Big Baz WTRS Volunteer

Okay, now I’m really, really tired.  My husband said that I was running in my sleep last night, working up a sweat even, and that I was saying something about distance, something like “that’s not a speed distance, that’s an endurance distance . . . “  Who knows.  I woke abruptly at 4:30 because zombies were chasing me and I couldn’t find any place else to run! (And these were not the slow-moving zombies of my youth, these were the modern fast-moving zombies!)

Phew!  I was tired before the day began.  Then at 6:00 AM, I drove up to Blue Jay Campground in the Cleveland National Forest to volunteer for Big Baz’s first Winter Trail Run Series of 2012.  Usually I’m jealous when I see other people running and I’m not.  This morning, I have to say that I was so glad that I was not running this race.  I just didn’t have it in me.  But I did have it in me to talk with the runners, to greet people I knew, and to call out the bib numbers to the time recorders as they approached the finish line.  I recognized so many runners.  Some of them I knew.  Others I knew only by face.  And others I recognized them as having passed me in one or two races. 

I had a blast.  I would definitely do this more often if it didn’t take up so much time of the day.

Setting up before the runners arrive:

Runners begin to show:  Far left is John (he’s one of the sweepers running down Hank and me in Twin Peaks), to the right of him, Steve Harvey.  And the guy hugging the lady, Big Baz.  He got lots of hugs in today.

Lining up on a cold morning for check-in and bibs:

Baz entertaining the runners:

A guy in the pink skirt always gets all the attention LOL:

Chris Diaz brings out the WHOLE family.  Go Diaz clan!:

Baz gives race instructions:

New Balance Rep. (sorry I forgot your name) gives runners the “run down” on the new line:

And they’re off:

Recording finishing times:

New Balance Rep and John:

First Place!!

Top 6 placers, there was silence for a while after these guys came in:

Prepping snacks:

Steve Harvey makes his way to the finish line:

Waiting for Big Baz’s raffle and his overall fun theatrics:

Me and Rich Merritt (who ran the race, but my picture of him approaching the finish came out blurred :

On my way home, I pulled over to put in a little over a mile run on San Juan Trail to continue my streak.  Day 19 (yikes!):

View from San Juan Trail:

Big Baz WTRS 21k

Rain poured down upon us all night, waking me every couple of hours.  I said out loud, “Boy am I in trouble.”

2:55 AM, I lay in bed, wide awake.  Finally, I made it out to the couch where I slept until 5:45.  Thankfully, the rain had ceased.  First thing I did (after brewing coffee) was check weather.com.  The website reported rain all day, except for partly cloudy skies between 8:00 AM and noon.  Exactly what I needed.

I will try to make a long story short (because I did after all, make a video).  The weather was cold in Blue Jay Campground.  Runners bundled up in winter running gear.  I couldn’t decide:  wear or pack?  After much debate, I finally decided to pack warmth in my hydration pack, because I figured I would rather put on than take off during the race.

I saw quite a few running friends, and some running friends were absent.  I was especially happy to see Lori, whom I haven’t seen in so long (unfortunately, the photo I snapped of us, didn’t turn out, but she’s the girl wearing back in front of me in a portion of the video).

Oh yes, I wrote that I’d make this short.  Well, in short, Horse Thief Trail was hell.  PURE HELL.  I kept up pretty well with “my” group up until nearly the top of that trail.  My energy temporarily drained, that’s when I lost them.  I was utterly wiped out at the top of Horse Thief that I had to stop at the aid station there.  The guys at the station asked how I liked Horse Thief.  I told them, I didn’t much like it at all (though the views were gorgeous.)  The ranger said I had just missed the snow flurries (bummer) as I stood there gulping down their cold, cold water.  I got brain freeze drinking their supply before taking off again. 

I can’t tell you the relief I felt passing the last aid station with only 2.5 miles remaining.  I was quite cold, but didn’t want to stop to take out a warm shirt.  I thought to myself, just easy-going from here (mistake – never think that!)  And then out of the corner of my eyes, I saw her!  There was a woman gaining on me.  And behind her, another woman.  Where did they come from?  I hadn’t seen anyone for a long time.

“SH**!” I said.  And I had enough energy to kick it in, keeping my pace at around a 9 minute mile for the remainder of the way.  My motivation:  I had already accepted my place in the race.  (Races with about 100 runners, basically all trail races, I have a pretty good idea how many runners are behind me).  Anyway, if these two women passed me, or even one of them, well – heck, I suppose I don’t have to explain.  I was a little disappointed for lollygagging it back when I was all by myself.  

Well, I made sure the two women didn’t pass me by focusing hard on the trail (didn’t want to fall) and focusing on the garmin.  And I crossed the finish line smiling.

Conserving Energy Going Up San Juan Trail

Going Up Horse Thief Trail

Aid at Top of Horse Thief

Lake Elsinore View from Main Divide

Baz’s Raffle

Elevation Profile:  + 3051 ft. & Video Below

Cleveland National Forest

Upon reaching home, it pretty much rained the remainder of the day.

p.s.  I kept up with my target a good long while, almost to the top of Horse Thief, then he took off like a thief in the night!