The returning runner
Act 30 – Dirt-Bike mode!
My wife had dropped me off to squeeze in a quick 5 miles or so prior to a family function. The first part of my chosen just over 1-mile loop started at the northern Bartley Ranch parking area by the restrooms. Heading south down the path along the roadway is always a particularly fun jaunt. Although the narrow dirt path runs along the park road, it is very well shaded (almost rain-forest like) with a couple of small creek crossings. Not a stretch where you can open it up and run hard – too many little dips, turns, and jumps. But just a fun little warm-up stretch.
After a quarter mile or so, the narrow trail tees into a wider trail heading steeply uphill to the right. I made the turn, my shoes dug in, and energy surged! I had it!! I had “dirt-bike mode”!! I churned through the first 70 yards or so, then, as the grade flattened slightly, shifted to a higher gear. The yards melted behind me as my knees lifted through the next 100 yards. Then, the last 50 yards the grade steepened. I downshifted and punched it– making sure to not yield until I had crested the hill. I can’t fully explain “dirt-bike mode”. I can’t make myself get it. You just know when you make that first turn unto a steep stretch…It’s going to be a day when your speed may be limited by strength (or age) but the energy just doesn’t seem to stop.
The next stretch ran along the top of an old irrigation flume. The vertical sides didn’t encourage pushing it on this nearly flat stretch. Turning off the flume to the right before the drop off at the end, a very narrow, windy, rocky section winds along for another 300 yards. Then, with a sharp turn to the right I’m kicking into “dirt-bike mode” again! The trail winds steeply up through a series of switchbacks. Almost angrily I hit the turns hard. Banking like a race car driver I careened around a hairpin turn into another generally flat stretch.
I lazily cruised along the ridge top heading north toward the Windy Hill overlook (Audry Harris Park). The last stretch steepens to something like a 25% grade. I still had it! I pushed hard up this narrow, steep section. I crested the summit breathing hard but somehow not exhausted. The last “challenge portion” starts out with a steep downhill but which transitions to a long, gradual, uphill heading north. A utility marker designates the “finish line” and subtle crest. I headed slowly down the steep downhill part, then transitioned into an all-out high-gear drive to the crest. This was the last of my four “challenge” hills along the loop. From there, the trail heads fairly steeply down (even including some steps) to the conclusion of the loop.
Four times I ran the loop. Four times I had “dirt-bike” mode for each of my adrenaline-charged hills. From there, I trotted an agonizing paved mile to meet up for my ride…I can’t predict when “dirt-bike” mode will appear. Of course, it will never happen the day after a half marathon or some other crazy exertion. I can’t make it appear. You’ll just dig in one day and you will feel it!
Hope you have a “dirt-bike” day soon! ;O)
Photo: The covered flume portion of the Bartley Ranch Trail