L O V E + M E T A L Blog: run

Jun 20, 2013

Sundays have become my day to go out and hit the trail. I love waking up early, driving in the empty streets and arriving to a trail head for a run. I typically go solo and use it as a time to reflect, rejuvenate, problem solve, and get connected. Plunk me down in the outdoors and I'm a happy girl.

This past Sunday I ran one of my all time favorite trails, Pirate's Cove at Tennessee Valley. To access this trail, you have to get off 101 at Mill Valley/Highway 1 exit and take Tennessee Valley Road to the main parking lot. The main trail is paved part of the way, but then you lift up into the hills and the trail runs parallel to the ocean until you have an incredible view of Muir Beach. You also get panoramic views of San Francisco and Marin.

Here was my Route, a 6.84 mile loop with a 1624ft climb [map]

Start Tennessee Valley Trail Parking Lot
Take Tennessee Valley Trail to Coastal Trail
Continue on Coastal Trail/ Pirate's Cove
Enjoy the view or walk down to Muir Beach
Return on Coastal Fire Road to Coyote Ridge Trail
Take Miwok Trail down back to parking lot

Dogs are not allowed on the main Tennessee Valley Trail, so if you want to bring your pup I would do this trail backwards, start by going up Miwok trail and after looping back on Pirate's Cove, take Coastal Fire Road trail to Coyote Ridge back again.

Start here (unless you have your mutt with you)

See that trail going up the hill? That's where you're heading

Coastal Trail

Coastal Trail/ Pirate's Cove

View of Muir Beach

When you get to the Coastal Trail/ Coastal Fire Road junction above Muir Beach, you can take a sidestep to this little outlook spot. Not for the faint of heart, it feels nimble and steep.

Coyote Ridge Trail

L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

May 10, 2013

I love running. Ever since I was a kid it was something that made me feel freer, stronger, happier. A few years ago I found a super fun group to run with, Pacific Coast Trail Runs. They host monthly races ranging from 9k to 100 mile ultra-marathons. My sweet spot is in the 5-15 mile range, and I love having a group to go run with. They are "serious fun", a friendly but competitive group of people who love running in the beautiful open spaces of coastal California.

This past weekend I ran a 17k in Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville. The park was only recently opened to the public and this was the first race in its history. The trail was gorgeous, starting in the misty redwoods and climbing into the dry high grasslands.

I wasn't planning on taking any photos during the race, but the 2 mile second climb was brutal and unrelenting. All the dudes I was running with started walking, and then passing me as I was sluggishly "running" uphill, at which point I decided that I too would walk up the rest of the hill. Here I am trailing them as we all huff and puff at about 6 or 7 miles into the race.

The results of the race: I came in 1st place female in my age group, 4th place female, and 14th place overall. It was a tough run, and it has me totally inspired to run the next race on June 2nd at Mt. Diablo.

Funny enough, my good friend Eva Kolenko has just taken a family get-away to Guerneville and posted all about her trip on her blog, so after the race I parked on a side street near downtown and meandered through town to The Big Bottom Cafe where I thoroughly enjoyed a big lunch on her recommedation. I love Guerneville, it has the same sort of sidewalk-less streets, strange residents, and interesting artifacts as my hometown, Forest Knolls. Here are some of my favorite sights in town....