8.18.2010

CasITa-to-5k Goes Moccasin Trail Running

The CasITa-to-5k went trail running in Rolling Hills Estates after work yesterday.

I was anxious to try out my new Dirty Girl Gaiters.

One of the runners at the Rockin' The Coto Trail Half Marathon had recommended Dirty Girl Gaiters after I mentioned having to stop numerous times to dump rocks and even a small branch from my shoes.

The gaiters shipped with Velcro to affix to the back of your shoe. I had carefully cut the strip to match the pattern on the back of my shoe so it would be more aesthetically pleasing.

The gaiters were surprisingly easy to put on - you simply put them on with your socks and then when you put on your shoes, you clip the hook to your laces and you stick the Velcro to the piece on the back of your shoe.

Rolling Hills Estates is a gated community located atop the hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The city includes 25 miles of bridle trails and 10 miles of bicycle paths.

We decided we'd run along some of the horse trails so we parked and started down the Moccasin Trail.

I enjoyed running up and down the gentle rolling hills. The ground consisted of loosely packed sand and rocks. Freshly fallen horse manure created somewhat of an obstacle course for us.

Moccasin Trail led us past the South Coast Botanic Garden. This 87-acre garden was once a landfill.

A white fence lined the soft-packed equestrian trail which led us by numerous horse stables.

Markers labeled each fork in the trail. From the Moccasin Trail, we ventured onto the Botanic Gardens Trail.

The abundance of trees offered ample shade for us to keep cool on a warm evening.

Given the loose terrain, I was thrilled to have my new camouflage gaiters on. It was a relief to be able to run without having to wiggle my feet to move rocks out from under my soles.

The gaiters were surprisingly comfortable. The hooks and Velcro held them firmly in place.

By the end of the run, the gaiters were thoroughly coated in dirt, my shoes were rock-free, and I was one happy Green Girl.

12 comments:

  1. That's a useful piece of equipment. Nice scenery in your run report! I think I know that horse! [he owes me money].

    BTW your ankles disappeared in that picture ... the camo really works!

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  2. I've got gaitets from my mountain-climbing days, but they're knee high and not that cool camo design.

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  3. Thanks, Andrew! Ha.

    I can't believe I didn't get a pair sooner - it made huge difference!

    Kovas, I think the knee high ones would be handy for the trails where there's poison ivy.

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  4. Could have used those on some hiking trails.

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  5. Ooooo, those are rocking camo gaiters - I totally love them!! I need to get me some!!

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  6. So cool... i've never even hear of gaiters before! :)

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  7. Yep, Dirty Girl makes some awesome gaiters. Hard to choose between the prints!

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  8. You truly are an amazing person!!!

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  9. These are really cool. I've never heard of them. I also don't do much off road but I'd love to do more trail runs!

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  10. OMG I am so stunned! You got gaiters! and they are so you too!!!! I love that your getting out there and "playing" :) with new trails! I wish I was there!

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