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!