Good Morning.
How lucky can we get at a trail race in the woods? Fish Camp, California really did us proud, the weather was magic, the course and the super aid stations turned out ok, plus 79 finishers did have something to remember. And maybe come back, especially those lovelies from Texas. As for the race itself, getting a bunch of non-considerate runners to listen to the nice RD is always a problem early on a chilly morn, but 10 after 7 we did get started. Previous winner Mr. Lopez arrived just in time to enter with a bunch of his mates in tow, with water bottles too! I gave bib number 1 to me mate Robo, cos he has run all the previous Shadows…. What a mate. My favorite young female starlet trail runner Miss M was raring to go, having come off a series of wins back to back.

The 20Kers enjoyed their day in the sun, as was expected. Having new aid station personnel is always a shot in the dark as to whether they are allowed to come back, but me mates Dekka and M'Doogal did splendidly. Lovely local lass Karen Glendening was at hand early to make sure I did things right with my list of runners. You know she is always last to leave the finish line, she is Magic.

The runners soon warmed up running the first 2-mile hill, then more hills before hitting the first aid at 5 miles… maybe 5.1! McDoogal had suffered a loss already… H20 had spilled from 2 containers on his early morning ride. He nearly panicked. I arrived at Jackson Road aid station just in time to see the first runners coming through on their way to Nelder Grove… Oswaldo was just in front of one of his mates… Mr Clifton was not far behind; carrying no water of course! McNair and young Dobberteen were having a pleasant time with each other… don't take that the wrong way! Miss Barton was leading the lovely ladies and Team Lundy was smiling as they ran through… just running. The Giebel family were not having such a good day… Lovely Patty was suffering with an old war wound and was well taken care of by McDoogal after she turned back at 6 miles… 6.2 actually. Big Mark had knee probs and decided to hoof it back to GM unaided. What a bloke! All the Orange County contingent were having a magic day as they do, including lovely Lorraine Gersitz, shame her better half decided to run short, but hedid get to see those big whooping trees at the third aid station where I had my magic team of dentists and cab driver Chaz, with nippers (kids). They did good as expected, with years and years of experience between them. Oh yes, it was brought to my attention on several occasions that my mileages were out… the mordacity of people. Big Frank B, me mate from Reno was the bloke who opened the wound with his new machine on his wrist while marking the course. I said the RD has the privilege to do what the F …. He wants, his race, his course!!!! Think of the extra pleasure.

Anyway, we move on to the finish line at Green Meadows, the massive crowd were on their toes to see two runners screaming down the last hill onto the final flat 50 meters. What a finish. Handsome Rob thought he had pulled off a miracle by being about 20 minutes back at one point to being able to catch his much younger competitor at the last aid station. With 5 miles of down hill to the finish; Rob loves his down hill. But, Oswaldo wasn't going to let the old man pass him without holding on to his shirttail. They raced down White Chief trail as though their asses were on fire… poor old Huntington Beach flyer was just not able to hold off the younger kid and finished 2 strides back at the finish line. Magic finish. Maybe Rob was saving himself for his marathon the next day in San Diego! Ron Guitierrez came in third 11 minutes back, he really enjoyed his run. Big Dean was not far back to take 4th place overall. Michelle Barton did take a detour on the well-marked course after the Graveyard of the Giants, but managed to hold on to win, again! 11th overall wasn't too bad for the 36 year-old. Second place was half the Lundy team… Diane was still smiling and very happy with her run. 58 year-old Dee Dee Grafius took 3rd, loved the course, her lovely daughter was only a few places back in 28th place overall. Sweet Lips Henson had one of her best runs at Shadow coming in 4th, her husband and bartender John was happy to see her finishing strong. Loves the extra burst at the end! 65 year-old Jerry Wirz did himself proud by winning the tough over 60 division…. All the award winners did good, maybe because of the perfect day.

The School again looked after us, just a magic location; we will reserve the place in the woods for June 7th 2008. Must thank the many volunteers, without them it just wouldn't happen. Montrail did good for us this year, their support in our sport is really great. Sorry about the Raffle… big BAZ got mixed up with all the fun we were having. My good friends at Fleet Feet Laguna Niguel in OC surprised me by sending some nice prizes that were gratefully received by the crowd. The support we get from everyone is magic, ribbons will be retrieved by my Western States entrant John Peterson, he ran good too. Good training for his last few weeks. Must thank those out of state runners, we need more to show off what we have in California. I want to say I do enjoy my day as the RD and when it is over and everyone is home safe, I feel grateful we can have such a good time without sex…. Not everything you know!

On that note, I hope to see you down in San Juan Capistrano on November 10th for the brand new Old Goats 50 miler, plus the tough Saddleback Marathon, same day, more info will be out on the Internet soon. Have a good summer; I will try to stay out of trouble in Australia, got to help my X wife with her pot plants.

Much Love, BAZZA XXXXX
bazhawley@sti.net