Well, I finally put my big girl panties on and joined the boy's club (Scott and Jun) for a run up Lake Mountain. I had to bring a posse with me, so I didn't feel so out of place. Kelli, Scott (her husband) and Chad and I all carpooled down to Saratoga to meet Scott W and Jun and their friend (Nate?) for the adventure. Now, I'd like to say I got some trail running in on the way UP, but that would be a lie :) Okay, so maybe the first mile or so, but dang it! It gets steep and with my long legs it just got to the point where a long walking stride was easier and faster than a short running stride. I loved it when Jun (who was the sucker that got stuck with me at the back of the crowd) said "I can't keep up with your power walk!" and went into a slow jog. Bonus. I love long legs :) My heart was beating out of my chest and I was working hard, so the fact that I wasn't exactly running wasn't an issue for me! As we neared the last switchbacks I could see we were near the top and my jubilation couldn't be contained any longer! I started yelling wonderful things as I made my way up the last little dirt trail to the radio towers. How enthralling it was to get such an awesome view for the morning effort! I felt like I was queen of the world...once my HR came down. I was the last one up, but made it in 1:07:40...which I was told was a pretty decent, respectable time. Still the last one up, but at least it didn't take me 2 hours! The way down was crazy business! I didn't realize how absolutely steep it was until I went down. Waaaay too steep to run, I felt like I was going to fall on my face just trying to walk down. Kelli and I stuck together on the way down and took it easy so that we didn't die...yes, we were the princesses of the group. After a mile or so the trail finally gets runable. It was here Scott and Jun and Kelli's hubby Scott met up with us and we all had a great chat and easy run down. It was still pretty darn steep and I knew my quads wouldn't be happy afterward, but compared to the top it was at least runable! Finally, the last mile on the approach road came. Perfect downhill running! Just enough to give you the advantage, but not enough to kill you :) I just plugged in and let it fly! Finished the round trip in 1:48:00 - again, a respectable time from what I understand. At least I didn't collapse and die. That was my only goal! Well, as I went to get my key out of my pocket I'd realized it wasn't there. Crap. I'd gotten a phone call about 1+ mile from the bottom, but when I saw it wasn't important I just threw my phone back in my pocket and zipped it up. I thought I'd felt my key in there when I'd zipped it up, but I was wrong...crap. I knew exactly where the key would've fallen out, but I really didn't want to run/hike back up and down. Dumb. I knew I should've just stopped and made sure the key was in there!! Well, luckily, the road was good enough for Scott W's CRV to drive on and sure enough...when we got to the point I knew I'd taken the phone out, there was the key, in the middle of the road just waiting for me! Tender Mercies. Thanks to Scott for driving me up there...my legs might not have made it and $200 for a new key wouldn't have happened! Well, it was definitely an adventure! One I'd like to repeat very soon (except the lost key part). I love trail running and this was a well maintained, flat dirt road (not super technical). The vert was hard enough, I didn't need to add the technical stuff right away. I now know what 2800ft of climbing over 4 miles is like, and in a sadistic way...I love it! :)
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