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Running with the Coyotes

On October 25 I tried to join the LA Trail Runners Club for a morning trail run in the Santa Monicas. That was the day my achilles issues started and after about three steps, I called it quits and walked back to my car. Since then, I’ve been itching to do a group run on some local trails.

I patiently waited and waited and today was finally the day! I didn’t run with the Trail Runners Club, instead I joined the Coyotes, a local running group led by Jimmy Dean Freeman, an accomplished ultrarunner and running coach.

The Coyotes have a weekly run on Thursday mornings on the Mandeville Fire Road, starting off of Westridge. This morning, I took the main fire road up to Nike Station with a couple guys and then returned along the ridge single track trail with one dude. I probably pushed a little harder than I should have, but so far, at least, my achilles is fine. I definitely felt it in my legs – and upper body – during yoga today.

Meeting at 6:10 means getting up earlier than I otherwise would have to and getting out to Westridge is a bit of a hike from home, but I’ll definitely go back for some more Thursday morning running. And one of these days, I’ll take a cue from Billy/LA Runner and bring a camera along on one of my runs.

Run – Feb 4
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 1:01
Course: Westridge to Nike (single-track on return)
Conditions: Early AM start, nice morning, 50’s

Yoga – Feb 4