Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Trail Running in the Marin Headlands: A Fastpacking Adventure from San Francisco to Point Reyes - Part 5

I really wanted to run the entire distance back to the Marin Headlands, so this time I got up early. My pack was feeling quite a bit lighter, I had eaten most of my food and I think I was getting used to the weight! When I headed out of the door of the Point Reyes Hostel, it was 7:30 in the morning and there was frost on the ground. I love this photo of me looking oh-so-sleepy-but-excited, ready to begin my last big day!

The temperature was perfect for this Banff girl, but anyone who was awake were complaining about how cold it was outside (snicker). I wanted to run the singletrack back to the Randall Trail and pick up where I got the lift. I took a beautiful route through the interior of Point Reyes, a combination of Fire Lane with a quick blast to the top of Mount Wittenburg. I didn't take long for me to warm up and the frost to disappear and I had once last peek at the Point Reyes Shoreline, before heading over to the Visitor Centre. From there, the Rift Zone Trail and the Olema Valley Trail took me back to the Randall Trailhead. These trails were a pleasant surprise of rolling green trails, moss covered logs and even took me through some agricultural land. I had to run through a cow pasture full of babies cows and some of them ran with me. Their moms were getting cranky and one even took a run at me. Bitch. It took me almost 4 hours to get back to Randall. I cranked it up the Randall Hill, flew across Bolinas Ridge and charged the Coastal Trail back to Pantoll. I felt like a Rockstar!


......Note from Keith....

We interrupt this post to let you all know how funny it is to watch Leslie running around in a frenzy trying to prepare for Australia (leaving in 3 hours)...and complete this post, and basically remain calm and collected. It's really 'tornado like'...and I'm going to go hide and stay out of the way!!

What's this?! It looks like I've been hijacked! Continuing the story, yet another glorious day and such a sweet run. I worked hard at keeping focused and moving on this day and finished, elated, ten and a half hours later. I think it was around 37 Miles of super fun trail goodness. I loved it every moment of it.
Elated!

Comedy.

The finish line.

The next morning, I took my time and strolled my way back to San Francisco. No running this time! Surprisingly, my legs felt great but my brain was a little fuzzy with all of the noise and smells of the city. I went straight to my favorite restaurant Pacific Catch and ordered me up some fish tacos, smelly clothes, pack and all. I told the waitress, "You have know idea how happy I am to be here right now!" and I was. I completed the journey by walking all the way to my hostel downtown, where I went for yet another feed at a Vietnamese place and collapsed into bed. Happy, content, satisfied. My self-propelled adventure was one of my best holidays ever. I flew home early the next morning and slept the whole way.

Hope you've enjoyed this adventure, but now I am off on another one! If any one is interested, all of my photos of this trip are here.

Gotta' go to OZ, another airport shuttle, so bye-bye!


Also, good wishes to my friends Bryon and Meghan as they embark on their own self propelled adventure at Marathon des Sables this week! Have a fun adventure friends!!

17 comments:

CoyoteGirl said...

I'm so jealous! I wish I could just pick up and go like that.

Thanks for sharing...the pictures were great.

Backofpack said...

I won't even say "have fun" in Australia, because that is just what you do. Everyday, everywhere!

Dave - Atlanta Trails said...

thank you for sharing this whole experience with us!

Danni said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JeffO said...

One of the best series of posts on the web!
Those big, lush clumps of dark green grass do look luxurious. I could lay out there under the sun all day - or until one of those birds poops on on me.

Have fun in Australia, Leslie and Leslie's-Keith!

Deb said...

Wow, what an awesome time you had...I need to be more spontaneous like that!! Have a great time in Australia...looking forward to your posts and pics!

Danni said...

I'm really jealous that you're heading to Australia. Have a great trip!!!

kristen said...

I think I want to be you when I grow up...

Deanna Stoppler said...

Very cool photos! I love your self-portraits. You are a good looking gal. Tell Keith we didn't have a ton of snow this year so the spring skiing isn't awesome like in Banff.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Have a safe journey to OZ.

Charisa said...

Love the pics - beautiful - enjoy your trip!

Leslie said...

Hi y'all and greetings from OZ! Norma finished her race, a good time is being had and the Australia high country is pretty frickin' amazing.

And yes, fun is being had!

Andy B. said...

I really enjoyed reading about your running adventure in Marin/Pt. Reyes. What a cool trip. Thanks for sharing it! :-)

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