Rose Valley 33

This was a very last minute decision for me. Santa Barbara 9 Trails had been closed for a very long time but I was able to snag an entry. What was I thinking....

About two weeks before the race, I watched the fires in Montecito and knew that the race was in trouble. I have to say that Louis and crew did the most excellent job at pulling together what is now known as the Rose Valley 33 Mile Endurance Run. And it was spectacular!

Here is George and Dina waiting for the start. it was brrrrrrrr cold.
I think around 37 degrees.

Two Rock Stars getting ready to Rock n' Roll. Ashley and Kiera.

The first hill was cold. By the time we got to the top, things were warning up. I was in good shape though with the Stimulus Jacket that I won from the kind people at Mountain Hardwear.

The aid stations were phenomenal. Here I am with Mark Wienike at the Gridley Ridge Top aid station. We passed here three times. Scott Jurek was also here for a bit.
Mark made the best grilled cheese sandwiches.!

My friend Andy passing me. I was on the way down and he was coming back up.
Man Andy, you are fast......

And here comes Ashley. How does she run six miles up that hill????

At the Gridley Bottom Aid Station with Chris Scott. He is trying to get me to eat his cheese dip that he made WITH FRISKIES. Chris, i used to eat Friskies all the time when I was a kid so it didn't phase me. LOL

George keeping it honest.

This was a breath taking day on an awesome course.
I will be back here in March for Coyote Two Moons.

I had passed George as I was coming down from this turn around. We had to be able to report what the surprise was that was waiting at the turn around. George asked if I had gone all the way. Can you believe him, thinking that I might have shorted the course. : ) And neither did he because I checked his camera and he had the Santa on it too. Ha!

Bill Cook had just completed the Arizona Ironman one week before in 12 hours. He was feeling it on this day. Still he did an awesome job!

Here I am with Dina. I was able to pass many of my friends three times
during this spoked course. It was really fun.

At last off the hill. I ran the last four miles with Deb who was sweeping. We did the same thing two years ago at 9 Trails. We had so much fun enjoying the gorgeous late afternoon as it turned into evening. I was almost last, George was kind enough to let me finish before him by about two hours or so. Way to go George. Getting it done while rehabbing his hamstring.

Thank you Louis, Mark, Chris, Bill, Deb and so many others that made this event such a success. I really, really enjoyed it! LC