A Spur of the Moment Run up Boney Mountain

Today my plans were pretty simple...to do a long run of at least 2 hours, 15 minutes. Over the last 6 weeks, I did 5 long runs of 14 miles, 13 miles, 14.5 miles, 15 miles, a 5K break and then last Saturday's 2 hour, 9 minute 17.5 mile run. So figured anything over 2:15 would be good. My general plan was to run the same loop as last week, finding an extra mile or so towards the end.

But this morning I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and decided to do something different. We've had this amazing cloud cover in the mornings most of the summer and I heard the heat was coming back next week. So how about mixing it up a bit with a run up Boney Mountain.

I haven't run to the top of Boney for at least 10 years. I made it to the top, or at least very close to it. There's a little red can at the top you sign your name on, and I couldn't find it. I'm sure one of my more knowledgeable trail runner friends will tell me where I went wrong.

It took me about an hour to get there, running as much as I can. Once you get past the Danielson Monument, the trail becomes really narrow, sometimes extremely rocky and steep. There are many sections that pretty much HAVE to be hiked rather than run, unless you're a billy goat. The view is spectacular of course. Some pics and video are below. I saw about 10 people up there, all hiking and enjoying the beautiful day.

So I achieved my overall time goal of 2 hours, 15 minutes. I added some mileage on the roads after my quick descent down Boney. All told I'm going to credit my account 17 miles for today's run.

Made a quick pit stop at the Satwiwa Center.

Boney Mountain sign near Satwiwa Center

Sign after cresting ridge that tells you go right for Boney/Danielson and left for HIdden Valley overlook trail

They call it Danielson Road but it sure don't look like a "road" to me!

NPS Boney Wilderness sign at bottom of Canyon.

On way up to Danielson...sunny above, cloudy below

Danielson Monument is a good place to grab a snack. I didn't...just kept running.

The remains of Danielson's cabin...this chimney.

The trail to Boney Peak is up this way. At this point, the trails are often narrow, steep, rocky and slippery. Be careful!

Clouds over Newbury Park

Near the top of Boney Peak.

 Pretty much at the top of the world at this point.Time to head back down...

Cool Summer = Great Long Run Training

It is rare when I have a long run where I feel "perfectly fine" afterwards...not too tired, worn down by the sun, dehydrated, starving, etc. Today was one of those rare days!

Thank you extraordinarily cool summer temperatures here on the west coast this year! According to a Wall Street Journal online article today, Los Angeles area temperatures in July were nearly 5 degrees lower than historical norms. It has been extremely noticeable around here and I LOVE IT!!

Today was an exceptional day for a long run. I awoke without alarm at 6:20 a.m. and was out of the house by 6:35 a.m.  It has been awhile since I described my pre-long run procedures, which goes something like this: eat something very light, band aids on the nips, petroleum jelly on the toes, heels and underside of the feet prior to placing socks on, as well as some where inner thighs meet the running shorts and where shirt meets skin near armpits (chafing is the silent enemy of long runs...it'll ruin your run if you don't prepare for it).

Love my handy 4 bottle waist pack. Available at most running stores. Carry up to 4 different liquids if you want!Lightweight shirt on. Watch and shoes on (double-knotted of course). Cap on with some 4-5 tissues folded up underneath just in case needed for whatever reason. Light sunscreen on just in case the sun makes an appearance. Then grab water fluid belt and place 4 bottles of liquid (3 Gatorade, 1 water) in belt, which also holds 3 gel packets. Place belt on. Grab sunglasses (didn't use them...they sat on top of my hat the whole run). And I was off.

One planned pit stop 15 minutes into the run and otherwise I was non-stop today. Ran a loop course around Newbury Park. For whatever reason, I prefer one giant loop course over an "out and back" course and I haven't figured out why.

My goal today was to run at least 2 hours, given my previous long run 2 weeks ago was 1:54.  I ran 2:09. Tonight I mapped out my run using www.mapmyrun.com, and discovered I ran a solid 17.5 miles, which equates to about a 7:22 pace. Training seems to be paying off!

The only thing bothering me tonight is my somewhat chronically sore left big toe. Better go ice it...