Memorial Training Weekend trilogy: part 1, saving Private Waterwheel

Most of the people familiar with the legendary 100-mile Western States Endurance Run would have heard about the Memorial Training tradition which has been running for several decades. For me, my first edition was a few weeks before my first Western States run in 2007. I was so excited that, on the first day, I ran from Robinson Flat to Forest Hill, per the group plan, but continued on down to the river in Rucky Chucky, for 47 miles in one go. And a good lesson, a good bonk and late return to Forest Hill... After that, I stuck with the plan for day 2 and 3, totaling 88 miles for the weekend (that was my first year blogging). 

After that, I made a tradition to run very long that 3-day weekend, albeit without the travel and logistics of driving and staying at Forest Hill. Thus saving more time to work on my first job...

• 2008 was crazy with 126 super hilly miles (Quicksilver 50-mile course, Ohlone and PG&E repeats at Rancho San Antonio), even practicing getting paced by Max in preparation to my second Western States run, only for that edition being canceled due to major wildfires.
• In 2009 I named the weekend: BAWSMDWETC (Bay Area Wester States Memorial Day WeekEnd Training Camp). 122 hilly miles as well (Mission Peak x6, Quicksilver 50-mile course, PG&E x4).
• In 2010, before my 3rd and last Western States, I scaled down with only 2 days and 49 hilly miles (Mission Peak and PG&E repeats).
• 2011 was completely different with a focus on speed work before the World Masters in Sacramento (8th overall in the 10K but 2 age group medals on the marathon, individual bronze and leading Team USA for a team gold).
• 2014 had only 87 miles, hilly ones on the first day (Black Mountain), then flat ones.
• In 2016, 90 miles over three days and some good heat training before Tahoe Rim Trail 100 (my biggest failed event with 3 DNFs total...).
• In 2017, 80 miles although I was mostly focused on recovery.

I skipped the past years due to two major injuries (2018 and 2024) but I'm not seriously rebuilding, at least as much as my torn meniscus allows, with a big goal mid June, Cool Moon 100. As I shared the past few weeks, I like to run the race distance over either 2 or 3 days so that was the goal this year.

On Saturday, I ran to the top of Black Mountain via the classic route I shared on several older posts, Montebello Road. For the interest of time, I'll just list the trails I then went on, to come back to the title of this post. After a first passage at the summit --I know, that's only 2,800 feet...-- I went down Bella Vista then up again on Indian Creek, down on Bella Vista then down Canyon trail all the way down Stevens Creek Canyon road. Then up on Lookout, Coyote Ridge, down to the Seven Springs Loop in Fremont Older, then home, along the rail tracks from Prospect to McClellan. A cute anecdote: at the bottom of Seven Springs 2 rangers were trying to catch speeding up bikes with a radar. They got me at 14 mph, duh! And I was 29 miles in a 35-mile run! We had a good laugh and chat.

So, back to the title: at the top of Montebello Road, I veered left on Water Wheel trail, one of my favorite, very rarely seeing anyone there as it takes a permit to park on the small lot. Favorite because, especially in hot days, there is a very refreshing spring which typically still runs late in the summer. Well... to my dismay, a tree fell on the frail plumbing installation which I've known for more than 10 years. I'm going to have to check with my friend and Mid Pen volunteer, Chuck Wilson, who I can contact to see if that can be repaired. Being one of the very few users, I'm ready to give a hand...

Overall, a great day with many stops along the way to simply enjoy life. While working hard as Coros can testify. In this fly over, I even included a few clips while running on Canyon trail, to better illustrate the speed. But I agree, holding the camera in one hand while taking care of 2 bottles in the other, and no stabilizer, sucks. You've been warned! ;-) Video also includes a survey of the Water Wheel spring carnage, a new house up on Montebello with quite a view, healthy creeks and more views.

A great day to be out there with so many creeks still flowing strong, and a few flowers enjoying the cooler weather, still. May miss the heat training for Cool Moon but at least I feel better with some hill work. More for day 2 and 3, next!

PS: more pictures. First, still not a trail but makes the climb of the (Stevens Creek Reservoir) dam much easier, almost a carpet!

The reservoir still almost full, with still a good inflow of water from the Stevens Creek and feeding creeks.

That brand new house up high on Montebello, with quite a view!

The fallen tree, recently uprooted from what I can tell.

Above the Pacific fog.

Black Mountain #2

Top of Lookout.

Seven Springs loop, above Cupertino.