Running Tour of Santa Cruz

California Long Run Training and Fueling

Starting out a Sunday morning with a 20 mile long run takes a lot of preparation and training, but it’s well worth it. The UCSC to the Sea trail is a gem in the Santa Cruz area, and can easily be made into a day hike or a shorter trail by doing sections at a time. Weaving from the redwood mountains, down to the coast, with waves crashing almost directly next to the trail, and then heading back, makes for a breathtaking journey all in one day.

For any trail runners out there, or general adventurers, this is a must do trail. At 20 miles in length, the change in scenery and environment is like nothing I’ve seen before, and you get a great sense of the area all in one route. I worked with Long Run Coffee to fuel my run today and felt such a great difference. Their blends are designed specifically for endurance runners and include electrolytes, helping you stay hydrated while on the trail.

Starting Out

The trail can be started at any location along the route. The official trail takes you through the UCSC Upper Campus Nature Preserve, where you can pay for parking. Alternatively, you can park along Empire Grade, a common spot for mountain bikers and hikers, which is about 3 miles into the run. The last option is to park at Wilder Ranch State Park, which is the area of the route that’s closest to the ocean. This would allow you to do the uphill first and then just coast on the way back. 

I chose to park along Empire Grade, and almost flew through the first few miles into the redwoods as I made my way down the hill. Right at the beginning, you can also find stunning grassy meadows with views of the water, where you’ll eventually be in about 10 miles.

Packing and Preparation

Make sure to have enough water and food for the journey. Depending on the time of year, there isn’t much shade cover on parts of the trail so it can be hot. Since this is a longer route, make sure you plan ahead and estimate how long you think you’ll be out. Remember, it’s always better to be over prepared than under prepared. If you’re running this trail, I’d aim for roughly 2 liters of water and a snack (think gels, energy chews, etc) per hour. For me, this meant packing 1.5 liters of water in my vest and carrying three gels with me. This got me through the whole trip and I still had a bit left over.

Depending on the levels of rain, some trails may be closed. Try to monitor the park and the weather before your planned date to ensure you don’t get rained out, and so you have a chance to experience the best of Santa Cruz weather.

As you can tell from the above map, there are many trails that weave through Wilder Ranch State Park, so having a navigation system to guide you is key. You can find the route on AllTrails or bring maps of the area to help.

The Journey Back

Rest and recovery is key. Whether you’re training for a race or wanting to push yourself with a longer run, always remember that the way you treat yourself after the run is as important (if not more) as during the run. I like to take a few minutes to stretch out my muscles when I get back to the car, and I pack electrolytes and snacks for the drive home. Once I’m back, try to go easy and fuel properly. Rolling out your muscles is great, as well as gentle yoga. 

 

 

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