.4 miles. Not a bad week!


Run 5 - 4.8mi, 1,145 ft 11:36/mi

San G normally in view...winter rolling in here!

Run 6 - 9.3mi, 1,541 ft 10:52/mi

Eric running on an icy Skyline Trail!

Run 7 - 16.4mi, 2,302 ft 10:15/mi

Running in the clouds on the PCT!

Run 4 - Marsh Loop

Run 4 - 5.8mi 7:48/mi

Got out for a nice run on the roads this morning to stretch out the legs after 3 days of running some hills. Felt really good and was perfect out for a run, cold and sunny! Looks like we might be getting some winter weather moving in over the next few days so I might as well get used to it!

Cold morning on the marsh!

Run 3 - Gold Mountain

Run 3 - 14.3mi, 2,221 ft, 9:15/mi

Got out for a really nice run today from the house to the summit of Gold Mountain and then back to the house for close to 15 miles with a lot of PCT fun. It was pretty windy out, especially on the summit but that kept things on the cool side which was nice because the sun was still feeling a bit warm. Maybe in the 50's out today which is pretty warm for this time of year! Overall great run. Looking forward to the next already!

View from Gold Mountain looking at San Gorgonio

31 Runs in 31 Days - Runs 1 and 2

Off Road Pursuits, a group for trail runner around Southern California, has started a Strava group challenge for the month of December. The idea is to run 31 runs in 31 days. Sounded pretty fun so I thought I would give it a shot. Runs have to be 30 minutes or longer and if you are unable to make a day you can do two in one day to make up for the missed one. This seemed like a good way to end the year and maybe help add a little extra motivation to get me ready for a 50 miler in February!

Run 1 - Ryan Mountain - 2.9mi, 1,084 ft, 11:16/mi

Ryan Mountain trail in Joshua Tree is a great run that I have been doing for the past few years when I am in the park. The trail goes up about 1000' in 1.5 miles of steep rocky terrain. It is basically like running up a long set of rock steps. The run down is a lot of fun but you really have to be careful as a misstep could be pretty nasty. I had been trad climbing all day so was pretty beat by the time the sun was setting but I couldn't miss the 1st day of 31 runs in 31 days so I managed a nice run to the summit just as the sun was setting. It was a beautiful run and a great start to the challenge!

Sun setting at the start of Ryan Mountain Run

Run 2 - Morning Run with the Dogs - 5.9mi, 1,247 ft, 10:35/mi

Back in Big Bear for Run #2 and back to the daily fun. Took the dogs for our usual romp through the woods but tacked on an extra mile on the PCT since I hadn't taken them out in almost a week. They were loving it and as usual it was a fun run with my two favorite partners!

Harper and Bob Digger loving the extra miles