#trailtuesdaythrowback to #running up (and down) Mt. Tam almost two weeks ago with pal Hannah (1). The #trails are not (2) as green as they were two months ago (tantek.com/t4zc1). After an 88:31 climb (tied my 2nd fastest time) to Mt. Tam’s East peak summit, I could barely see the tiny San Franisco skyline poking through a thick fog blanket (3). Looking East the sun was rising far above the horizon, already well on its way at 7:30am (4).

Chasing Hannah back down the hill was faster than a month ago, setting a PR on the first 1.6 miles of steep technical descent. With a gentler downhill, Hannah ran ahead and disappeared. I settled into a good rhythm and pace of my own, having become more familiar with these trails.

While enjoying the Tenderfoot trail forest, I noticed the ground felt squishier from the recent rains. The trail narrowed with a hill on one side and ravine on the other. Suddenly the earth gave way under my right foot, I felt lower body start to spin and fall downward in slow motion, impact the side of the ravine, and start sliding.

I remember thinking, how far am I going to slide, followed shortly by, I have to stop! I spun to press against the hill, threw my arms up, dug my hands & fingers into the soft earth, slowing and stopping the slide. Took a few seconds to realize what happened, spit out some mud, and balance myself against the side of the hill to look up.

I’d slid ~20-30 feet down into the ravine. Nothing felt broken. I looked down and couldn't really see how far down I’d have to go. Looking back up I leaned my body into the side of the hill and slowly crawled up, keeping in contact. Made it back to the trail. Collected myself, scraped most of the mud off myself and my handheld water bottle, clearing off the mud at the top so I could still drink what was left. Another self-inspection, lots of scrapes from left forearm, to thigh, and knee which was bleeding but didn’t hurt. Shock, I’m sure.

Ran the rest of the trail, and onto Cascade road. I could start to feel the dirt stinging in my skin. Made it back to Equator coffee in downtown Mill Valley where Hannah was waiting. She checked to make sure I was ok, then took a photo at my request (5). Not pictured: my forearms muddy from elbow to wrist.

After wiping off a bit more, I drove us back to the city, went home, and scrubbed off all the mud & dirt in the shower. Scrapes & bruises, nothing broken, nothing twisted or strained.

Despite the fall, I set my second fastest time for the Mt. Tam Loop.

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