Day 614: San Buenaventura Park - Omer Raines Trail - Ventura Promenade - Emma Wood State Beach - Santa Clarita Skate Park & Aquatic Center

Early Saturday Morning - Marine Layer

Day #614 * Hike #723 * Duplicate Track

Saturday July 21, 2012
San Buenaventura Park - Ventura Promenade  - Ventura, CA

Omer Rains Trail - Emma Wood State Beach

My Tripometer: 2 Hours * 8.25 Miles * +50 Feet

I wasn't expecting to run 8 miles this morning!  I've already hiked along the Ventura Promenade in my 1000 Hike tail, but here we go...
Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Ventura, exit on Seaward and head over to Harbor Blvd.  Drive just past the In & Out Burger.  Turn left on San Pedro Street and park wherever you can for free on the street.  This beats the senseless paid parking at the park.  The trail and mileage counter begins at the sidewalk.  Begin to run to the Northwest with the Ocean on your left.

Since I could never locate the 1-mile marker, my mileage count begins at 2 miles.  I ran with Jess while Ayden road his bike.  Jess took an early lead but I closed the gap when a group of college runners swiftly passed me.  I drafted off them and surpassed my wife.  She was cracking up when I was mimicking them but quickly I slowed up.  I was toast; wasn't feeling it but she kept going.  I even began to walk!  I reached the 2 mile marker in a blah 19.41.02. 

My feet were strained so I walked a portion of the next stretch, the Omer Rains Trail.  Crossing the Ventura River using the Main Street Bridge, my slow pace allowed me the privilege of realizing all the homeless hideouts down below.  Intertwined between all the marshy overgrowth were dozens of dirty camps and tarps. Just wow!  I completed my 3rd Mile in 12.46.38. 

Before I reached the 4th Mile Marker, Jess passed me on the other side.  I figured that she was about 5 minutes up on me.  Honestly, I felt that I could catch her.  My 4th mile clocked in 9.39.37, stellar improvement wouldn't you say?  To keep it honest, I ran to the end of the trail where it meets the street at the top of the hill.  Up & back to the 4 mile marker lasted 2.01.80; I figure it to be about a quarter mile.  I kept running strong but then I realized that the bottom of my feet were really beginning to blister.  I ended up walking a portion of the 5th mile but still clocked it in 10.18.21.  I ran and walked  until finally halting entirely to take the soles out of my shoes.  I sat down, took off my socks and walked with no support.  My 6th mile measured 18.12.81.

There was no use so I walked the final 2 miles in 37.42.14.  My 8.25 Mile time was 1:49.53.  My wife beat me by more than 30 minutes!  What a way to start the weekend...

Day #614 * Hike #724 * New Track #604

Saturday July 21, 2012
Santa Clarita Skate Park & Aquatic Center - Santa Clarita, CA

My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1.25 Miles * +75 Feet

 While Ayden was warming up for diving, I trekked across the field

 Did I mention it was 95 degrees?  This bird didn't mind.

 Above the Park!

 Hey, there is a trail back here!

 Not much this way...

My feet were still killing from the run that morning so this little casual walk ended quickly.  It was an evening dive meet, the only way to hold such a meet in this heat!  Ayden performed six dives, very amazing.  The big tourney is just a month away!

Lol, Ayden has a little Girlfriend :)