Before we get to this particular course preview, here’s a little backstory:
In early June, my friend Crystal and I decided to tackle a loop on the Bulldog course. It would be the first time either of us went out to Malibu Creek State Park since the Woolsey Fire raged through it last November.
A few markers were remaining from the previous week’s Bulldog course preview run, which gave us some indication as to where to go because one thing was obvious: the amount of overgrowth in the area was astounding. Trails weren’t as visible or as easily accessible as they once were before the fire.
After practically bushwhacking our way to reach the creek, another obvious thing was the amount of water rushing through it. We stood there assessing our options.
Do we plow through it and cover the next 12-ish miles in squishy socks and sloshy shoes? The sun and heat weren’t out this day so nothing would be drying.
Or do we maneuver over the rocks?
Considering the speed and height of the water, there was a very good chance we could slip and fall and potentially injure something. I didn’t feel safe doing that.
We could’ve also tried bypassing the creek and taking the road to the other side, but it was difficult to even find which way to go.
We decided to turn around and head towards the standard counterclockwise Bulldog loop.
All was well until we came upon the bridge we needed to cross to meet up with the trail on the other side. The bridge wasn’t there. Due to the fire and then the rain and flooding that followed, the bridge got washed out.
Well…what do we do now?
We continued and followed a leftover detour arrow and came upon some ladies who told us something like, “You could go through, the gate is unlocked.” At least that’s what we thought they said. What gate? Did they install a gate?
What we stumbled upon was a fallen tree log and thought, “This couldn’t be the way we go. Right?”
We moved away from the tree, turned to our right, and kept going up. That is until we realized that wasn’t correct either.
Where in the world do we go??
Are we supposed to cross this tree? The tree that is surrounded by muddy murky stinky water?? Uh, perhaps.
We didn’t know, and there were no visible markers for us to say with absolute certainty this was the direction we had to go.
After assessing the situation (again) we decided to turn around (again) and end our day with 11 miles – those wonderful 11 miles I mentioned as the longest distance in my Cirque Du Griffith Park post.
Now flash forward to a couple of weeks ago:
Crystal and I met up again for another Bulldog course preview training run and this time we were determined to complete the whole thing.
When we came upon the bridge it looked like it was completed. But it wasn’t.
We made our way towards the M*A*S*H site and then, the moment of truth was upon us.
The tree. It was still here and hadn’t moved. Or maybe it moved. The water sure looked more robust.
I didn’t want to face this tree. Fears of falling over it and into that water filtered through my mind and stirred up some anxiety.
Our tactic was this: wait for everyone else to cross because we would be slow.
Just after we arrived, a speedy running guy came through and floated over the log to the other side. He made it look effortless. A couple of other runners came through and slowly and steadily balanced their way across.
When everyone had passed, it was our time. I got nervous and tried not to freeze with the fear of falling in, especially after seeing someone fall into the water moments before. There wasn’t anyone else around us so if either one of us fell in, getting one of us out was going to be a serious challenge.
Crystal went first and took the strategy we knew would be the best option. When she was halfway across, and after I made sure everything on me was locked in and securely stored, I slowly inched my way forward. I didn’t want to go, but then I started repeating to myself, “I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.”
I just had to push through the fear and keep going because stopping and turning around wasn’t going to be an option this time around, nor on race day.
I dipped my body down and slowly stepped onto the bottom plank as I held onto the tree, slowly inching my way across. When I made it to the other side, I was finally able to breathe. At least for a short time, because I was about to make my way up the Bulldog.
We made it to the M*A*S*H site and discovered a couple of things. The first was a new Directional Sign was in place!
And the other thing we noticed was the addition of a Smartphone Camera Holder. This was also new.
Crystal and I took advantage of it.
As we made our way up the Bulldog, we came across a few new additions to the area:
Some interesting…umm…plants?
And concrete sandbags.
The photo doesn’t quite show these stone steps clearly, and they could’ve always been there, but we never noticed them before. Or perhaps brought in during the Woolsey Fire.
As we made our way up that notorious climb, I was reminded how difficult this course is, and how beautiful.
After we reached the the top, we headed towards Corral Canyon where we were greeted by a couple of guys with water, chips, and sweet delicious mandarin oranges.
Before we reached the rock formations, we noticed something else. There’s a road! I never knew there was a road there!
At the top of the rock formations, we paused because we caught a cool breeze and stopped to enjoy it for a minute.
We made it down the Backbone trail and when we reached the bottom we found out we had options for the creek crossing!
Left wet or Right dry?
If we go left, we’re crossing the creek, and considering how high it was recently, most likely we’d be sloshing through it and bushwhacking our way through that area again.
If we go right, we walk along Las Virgenes and while we go around, and over the creek, we’re dealing with cars driving around 45 miles per hour that are only a few feet away from us.
We went right.
Not sure if we’d have this option for the actual race, but probably not.
One big reason for doing this training run was not only to get my miles in but to assess where I am in regards to prepping for this race.
At this point I’m signed up for the 50K, but am I ready for this 50K? There’s a strong chance I may cut my distance in half that day. And to be honest, I’d be okay with that.
Bulldog is one tough cookie of a race. The course itself and the heat make it one of the most challenging of the local races.
After we completed our 16 miles for the day, Crystal and I celebrated with some deliciously cold and refreshing coconut water which is one of my favorites to drink after a long, hot, tiring training run. I better make sure I have some for race day.
Thank you for reading!