Bushwhacking with John

Sunday December 28th, it was 40 degrees, overcast, and just a little windy. Perfect weather for hitting the trails. John and I compromised and started at 7:30 AM. John being the adventurist suggested we look for the old blue flower trail. This is an old trail at SAR used "back in the day" when SAR was a close kept secret among trail runners and mountain bikers. "Sure, Let's go look for it" I said. The trail head was easy to find, but soon we were walking and looking for cairns (stacks of rocks serving as trail markers). We found them here and there and were on the right track (sometimes). At times we were ducking trees and fighting the brush. It has been very dry and the brush was bare, exposing their stickers and thorns. The Texas hill country is beautiful but there are plants that bite, sting and scratch. We were getting our lower legs cut, scratched and bit! I even suffered a big scratch on my neck! We found a couple of cairns John remembers putting up and we set up one or two also. John apologized for walking more than running, but I assured him it was OK with me. Hey, time on your feet is what counts. After about an hour of searching, and two miles, we found our way out to the main trail leading down to the creek and up the hill to familiar trails. Now we were running. Trail running offers a chance to leave the real world behind if only for a few hours. And running with a trusted friend only adds to the joy. The trails will take your worries away and a friend will too if you ask. What a great way to relieve stress and enjoy the company of a good friend. 8+ miles and 2 1/2 hours of time on our feet and weight off our minds.

I was Santa today!

Four weeks ago I was asked by a co-worker to be Santa for an Elf Louise project, Delivering toys to needy families. After saying yes I thought, "what did I get myself into?"
I had a wonderful time!
We were assigned 10 homes to deliver wrapped toys to. We were also given extra toys just in case. And My co-worker, Letty, took a bicycle to give to a child of our choice. Letty was so enthusiastic! I thought she had to be on some kind of happy pills.
Letty knew all the ropes, so I depended on her. At first I was a little apprehensive, but Letty helped loosen me up and soon I was Ho Ho Ho-ing and having a good time with the kids.
The pretty little girls wanting to hug me melted my heart.
One little boy had a smile that never faded. And he would giggle at every word I spoke.
The Mom's were very appreciative (a couple got real friendly with Santa, lol).
The most touching moment was when we were walking up to one of the homes, a curly haired boy about 6 years old stopped me on the sidewalk to say hello. I shook his hand and talked to him a Little bit. His home was not on our list.
We continued on and visited the next home. As we left, there was the 6 year old again with gifts he wanted to give to me! I was puzzled. His mom came out of the house and said he wanted to give me gifts to take to other children! I felt a lump in my throat and hugged him so hard as I cried and thanked him, telling him what a wonderful young man he was, and how his kindness will make someone very happy. I asked him to please never stop caring for others, and people like him make this a wonderful world.
Letty asked his mom if he needed gifts. She said no. He had gifts for Christmas. Letty then asked if he had a bike. He did not.
"we have to give him the bike" Letty whispered into my ear.
We did! He loved it!
Thank God good people are still coming into this world!
If you ever have a chance to volunteer for a project like this please do. The rewards could be fantastic!
Thanks Letty!

Rocks hurt!

Well, I have finally recovered from the 100 miler, half marathon and Flag Football. Now, I have a quad injury. I was out with Tom, Liza and Kelli on a great run at Government Canyon. I was feeling great and running well when I tripped and fell in what I thought was a grassy spot. I just happened to find a pointed rock to land on with my left upper quad. IT HURT!
I knew I had to keep running. Can't let my muscles get cold. I was running and limping along for a while but had to walk the last 2+ miles of our 12 1/2 miler. The pain was greater going down hill.
I am sure I will be hurting for at least a couple of days. Oh well, that's the way it goes in trail running.
After the run we enjoyed watching some of the du-athlon going on at Roger Soler sports in Helotes.
We were offered some bagels and cream cheese. Yum.