Friends

What trait is most important to you in a friend? That is the question that came up recently at a gathering with friends. I said this Dr. Seuss quote came to my mind, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
I've said some pretty dumb things. Sometimes I'm just trying to be funny and other times it's knee jerk reactions. Many times it's just who I am. Those who may not agree with my thoughts but forgive me and stick around are friends worth keeping. I like to think that I also look beyond a friends comments or thoughts I may not agree with. If I feel they are truly genuine sincere caring human beings, they are and will always be my friends.
Speaking of friends. My friend Tony up in Colorado sent me an email a couple of months ago and suggested I run a half marathon near his home. He's registered. At 2800 feet of elevation gain, The half marathon is billed as the toughest race in the Rocky Mountain front range. For the past two years I have gone up to Colorado to run a 50 miler and a 50k. I fly in, crash at Tony's, run MY race and head back home. This time I am VISITING with Tony, running with him, and visiting some more before I return home. He's my friend. Best part of it is my niece Adrie, Tony's niece from the other side of her family, is coming with me. I leave all the traveling arrangements and hassles to her!
But up next is the Nueces 50 miler. I crammed all my serious training into the last two weeks. last week I ran 45 miles. this week I hope to get near 20. It's taper time. My old knees have been creaking but I think I'll be OK. At work today I walked up and down two flights of stairs about ten times. That's good training!
A question we did not get to address at our gathering, "If you live to be 100, would you rather have a sound mind or a fit body?"

I'm Young! In my mind.

Today I heard something very interesting, Mike Greer's 11 points of healthy ageless living.
Besides the obvious eat well and exercise points, what I found interesting was the advice to not hold grudges. I agree wholeheartedly. To harbor Ill feelings towards another person, no matter what the reason may be, only eats at us inside. It is better to let it go. No matter if "they drew first blood" Rambo.
We don't know what goes on in another's mind. What their story is. Everybody has a story.
My mother in Law put it best, "Every person is a different world."
The other point I agree with, and what helps me is to be part of something bigger than yourself. Belong to a social group or network. I manage our running groups email list. Sometimes it is over whelming but I make people happy by including them and it makes me smile. I smile when I meet new people and interact with these folks.
The point that I liked most was the "Mythical age." If you didn't know when you were born what would you say is your age?
I often tell people I feel I am 16!
Forget all that nonsense about getting old I've written about. I'm 16!

Love

"Se tienen que conocer mijo." That is what my mother would say to me in regards to knowing and staying in contact with family. "you have to get to know each other son."
My mom is one of 13 siblings! They were a very close and loving family. Their parents, my grandparents, were very loving. That love was passed on down to all in the family. We have always been a family that shares genuine hugs and kisses. But with such a large family it can be difficult to know everyone and stay in touch. "You have to try." Mom would say.
I remember my cousin Angie visiting us when she was about six years old and I was twelve. She was cute and had a funny west Texas accent. My mom's little sister Hope (Angie's mom) and her family live in Denver City Texas, way out in the Texas panhandle. Needless to say, we did not see them too often.
Many years passed before I saw Angie again. It was as adults 32 years later at my mom's funeral. As we said goodbye after the funeral, I said to Angie, "we need to stay in touch and get together." Another cousin said, "Yeah, that's what we all say, but it never happens." I vowed to make sure it would happen. It has. I call Angie now and then. Angie drives through San Antonio on her way to visit her Mom and every time she is in the area we get together.
This past weekend I visited with Angie at her home north of Houston,  I was in the east Texas area to help at the Rocky Raccoon 50 mile trail run at Huntsville State park.
As much as I love running trail races, I also love supporting friends and fellow trail runners reach their trail running goals.  I also enjoy hanging out with trail runner friends who enjoy the same. Sharing hugs, kisses, and love. They're  family too.

San Gabriel Mountains revisited

I ran into this report of my first mountain race. written before I started my blog.
Thought you might enjoy it. One thing I left out was how they ran out of water at the finish. It was really hot that day too. I had to settle for canned tea.
I returned to these trail in 2013 when I paced Lalo at Angeles Crest


Mt Disappointment 50K  Endurance RunMt. Wilson, CA
11 August 2007
by Tony Maldonado

It was a cool crisp morning on Mt Wilson in the Angeles National Forest north of L.A. The temperature was 62 degrees with a slight breeze. The beautiful sight of  downtown Los Angeles  down below was short lived  as clouds moved in and blanketed the city. At the starting line I talked to some of the other runners. George from San Diego was attempting his first 50 miler, Mike from Huntington Beach, and  Rennee from Santa Monica were there for the fun. Barefoot Ted was also there. The race began with a 3 mile descent on a paved road before hitting the trails. The southern California area has had only 3 inches of rain all year, thus the trails were dry and dusty. The dust being kicked up by the runners  rivaled the smog of L.A. I was wishing for the mud I had become accustomed to in San Antonio. At mile 4 a runner pulled of to the side holding his right hamstring. I asked if he was OK. He said “yes, it’s only a cramp”. Not a good sign at mile 4. As I reached the first checkpoint I decided not to stop since I felt good and still had enough water. The trail became shady and more wooded at this point. I met another local runner and we talked and paced each other for the next 10 miles. He asked about Sunmart, but lost interest after I told him the course is flat. At the second checkpoint it was time to refill my two bottles and take in some fuel. The first climb followed. Barefoot Ted passed us on the approach to the third checkpoint at the top of the climb. His feet were fine he said, but he was having stomach problems. By this time the temperature had risen and  I was beginning to feel the effects of the heat. Although it was getting hot, there was no humidity. Here in Texas I am reminded to drink by the perspiration caused by our high humidity. With no humidity it is easy to forget to drink.  The trail now became more difficult as it wound around the mountains. There were long stretches where the trail was only about 12 to 18 inches wide with tight switchbacks. It was very dry and Sandy in some parts. I found myself leaning into the mountain side. There were drops of several hundred feet with nothing to hold on to if you were to slide off the trail. A tree about 4 feet in diameter and 40 feet long had fallen across the trail. I watched as runners ahead of me stepped on a knot on the tree and pushed themselves over. Me? I straddled that puppy and slid over to the other side. The trail widened again and ahead some mountain bikers were taking a break. One of them noticed my shirt and yelled out, “ all right Hill Country.” “Are you near Bandera?” “yes” I replied “right down the road”  “great place “ he said. Approaching the fourth checkpoint at mile 21 I was not feeling good. My legs were strong but my heart and lungs were not providing help. Was it poor training? Was it the great L.A. Mexican food I had been eating the past two days? Or was it the elevation? Yeah, that’s it! It’s the elevation. I drank plenty of water, ate peanut butter on crackers, oranges and watermelon. Filled my two bottles and looked forward to the next 5 downhill miles. I found the downhill not as pleasant as I had hoped. Some sections were very steep. Not knowing the trail I was being cautious and my quads and mid back were taking a beating. At 5 hrs 10 min. I had covered 26 miles. Not bad I thought, only five to go.  Little did I know, the last 5 miles would take 2 hrs 14 minutes to complete. At the last checkpoint a runner had decided he had had enough and dropped. Others sat to contemplate the final ascent. 5 miles and 2600 ft to go. Again I drank plenty of water and took in some fuel, filled up my bottles with water and headed out for the final climb to the finish. The climb was gradual for the next two miles, then it seemed to go straight up. Again there were very narrow stretches and tight switchbacks. Now my legs did not want to play anymore. The good thing though was the shade provided by the tall pines. I don’t mind being passed, but it seemed like I was being caught and passed by the whole field. In some spots it was difficult to let runners get by, so I had to move faster than I wanted to. Two runners (walkers at this point) ahead were struggling and were low on water, as was I. The guy with the camelback was completely out! He took a drink from the others bottle. They decided to rest. I couldn’t. I was afraid it would be more difficult to start again. Help was sent to these guys from a finisher who had noticed them struggling. With ? mile to go and the trail still ascending sharply, I ran out of water. A runner/walker passed me and we began talking as he paced me up the mountain. I thanked him as we finally reached the top. But wait! The finish line was still 50 yards up to the visitors center. One more climb, just to make sure.