Rewards

Today, on a whim I decided to take a different route for my 10 miler and check out the new pavement on a formerly dirt road. My original plan was to do a 4 mile loop down the new road and then turn back to my usual running neighborhood. However, somewhere around mile 3 that changed. I've always looked up the side streets on this particular road, trying to figure out if one of them will lead me to the top of the mesa. I think that several roads will get there, but they all involve really big, scary, long hills and they've always intimidated me.

I noticed a side street that didn't look too scary and I thought, "why not"? If there are hills and they're too big, I can always walk up them. So I turned left and started up. I continued to climb gradually on a very nice, wide road with some truly beautiful homes tucked away in the eucalyptus. Then-no more houses. Just me, a perfectly paved street, and trees. I'm guessing the developer will eventually put in more homes; at this point, however, there's absolutely nothing up there.

I ran the road to the end, about 1 1/2 miles of seclusion. On my way back I took another little side street just to see where it went and that's when I finally reached the top of the mesa and the absolutely magnificent view. I could see all the way across the valley to the hills on the other side, with strawberry and broccoli fields below. I tried to find the route I ran for the 1/2 marathon I've done in the past; I know it's down there somewhere. The morning was cold and overcast; The hills across the valley were covered in a pale grey mist. After admiring the view I headed back down to finish my run. I'm going to add this route to my list and I intend to enjoy it as long as I can. I hope the developer takes his sweet time building the rest of his houses.