Westridge - Mulholland - Sullivan Ridge and Canyon (Trail Run) 12/26/2010

12/26/2010 - casual trail run in Santa Monica hills.

Running review is below with some tips for those of you who consider to run it the future:

Distance: 9.26 miles

Course: Start the run at the end of Westridge road and run north towards Nike radar station, run west on Mulholland to Sullivan Ridge,and then run down to Sullivan Canyon and climb up to the finish/start point.

Elevation profile: Net ~0 ft, gain of ~1,500ft and loss of ~1,500ft

Crowd: N/A

The easy part: Great weather

The challenging part:Watch for that steep climb in the end

Food, before: Nothing special, just a casual run

Food, after: Isotonic beverage and yogurt

Price: Free

Pacers: No

Timing: Self

Qualifying: No

Official website: N/A

My 2 cents: I ran the trail after one of the rainiest weeks in SoCal, Sullivan Canyon became Sullivan River and climbing back to the ridge was muddy and literally one step up 2 steps sliding down. Dry season would be much easier for this trail.

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MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.

Santa to the Sea - Half Marathon 2010

On 12/12/2010 I ran the 3rd Santa to The Sea Half Marathon in Oxnard, CA. The theme of the run is Christmas, Santa and a toy drive at the starting line. The atmosphere was one of a kind with runners dressed up accordingly to the run's theme.

Here is some basic information and tips for those of you who consider to try it out in the future:

Distance: 21.95km / 13.11 miles

Course: From "Giant Santa" located at 2801 Ventura Blvd to Marine Emporium Landing, you will run through the strawberry fields of Oxnard, the city and finish running along the pacific coast

Elevation profile: Net drop of ~0 ft, as the locals would say, "flat as a pancake"

Crowd: Mostly for the experience and charity some elite runners

The easy part: flat course

The challenging part: Confusing distance signs

Food, before: Nothing special, it is just a half....

Food, after: Great spread of refreshments served in multiple booths across the finish line

Price: $60

Pacers: No

Timing: Yes, chip

Qualifying: No, official LA marathon warm up

Official website: Santa To The Sea

My 2 cents: Do it. Fun race, mainly because of the great crowd you will run with.

Completed Marathons Map



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MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.

CIM - California International Marathon 2010

On 12/5/2010 I ran the 28th CIM- California International Marathon. Overall I had a very positive experience. The course was harder than I expected yet the recovery from the run was faster than I expected.

Here is some basic information and tips for those of you who consider to try it out in the future:

Distance: 42.19km / 26.22 miles

Course: Folsom Lake to Capital Park Sacramento, mostly urban not a scenic run

Elevation profile: Net drop of 340 ft

Crowd: Good mix of elite runners and amateurs

The easy part: first 5 miles mostly downhill

The challenging part: You won't see or hear the finish line until the very last ~300ft

Food, before: Italian food at Ten22 in Old Sacramento

Food, after: Thai food at Bangkok@12 on the corner of 12 & I

Price: $80 by August 1, $100 until 7,500 limit is achieved

Pacers: Yes, multiple groups

Timing: Yes, chip

Qualifying: Yes, Boston

Official website: CIM

My 2 cents: Let gravity pull you downhill in the first half but don't "overpace" it, still got 13 more miles to go flat

Completed Marathons Map



View Marathons Map in a larger map

MUST READ: By reading parts or all of this blog, the reader (“You”) understand that trying on your own, some or all of the reviews (in part or in full) in this blog is potentially hazardous activity. You should not participate in running or walking or jogging or any other form of physical activity (collectively known as “Activities”) on the trails or courses or races (collectively known as “Paths”) reviewed unless you are medically able and properly trained. In any event, your Activities taking place in the Paths reviewed in this blog will be solely at your own risk under your full responsibility and under no circumstances shall the author and owner of this blog have any liability for direct or indirect physical or mental damages/injuries or death or damage/loss to your valuables or belongings as a direct or indirect result of your decision to participate in Activities based on reviews in this blog.

The author of this blog does neither represent nor warrants that the reviews in this blog are accurate or provide accurate representation of the prevailing conditions including but not limited to course, weather, surface condition or animals at the time you will choose to participate in Activities based on the reviewed Paths. The reviews were accurate strictly for the time at which they were explored and ran or walked by the author and should not be relied upon for planning or doing your Activities.

These are mountain, unpaved trails and paved road courses; some are away from medical services. The Paths have numerous risk factors which include, just to name a few out of many others, rattlesnakes, coyotes, mountain lions, ticks, poison oak, and other potentially dangerous and harmful animals, vegetation, fire hazards,  and other dangerous and harmful elements. Wearing sun block will protect your skin and should be taken into your consideration before exposing your skin to the sun.

If you choose to participate in Activities based on one, some or all of the reviewed Paths you assume all risks associated with your Activities, including varying and/or existing potentially harmful or hazardous weather conditions including but not limited to high heat and/or humidity, varying and/or existing conditions of the trails and roads, animals, poison oak, and traffic on the Paths including travel to and from the Paths, and including but not limited to trips, slides or falls of cliffs or steep slopes and contacts with other participants, all such risks being known and appreciated by you, and including all direct or indirect injuries or death that may be suffered before, during, or after an Activities.

It is highly recommended to perform the Activities as part of a group of multiple people. In addition it is highly recommended that you will carry essentials which include but are not limited to at least 64 Oz. of water, 4 energy bars, map of the area with a marked course, watch, GPS, cellular phone and a first-aid kit.

By reading parts or all of this blog and choosing to run, walk or physically follow any of the courses, trails or races reviewed you for yourself and anyone entitled to act on your behalf, unconditionally and with no reservations waive and release the author and owner of this blog, its agents and representatives, and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of your participation in Activities based on the reviews in this blog.

About the blog

Welcome!

I am an amateur long distance runner. I am a veteran, engineer by trade and an investments professional for a living. I run for all the good reasons you can think of and above all I find this spare time hobby challenging, satisfying and a great way to get a break from life's chaotic agenda.

This blog will review the various running paths I have explored as well as various competitive races I completed. I hope to explore and collect more information in the future and will share as soon as possible after crossing the finish line. I hope you will find this information helpful and useful as you prepare for your next race in the pipeline.

Feel free to comment and share from your experiences tips for other runners!

Thank you for reading, contributing and hope you will follow my blog!

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