Solitary

Sunday morning I went on one of my favorite routes...it was flag day so as I traipsed through the neighborhood I saw some nice flag and flower displays and then up the back entrance to the park and trail running. It is a pretty steep climb up and up to what I call High Meadow...running alone as far as I know which is nice especially on a Sunday when the park can get crowded. As I was moving along on through the flat grassy meadow I thought I heard someone running up behind me...I kept me pace and was expecting to get passed...I am sure I heard footsteps behind and was just about to the pond, so again kept the pace. I got to the pond and jogged in place to check the water level and looked back to see who was there and lo and behold I was all by myself...a Solitary runner on a beautiful Sunday morning...maybe it was the ghost of a Native American soul that continues to run High Meadow and wanted to run along...or maybe just me kicking up some dust rustling off the dry grasses of the meadow. After the pond there is a water fountain and place to water horses. Perfect location after a long pull up hill and got a nice cool drink.
I continue along, again solo which is unusual for the day and a location...not even hikers or dog walkers...on to Mesa Trail and up to Maple Canyon, past that little pond and all the way to the Homestead Site before I see anyone. A real nice Sunday morning run. The Homestead Site is kind of neat...something from the mid-1800s and all that is left is a piece of the brick chimney and some steps. Must have been a wonderful place when built, but man what a chore to get all that stuff up there by horse and wagon.
Down Maple Canyon is just fabulous. I generally run with just some sunglasses on...not even scripts...just plain old shades, and those have to go up on the head as the overhanging trees shade the root bound trail so well and the sun creates a great camouflage dapple that the unsuspecting trail runner will get tripped up before you can say Bob's your uncle. More than once my friend more than once have I gone down...once while running the Pacific Coast Trail run last year. Note to self...look them up and see when they are coming back this year.
Out the end of the canyon and around the Boranda Rancho loop...through the visitors center and home along the road. Gosh that is a nice run...
Monday felt a little stiff and slow as I had done some good work and distance on the Sunday run, and got to walk a round of golf too...but a good day to run just the same.