Berkeley Fire Trails

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays we have group workouts, but Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays we are on our own for training (Friday is a rest day).  Yesterday we had a really hard circuit training track workout that just about killed me.   So of course, rather than take it easy today, I decided to run the Berkeley Fire Trails. 

I love running the fire trail.  It is the best way to release the stress after a tough day at work.  It is right beside my office, so I just drop off my bag at my car and run right from there.  Plus it offers some fabulous views of Berkeley, the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge (on 

a clear day).  It is a 3-7 mile run depending on how far you go.  The way up is all uphill (you are running up a mountain), but that just makes the run back a little faster.  The way up definitely is a killer, and about 15 minutes into the run you hit the "connector."  It is a very steep, approximately 30 degree slope, 200 meter segment connecting the lower and upper fire trail. The other day I saw a crazy ROTC student running up it with a log on their shoulders.  Most people are generally gasping for air once they get to the top of the connector.  Even the toughest runners are gasping for air at the top of the connector.

Here are some pics from the Fire Trail (I borrowed them from yelp because I didn't have my camera with me).  It's an absolutely beautiful run.