This past weekend I was glad to be home but three birthday celebrations, one of them mine, left me struggling through the 46-miles I managed to log in the weekend. A year older but not any wiser! Sunday was the best though because I spent it on Mt. Tam. Two more races left on the schedule and both utilize trails in the area - Quad Dipsea and the Northface 50-mile. I was mostly on the Dipsea Trail but took in some of the other trails in the area as well; Steep Ravine, Alpine and Bootjack. I was mainly just going back and forth between the seaside town of Stinson Beach and Mill Valley. I love it out there, so green and lush and the trails rough.
Truth be told my body is tired and I am looking forward to the extended rest I have planned after the last race. It has been a good year and I feel it. All the volunteering, crewing and pacing was a good break. Not too tired to enjoy a good run though albeit slower. I've been putting in the miles just not as much as I did during the Spring and Summer. I think I still have enough to finish the year gracefully and injury free. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Old Mill Park in Mill Valley, California. Home of the Quad Dipsea.
You warm up quick on the first half mile.
The last set of stairs on the Mill Valley side of the Dipsea Trail features bronze inscriptions set in the steps. Every time I run it I find a name or an inscription I haven't read before. Fitting that I would find John Medinger and the Quad Dipsea in the steps this day since I was training for the race.
On the Dipsea Trail
A sight that never gets old, Stinson Beach in the distance.
On the Steep Ravine trail.
On Bootjack Trail,
Setting sun on the Dipsea Trail.
Well wishes for the legs and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely way to spend a birthday weekend! I'm glad you had such a wonderful time on Mt. Tam, though, in my experience, it's very hard not to have an amazing experience there!
ReplyDeleteHappy BD Rick! Nice pics as usual, nice shirt design for the JJ (prev post), and excellent post on the SF1D. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you in Dec at one of the PCTR events, Ann
ReplyDeleteSetting sun on the Dipsea Trail.
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Run into the light Rick, Run into the light :-) OK wait not yet my friend, you still have many more trails to tackle first.
Happy B - Day !! and YES I agree you have a had great year so far, close it out strong and injury free.
Happy B-Day and see you in a few weeks. Can't wait to get destroyed by the Dipsea trail and oh yeah for fun measure threw my name on the North Face 50 miler wait list.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! Seeing those ferns and the lush green makes it look quite exotic and tropical! Great photos, Rick. That looks like an incredible spot to run.
ReplyDeleteHope your multiple birthday celebrations were good as well!
Happy Birthday! Beautiful trails. Here's to closing out the year with two more great races and then some well deserved rest. : )
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, bro. Close out the year in style! I'll probably see you if I volunteer at Quad.
ReplyDeleteThat Steep Ravine Trail looks like MY kind of trail. So beautiful! ;)
ReplyDeleteCool photos - I haven't seen the steps since they were renovated (has it been that long?) Apparently they didn't make them any less steep though, huh?
ReplyDeleteHappy b-day, and good luck at the Quad and at North Face.
Happy Birthday. Some gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday man. And 'wow' is the only word that comes to mind for those shots.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff Rick. I'll miss you next week but I know you have a string and beautiful day out there on the Dipsea trail.
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