Pasadena Trail Running Challenge {An Accidental Bandit}

This spring has been CRAZY. Between all the travel, getting sick before my California trip, and a weird ice storm this past weekend, I am feeling REALLY unprepared for the double marathon coming up on June 1. I have missed/shortened long runs, midweek runs, and have not been doing well on the nutrition side of things.

But you know what? I am still going to do it! Yes! All the Affirmations!

So anyway, today I thought I’d share a crazy experience I had at the Pasadena Trail Running Challenge. I was in Pasadena for a work conference and had no idea how I was going to get a long run in. Sunday I had free but I had a red eye scheduled for 11:45 PM. I thought about seeing if a local gym would let me shower there since hotel checkout was at noon and there was no way I’d get 22 miles in before then and still have time to shower.

Something told me to just ask the hotel if I could extend my stay. Luckily the front desk guy was super nice and said he would give me the lower weekday rate if I extended to “Monday,” and long story short it ended up only costing $40 and I didn’t have to check out until Sunday evening.

I had done some searching for local trails and at the conference I met a runner who said that the Arroyo Seco trail was flat, and I was looking forward to doing a nice flat long run.

I used the AllTrails app to navigate to the trailhead. I got out of my car and saw a lot of runners on the trail. I wondered if it was a training group. I jumped in and discovered that it was the Pasadena Trail race. There was a 5 mile and a 10 mile option, and the course wasn’t closed so I could still run there. I figured cool, at least the trail was marked. I could do two 10 mile loops and be close enough to my mileage.

Well, after the first two flat miles, it went uphill. Literally.

beautiful day for a trail run! #seenonmyrun #fitfluential #sweatpink

A post shared by Wendy Hammond (@wholisticwoman) on Apr 8, 2018 at 12:08pm PDT

Two of the ladies I was with said it was like childbirth, continual pain.

I was so glad to get to the top of the mountain and start back down the hill. I decided that I was only going to do 10 miles. I texted DH this fact and he said, “suck it up, buttercup.” I told him that he wasn’t there so screw him haha. I turned around instead of following the race because I wasn’t sure at what point I had joined, and where it would end up. I wanted to make sure I could get back to my car.

The trail was very narrow, and although it’s popular with mountain bikers I couldn’t imagine riding up there!

Everyone was very respectful and appreciative that I got off the trail when I heard/saw them coming on their bikes. Of course I did! Any excuse to rest and get some water, because it was HOT compared to home.

When I made it back down the mountain, there was an aid station for the race and they asked if I would like some water. I told them I wasn’t actually part of the race, and they said no problem, they were happy to help. I was grateful for the refill.

I did manage to find my car, and even though I only did 10 miles I definitely felt that I had had a complete body workout. I was glad I still had my hotel room so I could take a nap and shower before my red eye.

Here is what I came home to, I knew I wasn’t in California any more when I changed planes in Chicago:

Just to rub it in, my phone thought I was still in Los Angeles. In case you can’t tell from the photo that is SNOW!

Overall, the Pasadena Trail Challenge was a total blast. I would love to go back someday and run it for real, not just as an accidental bandit. I’ve discovered that trail running is one of my favorite ways to explore new places.

Do you run when you’re traveling for work or leisure? (Not a runcation)

How do you find where to run?

For more fitness inspiration be sure to check out these running link ups: The Weekly Wrap hosted by hosted by HoHo Runs and Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home and Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia!