Dream Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: ?
Location: Newport Beach

*Note - This run occurred Tuesday, June 21st.

This was my most enjoyable run yet. The surroundings had me completely mesmerized for the whole run. From Sunday to Thursday of this week Deborah and I stayed at Newport Beach with my family. We had loads of fun hanging out with everyone, especially my nephew and niece, who just turned 2 and 1. Originally I had mapped out several runs to go on while we were out there, but once there it was a little harder to find the time to go running, so I only ran once, but it was an epic run.

I headed out around 5pm, the sun still high in the sky but beginning its descent toward the west. Clouds were moving in, so the light was diffused for a dramatic effect. The walk from the condo we were staying at down to the beach is nearly a mile, but it's a very scenic walk. After crossing PCH, I walked through Crystal Cove State Park, an untouched stretch of coast where one can see California's native coastal landscape spread out around him/her. The flora and fauna capture something romantically whimsical for me. Growing up, the beach was my home away from home, and returning there always feels special. The scrub brush and wildflowers give off a pleasing aroma. And I saw a large roadrunner scurry across my path. The path through Crystal Cove from PCH takes you to the edge of a cliff, at which point it descends sharply. I walked down the path to the beach and was met with a cool ocean breeze. I removed my sandals and stashed them in a bush by the path. I would be running barefoot. I headed straight for the water, soaked my feet, stretched out a bit near a large rock in the water, and headed south. The sensation of running barefoot at first felt strange. I ran along the wet sand and through the incoming tide. The ground was harder than I anticipated and I sensed that it wasn't going to go well for my feet. But I soon warmed up to it. After half a mile I ran past the Crystal Cove Cottages, a group of historic homes built in the 1920s. This section of the beach was busy with people, but everywhere else on this run I hardly saw a soul. I ran past the cottages and on toward an area of the coast that slightly juts out called Reef Point. I had to run over some rocks and then on to more open coastline. By now the novelty of running barefoot along the beach slightly wore off and I felt tired. I was still quite distracted by the stunning scenery and I never at any point on this run felt as worn out as I normally do when running at home, but the constant pounding of my feet on the wet sand began to take its toll. This was a long stretch. After rounding Reef Point I could finally see my destination, Abalone Point, a headland that jutted out into the sea and put an abrupt end to the sandy beach. But as I got closer and closer to the cliff, my feet began to hurt all the more. I finally, not far from my destination, had to stop. The bones on the bottom of my feet were taking a beating and they couldn't go on. I rested briefly, letting the waves come in and cool off my tired feet. I was close to deciding to just turn and head back, but my resolve kicked in and I resumed my run, bound and determined to make it to Abalone Point! And I finally did. By this point I had ran about 2.3 miles. My plan was to turn and head back to the cottages, which would make it an even 4, and then walk the rest of the way. After a quick rest at the headland I turned north, facing the setting sun, which was covered in cloud by now, and began running. The whole way back didn't go so well. I stopped about 3 times because my feet just couldn't hang. In hindsight I should have worn shoes and just avoided the water, but it's just not the same. There's something awesomely unique about running barefoot through the water as it pushes up from the sea and recedes back over your feet. It's motivating and a cool relief. But the trade-off is sore feet. Anyway, I did run the majority of the way back and once I got to the cottages I decided to run all the way back to my starting point to make up for the times I stopped. So I figured altogether I got in 4 miles of actual running. I didn't time this run, though, because I wanted to simply take in the surroundings and bask in the ocean air without worrying about beating a time. By the time I reached my starting point and retrieved my sandals, I was beat. I felt completely exhausted. My legs were sore but in a different way, obviously due to using different muscle sets on a different terrain. The walk back to the condo was rough. I had to take the trail uphill now and my body was quickly running out of energy.

When I finally got back to the condo and ate a good dinner, I felt good enough to reflect on the run. It was truly a spectacular experience. Much like when I used to surf, I felt immersed in the sea and its environs. I wasn't watching the waves roll in from afar, I was running through them, splashing in them, partaking in their energy. I felt invigorated during the entire run, even when my feet were aching so much I had to stop. I now want badly to begin running in new and unique locations. It helps immensely with motivation and keeping things interesting. I'll never forget my run to Abalone Point. I can't wait to do it again!