As we were running up to Gray's Peak in Big Bear, Jess was telling me about this comedian who was saying the best way to ruin a moment, is to acknowledge how awesome it is (
here's the clip from Pete Holmes if you are interested). I had to keep that in mind for the past week, and I'm tempted to say that the entire week was McDonald's (which would make sense if you watched that clip).
The week started with the trip to Big Bear for an overnighter as training for the JMT, but really it was just another reason to get out to the mountains. We planned a route up to Gray's Peak, then connecting to Hanna Flat campground, then hitting the PCT where we would camp for the night before heading to the Cougar Crest trail, then looping back to town.
The run went great, a little hot, and a little shorter than we anticipated, but that just meant more quality time to sunbathe in camp. In the continuing saga of my water troubles, I set my pack on top of the bite-valve for my bladder, so when I picked up my suddenly much lighter pack, I realized that the liter of water was slowly soaking through the pine needles and into the dirt. Luckily, I had another bottle, and Jess shared some of his water, so no major problems.
That evening, I found a nice rock overlooking a deep valley filled with burnt trees and new growth and watched an amazing sunset.
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| PCT |
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| My room with a view |
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| Gray's Peak Trail |
The day after I returned from Big Bear, I left for a camping trip with my son to Two Harbors on Catalina Island. It was a great overnight trip with a tent overlooking the Pacific, a couple great hikes, kayaking through the harbors, spotting wildlife, swimming in the ocean, s'mores and roasted hot dogs, and hours of searching for the perfect skipping rocks and throwing them side-armed, on the calm, glassy Pacific as the sun set over the hills behind us.
We returned on the ferry and I sat and watched over my dirt-covered, ocean-washed, nappy-headed son with this huge crooked-tooth smile that takes up half his face, as he leaned into the wind and the spray from the boat.
When I got home that night, I packed my bags for Tahoe went to bed early to catch the next day's 6 AM flight to Reno. I met up with Beth, Chad, Treasure, Kara, Joy, James, Brian and Cameron at a humble cabin on the lake. Seriously, this place was beautiful. I judge how nice a place is by how hard it is to work the shower. I'll just say that this place was so nice that I couldn't figure out the shower until the second night, so I had to settle for a bath.
I signed up for the 50K with two main goals: run with my friends, and get some solid altitude training in. So, when the gun went off I quickly got sucked up into a pack and started racing. Looking over my shoulder, I couldn't see Cameron, Treasure or Chad, and after a couple miles, I stopped and waited at a beautiful meadow. I don't remember doing this in a race before, and under different circumstances, I don't think I ever would, but this sense of calm came over me and I knew I was making the right decision to hold back. The rest of the run was amazing, the course, the conversations with friends and other racers, the sweeping views of the lake...it was all just perfect. I was really proud of Treasure who had a really fast finish to take 8th, Brian who ran a perfectly-paced race on very little training and finished 7th in the 100 miler, Chad who pushed through some nutrition issues to finish the 50K, and Cameron who worked through some low points to finish strong in his first 50 miler. Beth, Joy, and Kara were amazing support to all of us, and it was just a great race experience. I don't generally like to do the same race twice, but I can say for certain that I'll be back in Tahoe.
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| Race morning |
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| Finishing with Treasure |
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| I only added this one because it is rare that I look this manly |
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| Our humble cabin |
The best part of the week, though, was waking up yesterday morning to long hugs and the sweet smell of my kids' morning breath. It's nice to be back in paradise.
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