My current gig requires a certain level of fitness for pounding one leg and then another leg many…read moretimes over and over into the pavement. In my youth I could run like a gazelle....well, maybe a gazelle with a cheetah attached to one leg. This is not the case now. At this stage in my life, I run like a hippo, who is capable of quick speeds over short distance...a sprint that in short order becomes a lumbering trot. At 260 lbs, I have built myself up over the years in a different way, but I want to be better at running.....I really do.
Never really heard or knew much about trail running. I had seen some trail running crazies while out and about in the Mojave and other difficult places. I have even seen them ditty bopping up to the peak of Mt. Charleston. I thought of this type of physical fitness activity as hardcore...and sometimes just plain insane.
Since arriving at my current assignment, I have often heard from the more cardio fit coworkers spinning tales of being out in nature and getting after it on dirt trails. The conversation extended into trail shoes, playlists, trail names, fitness watches, and phone apps. Though I was never really a part of the conversation, I eavesdropped and a statement struck a cord with me. It was said trail running makes you a better runner on the hard top. Really?
I love nature. I like fitness. I want to be a better runner.
I then heard about Law Dawg Trail Tours (LDTT). For $30 bucks, LDTT would come and pick you up (house, hotel, etc.), and guide a trail running trip for you. I hopped on the computer and scheduled a trip.
I spoke with the owner/operator, Josh about the when and the wheres. Josh is clearly passionate about trail running, trail running in Southern Nevada, and wants to share what he knows with others. He informed me the trail we would be taking did not require trail shoes, and my current go fasters would be fine enough.
We set a date to go run the Calico Basin Trail and made arrangements for him to pick me up at my house at 7:00 in the morning on a Saturday.
I woke up to a torrential downpour occurring outside. I was good to go, but was not sure if LDTT would be. I checked my phone and there was not text or phone message. Then I received a text at approximately 6:30, letting me know Josh was on his way. At 10 minutes till there was a light knock on the door. Much appreciated as it did not wake up the GF.
I stepped out into the rain and placed my gear in an immaculate (minus being wet) looking Toyota FJ. Josh asked me I wanted a water or a snack but I was content with my bulletproof coffee. Off we went into the cloudy, rain soaked morning.
While driving to the trail head, Josh threw out multiple factoids about Vegas, and that transitioned to factoids about the Red Rock area when it's beauty came into view. It helped cut the edge off nervous excitement I was feeling.
When we arrived at the trail head, the rain was a still coming down. Josh gave a quick brief on the trail and running tips on how I should attack it. He threw some water, first aid kit, and other gear in a back pack and pointed the way. With a beep of his watch, we were off.
We chatted about this and that as I enjoyed the cold, wet morning. With the first splash of a puddle, I was immediately reminded of my childhood and looked for every puddle to splash in after that. With every step I enjoyed my rising heart rate enjoying the surroundings. The desert a majority of time is one tough bitch. When in the desert during rain, you get to see and experience it's almost softer side. Water can most certainly invigorate and/or weaken just about anything, including the Mojave.
The trail split this way and sometimes that way, Josh was behind me giving direction...tips on the value of duct tape, and.......more factoids!
We would eventually summit a rather large hill after an approximate 500 foot elevation gain. I would imagine this vantage point offers a great view of valley below, but not on this day. The valley was sacked with moisture laden clouds. Not to matter, the clouds hanging around the Red Rock area, made for a beautiful and seldom seen landscape.
After a photo op, we headed back down to complete this 3.5 mile trail. After much fun, many puddles, and spying a lone jack rabbit, we ended up back at the FJ and with a beep of the watch...we were done. With a huge smile on my face, I swapped out gear for some dry stuff. One thing I noticed as I was throwing on my flip flops, was that my knees, hips, and lower back weren't as sore as when I normally run on the streets.
LDTT is punctual, knowledgable, friendly, and more than reasonably priced. I would imagine even a Uber/Lyft from anywhere on the Strip is going to be a pricey proposition. But to be picked up on the Strip or any other area of the Vegas for that matter, and taken to whatever trailhead you desire on the website, and guided after that...It just can't be beat!! I am now a convert!
