…is how to read a map.  Well, I can read a map to get me around on the streets or the freeways.  I’m not that bad.  The maps I have a very hard time reading are the trail maps that I pour over.   That was very evident this past weekend.

I’m temporarily in charge of planning the runs for our running group, which would be the PacWest Athletic Marin Run Group (www.pacwestathletics.com).   I’m leading our Tuesday Trail Runs which are simple 5-7 mile runs.    In additon, I’m leading the long runs on Sunday mornings.

Now, I know trails and can easily find my way around without getting too lost.  And if I get lost I can just backtrack and find my way again.  Leading other people astray, however, is something that makes me a bit nervous.  So I pour over my trail maps, looking for manageable yet fun routes.

This past weekend I got VERY adventurous and chose a loop that I have not done before.  I did highlight the loop on my map and knew where the trails intersected and had mileage planned.   I even wrote the trails on my hand so I was certain I knew where I was going.

All good, right?  Well, not quite.

My big mistake was not determining the elevation gain, loss and gain of the run I chose.  (You trail runners out there are no doubt laughing at me right now.)

We did quite a bit of steady, slow climbing to the top of the ridge which was a distance of about 2 plus miles.   It wasn’t steep, per se, but we did climb for a while.  Then we went down, which was a bit steep at times, but enjoyable.  A nice rolling, long way down to the valley.    Well,  the problem was that in order to get back to our cars, we had to go back up to the ridge from the valley.   And it was a long way back up.  A long, steady climb of 2 miles.

Thankfully noone threw me off the side of the hill and we all made it to the end.  A bit tired but satisfied that we completed this challenging course.  When I got back in the car I looked at my map a bit more closely.  Realizing that I should learn how to read a topographical map before plotting my next run.   Eh – live and learn!

Now go run!

Keli

P.S.  Here is the trail we took in case you want to run it (in spite of the climbing, the views are SPECTACULAR) Total distance:  7.14 miles

1. Park in front of Fire Station on Spencer Ave (Sausalito)
2. Take Morning Sun Trail to top
3. Turn right to Alta
4. Take right to Bobcat ( climb) to the missile silo at the top
5. Go left around the silo area and run down Miwok
6. Miwok ends at Rodeo Valley, go left
7. Turn left again back onto Bobcat (climb to top)
8. Go right onto Alta to Morning Sun back down again to parking lot