Saturday, December 24, 2011

Thank you from Pete and Corrinne

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your families. What a  year full of excitement, changes, and blessings it has been. 

We have been truly blessed by each and every one of you this year. Thank you so much for running with us.  We are looking forward to a new chapter in 2012 with Road Runner Sports and EDGE Cyclesports in Laguna Hills. 



Monday, December 19, 2011

New Trail Running Series

Check out these local running events in our back yard.

Use Coupon Code
OCTT10OFF – 10% off any individual race

San Juan Hills Trail Run – February 19th, 2012
5K Run | 10K Run | 1K Kids Run
Event Description: The San Juan Hills Trail run takes place on the trails that traverse the beautiful rolling hills of above the City of San Juan Capistrano. The 5K and 10K runs feature easy-to-moderate trails with scenic views of coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Event time(s):
Saturday, February 18th, 2012 – Packet Pickup (check back soon!)
Sunday, February 19th, 2012 (Race Day) – Arrive 7:00AM, Race Starts 8:00AM, Kids Race at 9:15am
Event Located at: Click Here for Map
Click Here for Course Map
Pricing: 5K $40 | 10K $60 | Kids 1K $15
Register Here

San Juan Hills Trail Run


Caspers Wilderness Park Trail Run – March 25th, 2012
5K Run | 10K Run | 1K Kids Run
Event Description: This park offers 8,000 acres of protected preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Sana Ana Mountains. The 5K and 10K runs take place on the easy-to-moderate trails in this scenic park where runners can expect to see wildflowers in bloom and other wildlife. Our 1K Kids run is fun and easy! All courses are on well-groomed trails and aid stations will have water and sports hydration drinks.

Event time(s):
Saturday, March 24th, 2012 – Packet Pickup (check back soon!)
Sunday, Marchth, 2012 (Race Day) – Arrive 7:00AM, Race Starts at 8:00AM, Kids Race at 9:15am
Event Located at: Click Here for Map
Click Here for Course Map
Pricing: 5K $40 | 10K $60 | Kids 1K $15
Register Here

Caspers Wilderness Park Trail Run


Salt Creek Half Marathon – April 22nd, 2012
13.1 Mi. Run | 5K Run | 10K Run | 1K Kids Run
Event Description: Salt Creek Beach Park is a beautiful venue with a perfect blend of sandy beaches, large grass areas and recreational trails. All races use the Salt Creek Regional Corridor Trail; the trail is concrete and blacktop and even offers several stretches with softer terrain next to it.

The Half-Marathon is a two loop course; participants of the 10K will complete one loop while the 5K participants complete 1/2 of the first loop. The Kids 1K Run heads south on the utility road along the beach for .5K then returns to the finish line. This is a scenic course that will offer beginning and experienced runners a challenge! Runners can expect to see amazing canyon views and will look forward to the Pacific Ocean on the way back to the finish line. Aid stations are approximately 1 to 1.5 miles apart and will have water, sports hydration drinks and other healthy snacks.

Event time(s):
Saturday, April 21st, 2012 – Packet Pickup & Pre-Race Expo – details to be posted soon.
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 (Race Day) – Arrive 6:00AM, 5K – 7:00AM, 10K – 7:25AM, Kids 1K – 9:15AM
Event Located at: Click Here for Map
Click Here for Course Map
Pricing: Half-Marathon $99 | 10K $60 | 5K $40 | Kids 1K $15
Register Here

Salt Creek Half Marathon

Friday, December 16, 2011

Welcome new members!

Welcome all you OC Trail Tales members! What a great night we had last night at Road Runner and their special VIP event. We had a lot of fun! We want to thank all of you who came out in the snow, (which i conjured up for you guys):) We know the traffic was hellacious because of the weather, so thanks for dredging through that for us.

Thank you to Tom and Amy for our beautiful balloon display, they did an awesome job! You can visit their website http://www.signaturecelebrations.biz/index.htm for more fabulous things they do if you are planning a party. Thank you again, and Happy Birthday to the both of you!

I am really excited to start our new session January 9th, and cant wait to talk with everyone and begin the new year! Pete and I are really looking forward to that. I hope you are all excited as well. If you have not done so already, please go to our meetup page and sign up, its free, so you can see or calendar. I will try not to blast you every 5 seconds. :) http://www.meetup.com/OC-Trail-Tales/ It will give you a good idea of what and when we are doing things, to keep track of your schedule and the workouts/races.

If you would like to come out and swim on Tuesday, please rsvp on the meetup so we know who to look for, and who to put in what lanes. Please bring water, electrolytes, maybe something to eat for after, a towel, change of clothes, and bathing suits are required too, sorry. :) You may also need goggles, swim cap, etc...
For those of you running LA Marathon, you guys have 16 miles this weekend. :) Fun, fun! There is no long Trail run this weekend. :(

Happy Holidays!
Have a great weekend!



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas Party at Road Runner Sports Laguna Tmr Reminder


Getting ready to celebrate? It’s
only 24 hours until YOUR Exclusive Road Runner Sports VIP Christmas Party!! Woo-Hoo! Remember the fun starts at 6pm, so grab your family and help us celebrate the holidays!

- Wear your OC Trail Tales Shirt and Receive extra Raffle tickets from OC Trail Tales Booth.

 - Double Your VIP Discount to 20% - A Perfect Time to Shop for the Holidays
- Enjoy a Special VIP Christmas Gift
- Participate in Fun Contests and Raffles
- Celebrate with Holiday Snacks & Champagne
- Learn the Best Way to Manage Your Runs in the Cold Weather at 6:30pm

See you soon!

Event: Road Runner Sports VIP Exclusive Christmas Party Laguna...

Date: Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (PT)

Location:
Road Runner Sports Laguna Hills
24291 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills, CA 92505

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Xterra course update for sunday.

Great news for our group that have signed up for xterra on Sunday. The new course that we have been training on has been approved.
As a reminder we will be at the road runner sports VIP party next Thursday Dec 15th. Please RSVP

Monday, December 5, 2011

Your Invited

As we are bracing for the new year we would like to invite you to Road Runner Sports in Laguna Hills for a VIP Christmas Party Dec 15th from 6pm-8pm.

-Raffles and Prizes
-Up to 20% discount on your purchases if you are already a VIP member.
-Sign up for our new trail running program to kick off the new year @ $62.50 per class.

RSVP

Starting Jan 9th
-Mondays @6pm at Road Runner LH
-Wednesday @ 6pm at El Toro High School (Track Night)
-Saturday @7am at Hero's Park
-Sunday@ TBD Local Trail Run

12 Week Training Programs Offered by OC Trail Tales:

Off the Couch- Getting Started
-You are starting something entirely new
-You want to be more healthy and fit.
-Each time you go out for a run you encounter a new side of yourself.
-Your workout starts to become a special time for you.
-You want to loose a few pounds


Intermediate Runner Program- Keep on moving
-You can identify with those who are addicted to running
-You may be intimidated by the “high achievers” — competitors and marathoners
-You always have a “glow” at the end of the run
-You rarely have a have a plan or goal
-You have a healthy diversion and don’t feel the need to get anything more out of it.
-You are a bit more independent.
-You prefer company to running alone, but you’ll pick and choose your group with care.


Competitor Program-Racing is the main driving force.
-You start to plan your running around racing goals
-You are racing for times

Ultramarathon Trail Running Program-
- A Runner that enjoys a change in scenery
- Trail running events that start at 50km (31 Miles)









Also we have a Triathlon 101 program for Beginners that are just starting the Goal Race is Desert TRI in Palm Springs.

Training Benefits:

1. Improved performance

2. Provide a breath of fresh air in training routines

3. Bring peace of mind to the athlete

4. Educator

5. Time Management


Monday, November 21, 2011

A New Adventure for OC Trail Tales!



Pete and I have some very exciting news! We are excited to tell everyone that as of January 1st, we will have officially moved over to Road Runner Sports in Laguna Hills. We have been with Snails Pace for a long time, and as a lot of you know, trying to juggle our own jobs, coaching for Snails, and coaching for our own OC Trail Tales, and although we are sad to leave Snails, we open a brand new big door with Road Runner sponsoring OC Trail Tales and welcoming us in their house. Our partnership with Road Runner will include various in store events such as Travel nite, and T-Shirt Quilt just to name a few...

We will be offering the same schedule since we are so used to it, of Monday nights at 6pm at our new location of Road Runner Sports in Laguna Hills to run the bike path. Wednesday nights at 6pm at El Toro Track for track workouts, Saturdays at 8am at different locations tbd, and a new Sunday class at 8am on trails tbd for trail running and lots of fun!

We will have sessions you can join through out the year, but the best part is that if you come to Road Runner December 15th at 6pm and sign up and pay that evening, you will get any of our sessions for 50% off! That's right, a 12 week off the couch, 12 week 10k program, half Marathon, Marathon program or trail program for $62.50! You have to come that night, and you have to sign up. RSVP Here. We will also have raffles and a couple free sessions to give away. Road Runner is hosting a VIP night that night as well, and will be having 20% off in store purchases, and fun things as well.

We are both so excited to start this new adventure and focus on OC Trail Tales and you.

See you soon!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Sunday Run- at BellCanyon Trail



 Hi All- with the anticipation of the rain this weekend and potential trail closure at El Moro- we will move the trail run to Bell Canyon. Its a fairly simple out and back trail with easy rollers.
Sunday
Lets Meet at 8:00am
10 Miles Max
4-6 Miles Min
Directions (Simply park at the waterfalls)


View Dove Canyon-Waterfalls in a larger map

Monday, November 14, 2011

Malibu Marathon Results


Congratulations to our Malibu Half Marathon Finishers!
What a great weekend! I really had a great time with everyone, and hope you all had a good time too. I wish we could have spent a bit more time together, but maybe next time for LA Marathon! :)
It really could have been a rainy icky day, but instead it turned out to be the most beautiful day. While I was running the Half, I kept looking out to the ocean and thinking, "wow, could it be more perfect?"

Some of you reading this and not knowing think we only train for trails, which is not true. We love running, I do prefer trail, but love the road running too. Here are our students times...

Kristin Nagel 2:03:30
Ann Pearce 2:06:46
Donna Reed 2:07:07
Corrinne Wallace 2:10:15
Elizabeth Fleming 2:17:22
Kathy Barrie 2:25:14
Lauren Lucas 2:32:22
Connie Visconte 2:45:50
Ann McQuiston 2:45:50

I have to say you guys really did an amazing job, and for some of you, this was only your 2nd Half Marathon, and these are great times! Just think, you get faster, not slower, so your times will get better and better by a few minutes through the years. Good job on all your hard work! I think track night has really made you guys faster! :) I may have to start training at the track too if I want faster times!














For this weekend, weather dependent we will have another Xterra training on Sunday at 8am. Meet at Ridge Park. If it is raining, we will run in Coto De Caza. We meet at the waterfall and run in through there for lets say at least 10 miles. We will keep your miles up and resume at Ridepark the following week, if it is raining. For Saturday, you are welcome to come out and train with our Snails groups on the road at 7am if you are not a part of our Desert Tri group. We will be meeting at the Laguna Hills Community Center.
For our Desert Tri Group, and you know who you are, you guys will be having assessments Saturday and Sunday. I think a personal email will go out telling you time and place and what to bring and have with you. We will be swimming and biking depending on the weather of course as well. Swimming for sure no matter the rain.

Don't forget if you have not done so already, please sign up on our new Meetup Page at... http://www.meetup.com/OC-Trail-Tales/ we would love for you to be able to see our calendar at your convenience, and post comments and such on there as well.

Again, great job, and thank you guys for being the best students and friends ever!



Thursday, November 10, 2011

Great News!

A few things- we will be up in Malibu this weekend for the half marathon many of our runners will be racing. There will be no trail run this weekend. Please keep your calendar open for next weekend.




Other News our new sponsor Living Java Coffee has agreed to let us carry their awesome coffee. We will have coffee on hand when you come to any of our runs or you can order thru our website.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Weekend run for Sunday

AGAIN this weekend OC Trail Tales will be hosting a group run on Sunday at 8am at Coastal Peak Park. We will meet in the parking lot and start our run from there. I hope your all excited to be running this new course! (map link) *pending ranger approval- I believe the miles came out to be 10.25555 miles...









We are also hosting a short version 4 mile trail run for those that have been on the fence. Come on out we have alot of "New" news to share with everyone.

If you are training for this awesome race, please join us for a preview of the course, fun with friends and goodies after the run. Please be prepared, and bring water to carry (hydration packs and or handhelds best), nutrition, and dress appropriately for the weather. It is supposed to heat up again, so please wear layers. Please RSVP so we know who to look for and or wait for.

See you Sunday!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Desert Triathlon and Duathlon Training

March 3 and 4, 2012
 Sign up by Nov 3rd to get the early bird fee. We are offering a awesome training package.
You will automatically be entered in the drawing for a new Cannondale Triathlon bike!!!

 The Desert Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon and RelaySaturday March 3rd
7:30 a.m.

Triathlon: 500 meter swim -- 14 mile bike -- 3 mile run
Duathlon: 1 mile run -- 14 mile bike -- 3 mile run
The Desert International Distance
Triathlon and Relay

Sunday March 4th
7:30 a.m.

Triathlon: 3/4 mile swim -- 24 mile bike -- 6 mile run

Thursday, October 27, 2011

psst New Changed Course Preview For Xterra this Sunday.

Hi everyone!

This weekend OC Trail Tales will be hosting a group run on Sunday at 8am at Coastal Peak Park. We will meet in the parking lot and start our run from there. I hope your all excited to be running this new course! (map link) *pending ranger approval

If you are training for this awesome race, please join us for a preview of the course, fun with friends and goodies after the run. Please be prepared, and bring water to carry (hydration packs and or handhelds best), nutrition, and dress appropriately for the weather. It is supposed to heat up again, so please wear layers. Please RSVP so we know who to look for and or wait for.

See you Sunday!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Desert Tri March 3rd and 4th

Hi everyone! You are receiving this email because you have once expressed an interest in training for a Triathlon, and or we have talked about you doing Desert Tri. Desert Tri's registration goes up on October 31st, and the deal i have with him is to register my people before that for a discount. Your training will include this registration, but for the discount, i need to register my people now, so if i could get a headcount of everyone doing or not doing this training series, that would be great. Just send me a yes or no, and if at all possible if you do plan to do this training with us, if you could put down a deposit now so i can start getting registration, jerseys, goody bags,training books, etc...that would be awesome! We can split the payment up and i do take credit cards, but there is a 3% fee on top of the credit card that they charge me. Email me back for details, and also, we still need to do swim evaluations, and such this month and next. Desert Tri is March 3rd and 4th, 3rd is the Sprint and the 4th is the International which is what Sue and I are doing.

Also there is Relay Option for your consideration.

Regarding starting from scratch when it comes to the BIKE:
You want a bicycle that fits you and is in good working order. This can be a road bike, a mountain bike or a hybrid. You can use a TRI Bike if you have access to one but not necessary.


Thank you!
Corrinne

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Running Shoe Deal So Good It's Scary


Check out our Trail running partner at RoadRunner Sports for Free Shipping and $10 OFF!


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Getting back to trail running!





It seems like forever that i have seen anyone, and i know its only been like a week or so, but i am dying to get back out on the trails with you! First of all, congratulations to everyone on their Long Beach Marathon finish's! YAY! I am so proud of you. :) We had some experienced full marathoners and half marathoners, and we had brand new half marathoners! So congrats! I hope you are recovered from that hard road, and ready to hit the dirt this weekend!

Saturday we will meet at El Moro at 8am up at Ridgepark for a 4 to 9 miler or so. You have never done lizard, and it is a fun one, so lets have the longer mileage folks go out bommer to lizard down to the other ranger station and up willow back to bommer and the cars. The shorter mileage folks can go out bommer down lizard to the intersection and up willow back to bommer to the cars. Please remember to bring plenty of water and some nutrition for during the run. Hydrate the day before, and it is probably a good time to start wearing layers. It does get cold in parts of the canyon, and if you need to stop and wait for anyone, you could get chilled. :)

Sunday lets get a 20 miler in or so and meetup again in El Moro for a couple of fun loops. Lets do the 12 mile loop over to the ranger station at Nix center, and then decide on the next loop. :) I am thinking the 8 miler. Lets meet at 7am with plenty of water and nutrition. You can meet us for 1 or both loops, please come prepared. :)




Monday, October 17, 2011

OC Trail Tales- Triathlon Edition


What?
Over the past few months we have had a growing number of our trail runners express a interest in the sport of Triathlon. It is a amazing sport that has many benefits. To name a few Lose Weight, you will look and feel years younger, have more energy, improve your health, strengthen your weaknesses, inspirational benefits and social benefits.


So here is the deal.
We will be running concurrent training programs for Trail and Triathlons from Nov thru March. This will be a pilot program we will offer.

How much?
$425

What does this include?
Deep Race Discounts, Discounted OC Chili Race Entry, Training Shirt, Awesome Swag Bag 13 Week Training plan, Personalized coaching ,Bike Clinics, Swim Instruction. Weekly group rides and swimming.



Has offered our group a great price program- we also have several demo suits to try.

What is the Training Path?
Starting in Nov- Dec we will have various assessments on Swim, Bike, Run we will develop your personalized Goal.

Starting Jan 2012 we will execute and manage your plan, this will include OC Chili Run Series, Desert Triathlon.


What is the first step?
Fill out the race entry form.

Questions?
email us

Monday, October 3, 2011

Trails and more trails!


You guys have been busy busy running I hope! The last few weeks have been a bit crazy, and it does not seem to be letting up much at all with upcoming races for everyone! Last weekend we had a great new race called San Juan Capistrano Trail race, and Pete and I had our Snails class do this for their goal race.  Everyone did an outstanding job! Some Trail Tales were there as well to represent, great job Kimmy!  We had our booth, and saw lots of familiar faces, and Pete and I took home some hardware! Pete got 3rd place in his age group, and I got 2cd place in my age group and 3rd woman overall!  :) YAY! I am liking the smaller trail races! :)

Since the Snails group has ran their first trail race now, and we dont have class on Saturday for Snails, I have invited them to our Trails on Saturday morning in El Moro.  They can do a short easy loop (4 miles), and you veterans can do a nice 8 to 12 miles!

Sunday is Long Beach Marathon, so that is were we will be that morning.  No Trails class that morning, maybe Sunday afternoon or evening we can get together for a quick 10 or so.  :)

Dont forget to come out Mondays with us at the Community Center for some road, Wednesdays with us at El Toro track for a track workout, and pretty soon for swimming and biking to gear up for Desert Tri! We will start doing evaluations on a 1 on 1 basis to see where you are and what we need to do for you individually.  Email us to let us know your time availability for a swim session.  :) We have wetsuits provided Xterra for you for you to try on. We are looking forward to working with everyone.

Have a great week!




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Orangeman Triathlon

Hi everyone!

Pete and I would like to thank everyone that came out and took time out of their very busy schedules to help us this weekend at Orangeman Triathlon. We know that your time is very valuable, and coming down to help out at very early times in the morning, until late afternoon while you have other things and priorities means a lot to us, and we so appreciate it! Thank you Thank you! The athletes appreciate it as well, and it really would not be a good race without the help form everyone. You all did a fantastic job!

This weekend we have the race in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, so be there bright and early! Connie also has a race going on, called Relay for Life, so if you have time, please go on down to El Toro High School and support her and her efforts to raise funds for this fantastic cause. I believe it is for 2 days, both Saturday and Sunday, and they walk through the night?? (Connie, maybe you can respond and let everyone know) :)


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Our Race

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to post a couple of photos and say what a great time we all had going up to Noble Canyon and spending the day running there. Donna, Tom and I all finished and got some quality miles in! My feet are pretty messed up with blisters and bruised toes, i think i may loose half my toenails, but other than that, i feel good. Pete was a great support all day, and was able to get to most aid stations pretty easily. So If ever you want to do a race, this is a tough, but beautiful course. We can either get cabins, or camp, and would all have a fantastic time!




For this weekend, Saturday...You guys will meet at 8am and start from Ridgepark to do a 9 mile (ish) course. There will also be a shorter course option.

Sunday we will be at Orangeman, so no class! Hopefully most of you will be with us volunteering, and you can run with runners handing out water to get your miles in. :) HEE HEE!
Please wear your OC TRAIL Tales shirt for the Aid Station on Sunday if you are volunteering.





Have a great week!
C

Friday, September 16, 2011

Noble Canyon

Hi guys!

Just a reminder that this weekend we have Noble Canyon 50k, so we will not be having class Saturday or Sunday. Saturdays class is meeting at the community center in Laguna Hills to do a 12 mile run, of course those of you who dont need 12 miles, can always modify that.

Everyone is doing an awesome job, and i really like how the new class is coming along. I do miss seeing all the old students though, so dont be shy, come out and join us next weekend for some fun at El Moro on Saturday, you can show the newbies the full loop! :)

Next Sunday is Orangeman Triathlon, and we are really looking forward to getting our hands dirty, and learning how hard it is to put on a race. We are always looking for volunteers, so if you are so willing to give your time, you would be greatly appreciated, and you even get a free shirt! :) Let us know and we will mark you down. We need people from 8am to 5pm for the run course, so whatever time you can give would be greatly appreciated. We have a great OC Trail Tales site.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Crystal Cove Trail Run


Save the Date Dec 11th!

Join the OC Trail Tales Team at this Awesome Event. Start training with us on Saturdays at El Moro. Check out our Training Calendar.

The race features two distances - an introductory 5k trail run and a longer 17k trail run for the more experienced runner. This all takes place on fire roads and single track trails in the El Moro area of Crystal Cove State Park. Race field is limited, so enter early.

All participants get a great (seriously, it's not a plain white one) race t-shirt, cool finisher medal, hot breakfast/lunch with all the fixin's, coffee, entry into the raffle of swag, and the satisfaction of completing one of the best races around!

PDF Course Map
5k Map
5k Topo
5k Elevation Profile
17k Map
17k Topo
17k Elevation Profile


OC Trail Tails Discount: TrailTails$5

Download your Registration Form Here

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Look for Don Juan at San Juan Ridge 5K/10K Trail Run

Race Date Saturday Oct 1st

10K Ridge Run
The 10K run course consists of ever changing, challenging, hilly terrain. The overall elevations change is about 850 feet. The course consists of 5K out from Las Ramblas to a turn around above San Juan Hills High School and back to the starting point.

5K Ridge Run
This is a challenging out and back course that takes the runner out on the Patriot Trail to some wonderful views.

OC Trail Tales will have our Running Team at this Event. To Register for this event please use our Discount Form.
5k Entry Form
10k Entry Form

www.SanJuanTrailRun.org

New OC Trail Tales Session

Great job OC Trail Tales, on all your latest and greatest accomplishments, races, and prs! Everyone has really done great this season. I am so proud of you guys. :)

If you already didn't know, we just started our new fall session! We have a group that is doing 3 to 4 miles right now, and a group that's doing a nice loop around El Moro! Pretty soon, both groups will be able to go together!

The goal race for these groups is Xterra in December. It is a fun and awesome race, right here in our own backyard, and you all get the privilege of training there! What more could you ask for? We meet at 8 am Saturday mornings for trails at Ridgepark. You are more than welcome to come out and run streets with us as well on Monday nights at Laguna Hills Community Center, and Wednesday nights at El Toro High School Track for track night.

Once these groups have merged and want to go further, please feel free to come out on Sundays when we do our long runs. Right now we are gearing up for a few races! I need some help deciding on a 50 miler people...We have Avalon, Twin Peaks, Northface...Let us know which ones are your favorites! There are SO many to choose from! Of course we will be training again for my ultimate favorite, Leona Divide, but we still have time. :)

Happy Birthday to our own Connie Visconte! Connie, we love you, and we are so glad to have you as part of our Trail Tales Family. I don't know what we did before you came. Not only was Connie new on the trails, but she has becoming to be an expert, and she is gotten faster too! Great job!




Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Race Weekend Recap

Do we have some superstars in our group or what?! Pete and I are SO proud of all of you guys! Mt. Disappointment was a tough tough race! Guess what? Every single one of us FINISHED!

Let me just say that not everyone that started that race did finish, and 3 of our friends got airlifted, and or taken out by ambulance. I believe they are all recovered now and doing better, but it just goes to show that even experienced trail runners get the snot beat out of them, and it is very important to take the time to hydrate, eat, and take care of your needs. That is what all the training runs are for. Congratulations on a job very well done!

We started in the early morning meeting up at REI for carpool, and the nice drive up to Mt. Wilson. We made great time, and got to the race in enough time to get our race packages, get our stuff organized, eat and chit chat with friends. Before we knew it, we were off and running! It wasn't long before i didn't see Tom or Andrea anymore and we were headed down the first single track trail of ash all pluffing in our face and lungs. :) We all notice too all the purple poodle bush that was waiting to attack us and give us nice long lasting rashes/boils. I think so far we all avoided those purple poodle bush crack jobs pretty well, we will find out in a couple more weeks. (Ask me on a training run about those plants if you don't know what they are so we can make sure you avoid them.)

We got to the first aid station greeted by friends (Thanks Keira for putting on a great first aid for us!) and it wasn't long before Donna left Elizabeth and I. Well, we knew that was going to happen. :) Elizebeth and i spent the next 15 or so miles together, and saw Tom on our way. Everything was great. Talked and made some jokes, yelled at bugs that were trying to eat us, and take our water that we needed so desperately because it was scorching hot. Before we knew it we were climbing and climbing and climbing. We climbed a lot! Forever and ever we climbed in the hot hot sun and tried to stop in little bits of shade for breaks. Finally at mile 24 we knew we would see Pete and John (Elizabeths hubby), and we knew they would take care of us, and we needed it. We had soup and sandwich, redbull, re-slided, re-filled, and that is when Elizabeth and i parted. I probably should have waited for her because I was very lonely the rest of the race, and struggled through the hottest and most horrible part of the course. There was step sliding sand trails of ash, and so many river crossings i lost count, weaving back and forth from one side of the mountain and back, and then oh then the fun began of switchbacks from hell! Oh did I mention the waterfall we had to cross with just a loose chain to hold on too? Oh ya that was fun all by myself. :) The last 5 miles were the most difficult, but the best thing was even though i felt like crap and thought i was going to heave, everyone cheering for me at the end and as i looked up, I could see Donna, Andrea, Pete, John, and Marissa's face clapping and routing for me to finish. Thanks guys! Your the best!

When I tell you guys you did awesome, you really did, that race seemed harder than a 50 mile race, seriously. I do not think I will ever do that one again, but glad to get it done and off the bucket list. :) I will crew next time. Congrats you guys! Thanks for being the best students ever, and doing all the little nagging things we ask of you to do.

For this weekend, on Sunday, anyone who ran Mt. D is off and needs a vacation! Ma's orders! Please rest, take the time to catch up on something else restful or fun. Remember we have Noble Canyon coming up, and Andrea, you have Bulldog, rest! I don't want any injuries!

Saturday for the new group that is starting, you guys are meeting at El Moro at 8am, and there will be a 3 to 4 mile option and a 7 mile run. Coach Donna will be leading the way, as we have Snails Pace. We will however meet you back after your run, and I will give a little hydration pack clinic and what to keep in your pack for safety and your use.

Keep up all your hard work, it is paying off!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Hey OC Trail Tales Members! Register now great half-iron tri in your back yard! OC Tri Tales/A Snail's Pace members save $50 on your registration: OM1150OFF
Visit the Orangeman Triathlon website (www.orangemantriathlon.com) for all the details.
Orangeman Half-Distance Triathlon features an amazing venue & course where you'll swim in the beautiful ocean off Salt Creek Beach Park, bike on a closed bike course through the cities of Dana Point & San Juan Capistrano into the Cleveland National Forest. Ortega Highway will be closed in both directions for your racing enjoyment. Finish on the coast with a challenging run on the scenic Salt Creek Regional Trail. You won't want to miss this event!
Spots are limited so Register Now! If you can't race please consider being a Volunteer!

This new local event on September 25 is going to be fantastic! I know most of you are just runners, but if you ever thought of a Tri before volunteering is great to do first before jumping the gun so you know what your in for! Some of you may have signed up already, but if not and you were thinking about it, just wait, i will have a coupon code for you for $50 off! For those of you not swimming, biking, or running, perhaps you would be interested and willing to help volunteer. We have so many great members full of energy, knowledge, and athletic experience, it would be an asset for this event.

Pete and I are the Race Director Volunteer Coordinators for the Orangeman Triathlon. We are so excited to be planning the first Half distance Triathlon in Orange County and would like this to be a premier event. We will be needing Volunteers everywhere. If they live near Hell's Kitchen and would like to work the aid station at the turnaround that would be great. I would greatly appreciate any and all volunteer help. Please pass on my e-mail info for interested parties to contact us and we can add them to our roster. We will be contacting all volunteers as the race date gets near with their assignments. Thanks again for your interest and help in rounding up volunteers.

Thanks Guys!
C


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Nice Smile

OC Trail Tales had a amazing showing last week at the final Peters Canyon Race Series. The results showed. Some notable results include Kelli- her first race time was 52:25 and last week she finished with a 50:01 Awesome job!
Another rockstar is our very own Keri...
Keri is the one with the tongue out... its been almost one year since her first 5k in Santa Monica... she has blossomed into a fantastic runner. She is in the middle of training for her first half marathon in Oct, she has rededicated herself by eating healthy and has joined Crossfit to enhance her training. We can see Keri completing her first Marathon/Ultra marathon by next year. Her results from the first race: 1:06 and 3rd race 1:02. A four min faster time... Congrats Keri! Keep up the great work.
Other peeps that had a great race include- Tom, Julie, Becky, Apryll, Patty, Connie and Ann and Yuki, who had her very first trail race! Don't forget there is another great race you can sign up for "into the wild" on Wednesday August 17th! http://www.intothewildoctrailrun.com/ You must sign up online, they do not do same day registration because the park does not allow money exchange. We are coaching that night, but maybe we can scooch over there to see you finish. :) You all have worked so hard and have done such a great job this summer! You should really be proud of yourselves! I know we are very very proud of all of you! Most of you did not have any experience on trails at all, and now look at you! You are all trail runners. :)

If you would like to continue your training, and continue running trails with us, we will continue having our shorter runs on Saturday at 8am at el moro email us back for details. Our next target race is the 9 mile or 3 mile Xterra Race in Crystal Cove Dec 11th. This is a fantastic race, the race organizers produce a quality race, you will not be disappointed. Our next scheduled run is Aug 20th at El Moro the meeting location is located at Coastal Peak Park. Our longer runs have been on Sundays, and will continue to stay that way. We have been training for Mt. Disappoinment 50k, Noble Canyon 50k, Chimera 65 miles/100miles, Northface 50kor 50 miles, Avalon 50 miles, Rock n River 50 miles! On and on, and as you can see there is no shortage of miles going on. If you are interested in running with us on Sundays, please let us know so we can see what fits in, so we can accommodate everyone. Whether we do 1 10 mile loop or 2, and have you try out one of them. :) If you are ready to do a longer trail run and have the miles built up, come on out and try us out. We love the company. Thanks for being such great students! We have really enjoyed this summers session. I cant wait til next summer again! :)