Black Mountain 50K: cry me many rivers!

If only we could find a way to channel all the atmospheric rivers California has received these past 3 months, underground, into the aquifer/phreatic zone which we depleted with our intensive agriculture! Meanwhile, we can go with and enjoy the flow, but even such a prolific El Niño isn't going to get us out of a sustained and systemic drought.

That pessimistic caveat being made, what an exceptional situation we have on and around Black Mountain! And since a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth at least one million! See this Relive.cc flyover of my 31-mile training journey around and to the top of Black Mountain this Saturday (short of being able to get to the start of the Knickerbocker 35K race in Auburn after blowing up a tire on 680 on the way). Click on the image below or this link:

I had initially planned on running up Montebello Road but changed my mind at the bottom of Stevens Creek Park, and that made it much more interesting. And challenging as well as I made a detour up to Coyote Ridge first, then on Mount Eden Trail before running the whole Stevens Creek Canyon (the road section first, then the trail, up to Bella Vista Trail). So many creeks flowing from both sides of the canyon and giving Stevens Creek such an unusual and rarely seen power. No wonder why the Stevens Creek Reservoir is now full again. So uplifting to see this! Elijah Stephens would be glad and proud (see the history of the Stevens Creek including the various names it went through since 1776).

With another storm last week though, we lost more trees, and not just dead ones, but younger and healthy ones. See for instance that one at the Waterwheel spring. Less shade this Summer...

If you live in the Bay and have the opportunity, take a run or hike up in the nearby hills to see what fresh water looks like. Such a common thing to see in the Alps, with the glaciers melting faster in particular, but not here. And not in many places around the world as the international community just discussed in New York at the UN Water Conference, the first in 50 years! Let's enjoy as it lasts as we say and protect this essential asset in our lives. I have to admit again: I much prefer fresh water to a glass of beer. I know, it may be just me...

That was my 8th ultra this year, including 3 ultra races. Not a fast one at 9:10 min/mile average, not counting picture stops, but a great training with 4,400-4,600 feet of cumulative elevation and a few steep hills. After 3 months focusing on road training and racing, it was about time I get back to the trails, albeit wet ones, to prepare for the Spring season and Quicksilver 100K in particular. Way different running, a much more engaging one for the glutes and quads.

A taste of Pura Vida at the top of Black Mountain, with views of the Pacific:

Zooming on San Francisco by a clear day:

Mt Umunum in the distance: