Rancho San Vicente Extended Loop

The second run of my 52@52 challenge is officially in the books! This time, I tackled the scenic Rancho San Vicente Extended Loop—a trail I discovered browsing AllTrails. See the accelerated video below: 📽️

Once again, Marco joined me for the adventure and kept pushing the pace for most of the run. If he hadn’t, I definitely would have gone a lot slower (otherwise I’d just coast—hahaha). Having a persistent friend alongside makes the miles and hills feel a lot less daunting.

The weather was gloomy, but at least we avoided any real rain (just a few drops by the vista point). The cool, cloudy skies made for comfortable running—no overheating, no sunburn.

Wildlife highlights were mostly birds: we spotted some falcons and crows circling overhead. There were also cows about, but they don’t really count as “wild” (though they did add to the pastoral atmosphere).

On the downside, I had some unexpected pain in my left leg about a third into the run. It started at the back of my leg towards the inside, running from the hip down and sometimes all the way to my foot. It felt like a tendon or something similar. The pain faded for a bit but came back later, and by the last third it was really bothering me. This is a new kind of pain for me, so I’ll be paying close attention during the week and hope to recover before the next run. Honestly, I’m a bit concerned—I’ve never felt this type of pain before.

As for the trail itself, it’s perfect for a training run. The hills aren’t insanely steep, and the terrain is pretty forgiving—even if you don’t have the most rugged trail running shoes. The only caveat is that it’s wide open, so on a hot day you’d be totally exposed to the sun. Luckily, Marco and I enjoyed full cloud cover this time!

Shoe geek out time: I wore my New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 – see picture below of me showing the shoes at the vista point. This model (great review here), often nicknamed the “behemoth” is famous for its extreme shock absorption and plush cushioning. It’s my preferred training shoe—especially while preparing for the 50K trail run I did last October. I love how it looks heavy because of the wide sole, but it actually feels lighter than many other trail shoes. Sadly, it seems New Balance doesn’t make this model anymore, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for their next plush-yet-light trail shoe. Fingers crossed they deliver!

Looking Ahead:
I’m excited for run #3, but I need to prioritize recovery and keep an eye on my leg. Each race brings new lessons—about the trails, my gear, and my own resilience.

---

Have you ever run Rancho San Vicente or have favorite trails on AllTrails?
Drop a comment below, and let’s keep this challenge rolling—52 races at 52, one adventure at a time!