June 18, 2022 It poured all night. The rain was gentle against the top of the camper and I slept pretty well once all the campground kids stopped howling and screaming at the night sky. My alarm woke me abruptly at 0530. No more time to waste. Just needed to get the simple things ready... Continue Reading →
Mount Tam 50K Part 2
November 13, 2021 Signs pointed us to the left and back down again to the next aid station. The road and gravity led us downhill at a run. My body still protested, but at least I had gravity working with me now. The sun now high in the sky and unblocked by trees beamed down... Continue Reading →
Mount Tam 50K Part 1
November 13, 2021 It had been a strange journey to get there. It almost felt like the weight of my 30-year odyssey on this Earth had hung in the balance. The limits of everything that I knew and was comfortable in were changing and I was shifting toward accomplishing a goal that, to me, looked... Continue Reading →
Independence
July 4, 2021 It was supposed to be just Buzz and me, but circumstances out of control brought a third along for the journey on foot. Michael was supposed to be dirt biking not too far away while Buzz and I explored the high elevation wonders of the Sierra. We’ve still only seen such a... Continue Reading →
Short Breath of Solitude
March 20, 2021 Frost covered the ground as I left the western parking lot at Pinnacles National Park. I had no idea how many layers I should be wearing in temperatures like this. It was mostly was due to inexperience in colder temperatures, but also sheer stubbornness against being cold. I was going to get... Continue Reading →
Perpetual State of Becoming
May 15, 2021 Very rarely do I have $8 in cash in my wallet. I took that $8 as a sign that I finally needed to visit the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. I had gone to the park before before but was left dejected without any cash and the entrance gate with a... Continue Reading →
Head in the Clouds
May 22, 2021 “It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” ― Gabriel García Márquez Post Summit. I kept seeing the hike pop up on my feed on Strava of local runners. Sometimes I look to see where they have ran so... Continue Reading →
Race for Open Space – Palo Corona to Mitteldorf Preserve
April 18, 2021 “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth Every step started to feel awful. My insides protesting, my muscles tightening. Am I going to finish this? Can I even make it up this hill? “I’m sorry I signed us up for this,” I heard myself say out... Continue Reading →
The Shadow of the Beast (Part 2)
March 27, 2021 3 weeks later I headed back to the house. I was prepared to help my aunt with the finalization of her packing. This would be her last weekend at the house. I packed my running gear, a new lightweight jacket, gloves, headlamp, water bottles, vest, and snacks. I planned a route based... Continue Reading →
The Shadow of the Beast (Part 1)
March 6, 2021 The shadow always loomed large, but I never seemed to notice it before. It’s almost like I now see mountains differently than I did before. Like I did not notice them or just thought they were a nice backdrop in an ever changing landscape. Now I look at them and wonder if... Continue Reading →