Back to the top! And a great escape from the current turmoil...

Oh no, not back to the top of my form/shape yet, that would be a big claim and certainly not reflecting the long period of questioning and doubt that it has been since March 6's TIA then again since September 18's sesamoiditis and a few other side effects...

No, just a short update to share the delight of getting back on the trails and to the top... of Black Mountain. 28 miles today, just under 4 hours (not counting several stops to refill my bottles or take pictures). Last time I ran on a trail was on September 10 when glowsticking the PCTR Headlands Hundred course. 8 weeks of trail deprivation...

When I look at the map on Strava, I see a great escape from the the turmoil of the city and valley, in the midst of this agitated, frustrating and confusing election time, in our wonderful nearby green hills. We certainly DO NOT need artificial hills at Vallco! Nature is so resourcing, let's enjoy it while it lasts, and vote toward sensitive growth everywhere we can through choosing our elected leaders, selecting the right measures on the ballot and our daily actions...

With that, it makes 100.7 miles since I resumed running 9 days ago. Including this good session to prep for Quad Dipsea in less than 3 weeks now (not to forget the Turkey Trot 10K 2 days before). The sesamoids seem to behave, but I now feel a pain higher up the 2nd metatarsal articulation, go figure... If it's any indication, I think I'm either finally aging, rusting or relearning the pain it takes to run that much.

Nonetheless, it was a great day to run again, seeing bikers and hikers at the top of Black Mountain, enjoying the warm Fall we have so far and just a bit of drizzling on the way back. We may not have much of seasons, but that still looks like Fall to me, doesn't it?

These shots were taken on the Waterwheel trail which runs between the top of Montebello Road toward the summit of Black Mountain. One of my favorite trails around!

As for this rather cloudy, foggy and aerial one, guess what is the large white/gray structure at the center of the picture? Apple's coming space ship, whose structure is finally completed. This is really big... the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story movie will soon be upon us...