Tamarathoner

Your path, your pace

  • About Me
  • Running
    • Ultrarunning
    • Trail Adventures
    • Running Essentials
    • Marathon Training
    • Strength Training
    • Nutrition
  • Running with Students
  • Race Recaps
  • Recipes
  • Product Reviews
  • Health & Fitness
  • Cycling Adventures
    • Tour de Coffee
  • Affiliations
    • Brands
    • Races
    • Charities
    • Influencers/Movements
  • Press
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Trail Adventures / Ray Miller Training: Last Long Run (Westridge, Sullivan Canyon, Rustic Canyon

Ray Miller Training: Last Long Run (Westridge, Sullivan Canyon, Rustic Canyon

October 19, 2015 by Tam 1 Comment

wpid-received_10153646453839501.jpeg

My Coyote friends and I ran our last long run for Ray Miller on October 18, 2015. We decided to stay closer to home. Consuela mapped out a route for us from Westridge to Mulholland to Sullivan with a detour through Rustic Canyon and then back to Sullivan to Westridge.

wpid-20151018_062412.jpg

Since we had to get in 5 hours (which for me means 5.5 hours as I’ve been doing 30 minutes more than whatever the schedule says), we started early. It was dark when we started.

wpid-20151018_071605.jpg

It was also misty and a little drizzly.

wpid-20151018_073148.jpg

We ran to the Nike Tower.

wpid-20151018_072527.jpg

Hooray, restrooms!

wpid-20151018_072501.jpg

Need to make a phone call?! ๐Ÿ™‚

wpid-20151018_072911.jpg

We stopped for a nutrition break, too. We have really been working on getting in all of our calories during training and practicing with eating the food that we’ll have on race day. We’ve all been into the Bacon Epic Bar! So good!

wpid-20151018_073031.jpg

Cheers to our trail food!

wpid-20151018_075155.jpg

The views were still amazingly gorgeous, even in the mist.

wpid-20151018_075223.jpg

I cracked up when Consuela said it’s like a scene from “Gorillas in the Mist.” I said, “Hey, stop dating us!” (That’s Consuela, in the pink, making a face at me!)

wpid-20151018_080051.jpg

I had to admit that I knew what she meant by the “Gorillas in the Mist” reference. Damnit.

wpid-20151018_083238.jpg

We ran from over there! I love looking at the other side of the mountain to see how far we’ve come.

wpid-20151018_084115.jpg

wpid-20151018_084134.jpg

wpid-fb_img_1446386681199.jpg

Before heading down Sullivan Ridge, we took a little detour to check out sights we hadn’t seen. This was part of Rustic Canyon. The area was said to be built by Nazi sympathizers.

wpid-received_10205069140556784.jpeg

wpid-received_10153646453894501.jpeg

We took the Rustic Stairs to check out the ruins of the Nazi sympathizer compound. Really cool.

wpid-fb_img_1445227402782.jpg

wpid-20150815_084145.jpg

wpid-20150815_083857.jpg

The inside of the house.

wpid-20150815_083957.jpg

wpid-20150815_084013.jpg

A cell, inside the house!

wpid-20150815_084632.jpg

wpid-20150815_084731.jpg

wpid-20150815_084745.jpg

wpid-20150815_085232.jpg

We explored around the house.

wpid-20150815_084239.jpg

We took more stairs and explored some more!

wpid-20150815_084535.jpg

wpid-received_10205069139996770.jpeg

Up and over!

wpid-20150815_084408.jpg

wpid-20150815_084423.jpg

wpid-20150815_084500.jpg

It was eerily cool. I want to find out more about this place.

wpid-20150815_085341.jpg

This barn was at the end of our trail.

wpid-20150815_085530.jpg

wpid-20150815_085612.jpg

We headed back and I had a snack on the way. I’m loving Trail Butter!

wpid-20150815_085909.jpg

wpid-20150815_085919.jpg

Pretty sights on the trail!

wpid-20150815_091905.jpg

We headed back to Sullivan Ridge. I used to be so scared at this point but I’m not anymore! It’s not like I’m flying down the ridge but I’m definitely not stalled or stuck on it like I was the first time.

wpid-20150815_093233.jpg

We ran Sullivan Canyon where there’s a false incline. It doesn’t seem like you’re going up but you are. I felt really good on this run. I felt so strong the whole time and wasn’t struggling to keep up.

wpid-20150815_093246-1.jpg

Photo by Laura M.

wpid-20150815_101353-1.jpg

We saw a guy on a unicycle!

wpid-20150815_102522.jpg

Laura pushed me on the way back and wouldn’t let me walk. Sigh. But I felt great. She made me climb to the top!

wpid-20150815_103321.jpg

We headed back to Mulholland.

wpid-20150815_104140.jpg

Our view at the top of Mulholland.

wpid-20150815_105317.jpg

We ran back to the Nike Tower. Laura and I got there with time to spare so we explored the tower.

wpid-20150815_105747.jpg

We learned it was used as a Nike missile defense site during the Cold War to detect and intersect Russian missiles directed at Los Angeles.

wpid-20150815_105809.jpg

We climbed to the top to check out the view.

wpid-20150815_110104.jpg

wpid-20150815_105922.jpg

wpid-20150815_105928.jpg

We saw our friends coming!

wpid-received_10153646454189501.jpeg

They got a photo of us at the top of the tower!

wpid-20150815_110326.jpg

The park ranger was ready for Halloween! From this point, Laura and I ran to the finish. I tried to keep up with Laura but couldn’t. I did feel great though. Nothing hurt. I felt strong. I felt confident. I felt ready. I hope I can feel like this on race day. My friends were so proud of how well I did and I was so happy to make them proud of me!

wpid-20151018_084253.jpg

We’ve been on this long journey together, to conquer our first 50k. I’m going to keep this run close to me on race day when I’m feeling tired and worn out. I’ll say, “Remember that 20 mile run. Remember how strong you felt that day! Remember how much fun it was!” This run was the farthest and longest I’d run on trails and I was so proud that I could do it! It was a special run because of the cool route we took and because we were together. Running friends really are the best and I’m so lucky to have these guys stick with me. Thank you, friends. You mean so much to me. ๐Ÿ™‚

wpid-20150815_084106.jpg

Your path, your pace, Tam

Filed Under: Trail Adventures Tagged With: ray miller, run, runner, trail runner, trail running, ultra runner, ultra running, ultra training

« Long Beach Half Marathon: Post-Race Fun
Race Recap Part 2: Rock ‘n’ Roll LA Half 2015 »

Trackbacks

  1. Hemp Hearts Recipe & Giveaway says:
    November 23, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    […] I didn’t try them until the next day. I thought they would be perfect after my running group’s longest trail run before our big race. (Read about my longest trail run here!) […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

TamTeacher. Runner. Crafter.
I love to run. I may not be the fastest but I can go the distance. I strive to think strong, be strong and run strong. My path, my pace.
Read Moreโ€ฆ

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

JetBlue Long Beach Marathon
Global Energy Race Ambassador
New title for a=>html, img=>alt
www.momentumjewelry.com
Action Wipes
Balega
INKnBURN
PaleoValley
FatCoffee
Manitoba Harvest
BIC Bands ambassador

BIC Bands discount

BIC Bands stands for Because I Can Bands! BIC Bands is a great small company that gives back to charities. BIC Bands raises funds because we can, for those who can't. BIC Bands has great headbands that don't slip and trucker hats to keep you protected. Use code TamBIC to save 10%!
New title for a=>html, img=>alt

Renegade Race Rep.!

Use code TAMDISCOUNT for a 10% discount on any race!
Sweat Pink
New title for a=>html, img=>alt

GoMacro MacroBars Product Review & Giveaway!

July 19, 2017 By Tam 9 Comments

Disclaimer: I was given a sample tray of GoMacro’s MacroBars. As always, all opinions are my own. I was excited when GoMacro reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try their MacroBars. I had seen GoMacro bars in the store but hadn’t tried them. I am always on the lookout for good…

Read More »

Archives

  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (2)
  • April 2017 (2)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (5)
  • January 2017 (2)
  • December 2016 (4)
  • November 2016 (6)
  • October 2016 (6)
  • September 2016 (4)
  • August 2016 (6)
  • July 2016 (13)
  • June 2016 (12)
  • May 2016 (5)
  • April 2016 (10)
  • March 2016 (9)
  • February 2016 (7)
  • January 2016 (13)
  • December 2015 (16)
  • November 2015 (17)
  • October 2015 (13)
  • September 2015 (12)
  • August 2015 (4)

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Follow

Copyright © 2018 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress