The weather could not have been better. And the company was just as good. I had a fabulous run at Catalina this year. Much fun with friends and I even crashed a birthday party.
It's a funny thing what you learn out there on the trail while you are sharing time with friends and sometimes even strangers. I never come away from a race without learning something positive and that impacts me for the better in some way.
On this particular run I got to share some very special miles with Tom Crowl. He is a runner from Texas that I have run with in the past. What a pleasant guy he is. He told me of a mutual friend that I will not name because I think that he may be the humble type, who gave Tom one of his AC buckles when Tom learned that he had cancer. Tom has a dream of running AC and finishing that race and giving his buckle back to the man that gave it to him.
And what about this Rob Mc Nucklhead guy??? (name has been changed to protect the innocent whoever they may be). So as I was running my heart out, along came from behind a band of merry men. One of them I knew and I call him #1. Why? Because I often see him wearing #1 on his bib... yes he is that fast. I asked him what he was doing back here (meaning in the back with the likes of me) and he told me that he was running with his buddies on this day to celebrate his friends 50th birthday. How appropriate to get to run 50 miles on your 50th birthday. I thought that was pretty amazing and very kind. You see, #1 had a good shot of winning on this particular day but he chose to hang back with his friends and to celebrate with them. what a wonderful experience I had as I invited myself to the party and got to be "one of the guys" for the day. Thank you very much Randy for letting me be a part of your special day. It was awesome and I had so much fun with you and Bino and Rob. It made the miles easy and having fun and getting to meet nice people is what it is all about for me.
Here is my journey in pictures...
It's a funny thing what you learn out there on the trail while you are sharing time with friends and sometimes even strangers. I never come away from a race without learning something positive and that impacts me for the better in some way.
On this particular run I got to share some very special miles with Tom Crowl. He is a runner from Texas that I have run with in the past. What a pleasant guy he is. He told me of a mutual friend that I will not name because I think that he may be the humble type, who gave Tom one of his AC buckles when Tom learned that he had cancer. Tom has a dream of running AC and finishing that race and giving his buckle back to the man that gave it to him.
And what about this Rob Mc Nucklhead guy??? (name has been changed to protect the innocent whoever they may be). So as I was running my heart out, along came from behind a band of merry men. One of them I knew and I call him #1. Why? Because I often see him wearing #1 on his bib... yes he is that fast. I asked him what he was doing back here (meaning in the back with the likes of me) and he told me that he was running with his buddies on this day to celebrate his friends 50th birthday. How appropriate to get to run 50 miles on your 50th birthday. I thought that was pretty amazing and very kind. You see, #1 had a good shot of winning on this particular day but he chose to hang back with his friends and to celebrate with them. what a wonderful experience I had as I invited myself to the party and got to be "one of the guys" for the day. Thank you very much Randy for letting me be a part of your special day. It was awesome and I had so much fun with you and Bino and Rob. It made the miles easy and having fun and getting to meet nice people is what it is all about for me.
Here is my journey in pictures...
5:00 am start as George and I get ready to go.
My friend Jennifer just as the sun came up. I first met Jennifer at this very race four years ago when we were each running our very first 50 miles.
Alexa is finding out what it takes to be an ultra runner. Here she is looking good but hurting. She has been having trouble with her knee.
Bino and Rob finding their MoJo
Looks like BFF chell'b found hers. She was the first female.
Ashley hits a low spot and has trouble with her hip. Still she manages to pull off an amazing third place finish. Way to go Ash!
Greg is fast today, finishing 10th I believe. WOW!
Kirk is having a great day. looking good Kirk!
George's friend Frank has an easy run after running in Antarctica just a few months back.
Here I am with Don who I spent time with four years ago as we were running here our first time. Great to see you again!
Here I get a picture with the party animals Randy and Bino. Look, Randy is actually still smiling here. At about mile 33 he was not having fun anymore.
At the turn around with the sunny Miss Jennifer
Go! Randy Go!
Here come Hwa Ja coming up to the turn around. At 68, she is so amazing!
The water was gorgeous!
Alexa may be down but not out. She will be back. 21 years old and an ultra runner. Don't see that very often. You are very special Alexa.
Look who I found.
Had to get a picture by the sign. It's tradition.
Did I mention that the water was beautiful!?
Summer is making her way to the finish. She had a very successful run at ATY over New Years.
The finish is in sight. A view on the way down the hill at about mile 49. Just awesome!
Alexa waited to cheer in her friends. What a champ. Here with Jennifer.
Happy Happy Birthday Randy!
Randy finishes in style with his adorable family to cheer him in.
Here he is with is son.
Randy finishes in style with his adorable family to cheer him in.
Here he is with is son.
Yes, it was a fun day! Great people, touching stories and new friends to share a journey with. I loved spending time with Jennifer and Tom and Alexa. And of course the Party Animals... Bino, Randy and Rod. Hey, has anyone seen George.....
Good-Bye Catalina. Hope to be back again. LC
3 comments:
good to see you out there my friend-what a beautiful day,beautiful course ,beautiful friends,,,,,have a great 09 season..pokey
WOW another amazing adventure to add to your list...congrats and love the pics.
Call me when u get a chance so we can catch up!!
Pokey, looking forward to running with you tomorrow!
``````````````````````````````````````
BOB, been so busy with work, i will call for sure.
Post a Comment