406 miles, a Tight Hammy, and Snakes; A Pink Fanny Pack Waddles By

This is round two of my lunchtime turkey sandwich, blueberries and cottage cheese blogging. I was think about running - how bizarre it really is...how to some, the idea of running generates flashbacks of high school PE, waddling around a track in short shorts in complete agony, trying not to pass out or get passed by the fat kid. To others (like myself) running is bliss. If you fall into the category of the former, you might want to stop reading our of sheer boredom or haunting memories...but if you fall into the latter, read on because I'm going to post my top 10 runs of all time and I'd love to get some feedback of other's favorite runs.

I've tried to understand what it is about running that is so addictive...and I'm not sure that I've nailed it down yet - but I think it in large part can be summed up in 1) Endorphins, 2) Exertion, and 3) Exploration. The endorphin high that is generated by running hard is quite addicting. Maybe it's just me, but I need to exert myself pretty much every day to keep my mind clear - that's another thing: I do the clearest thinking on my long runs. And 3) - running is a fantastic way to explore the beach, mountains or cities.

With that said, here are my top 10 runs of all time...if you're ever in any of these areas - check out these runs.

1) Madonna Hill - San Louis Obispo, CA
I found this trail by just running out of my hotel and wandering until I found a park, then a trail - I followed the trail across a barren meadow until the trail meandered to the right and climbed Madonna Hill. I ran the ridge line of Madonna Hill for about a mile until the trail descended back down the other side. The rolling rocky terrain and cool ocean breezes made me think this is what Ireland would be like. It was about a 6 mile loop.

2) LaJolla Canyon - Malibu, CA
This is an absolutely fantastic trail. I did this one in the XTerra Scramble Race - 18K. 2-3 miles were on a ridge with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. 2-3 miles were in a gorgeous high meadow on the back side of the mountain. Really fantastic.

3) San Francisco, CA
One morning in San Francisco, I waddled out of my hotel near fisherman's wharf before dawn and began running toward the Golden Gate Bridge. As I waddled toward the bridge in the early morning darkness, a full moon appeared to be perched atop one of the columns of the Golden Gate Bridge. To this day, I wish I had a picture of that scene. The out and back was about 7 miles. It was a truly memorable run.

4) Somewhere Near Wooburn, MA
After my first day of work at a property outside of Boston, I threw on my Asics and headed out, not having any idea where I was going. It was a crisp fall day in the 50 degree range. I ran on a small trail around gorgeous brick houses, a medical facility and a school. It was old-school east coast at it's best.

5) Napa Valley Marathon - Napa, CA
This might be a posting of it's own at some point but to summarize: High point - first 17 miles, galloping down a winding road through gorgeous vineyards in Napa. Low point - Being passed by a guy wearing a pink fanny pack at mile 22 as I truly found out what it means to "bonk". Needless to say - this one was 26.2 miles.

6) An unnamed trail near Highlands Ranch, CO
This is a crisp (40s) early morning run in Colorado in early October. I followed a trail not far from my hotel as it wandered through trees and an open field.

7) River Trail - Portland, OR
Runs always seem more serene in the early morning. This one followed the river trail through the early morning fog down the river and across an old black draw bridge that was very eerie to run across.

8) The Puget Sound - Seattle , WA
Not far to the south of pier 67, a dirt trail begins and follows The Sound for, well, I don't know because I never got to the end - but I think it was go on for quite a while.

9) Crystal Cove State Park - Newport Coast, CA (Pictured above)
This is one of my favorite runs of all time. a 10 mile loop that covers beaches, canyons, and ridgelines.

10) Torrey Pines Reserve - La Jolla, CA
The Torrey Pines bluffs provide sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Dirt trails provide a soft surface and bomber hills provide all you can handle.

Ok, so I'm guessing no one is reading anymore - but if you are, post a comment and tell me you favorite runs - or just tell me I'm an idiot. Either way.

Waddle on, friend.