Good and bad news

Well at last i got the test results today, if i am to believe all the blood tests i'm so fit it isn't funny, which considering how i feel with the lingering cold is bit of a joke. However another problem that i was having and was tested for came up with inconclusive results so it's off to a specialist Monday, the saga continues. Looks like a weekend of rest, which probably isn't a bad thing but if i'm honest times ticking away regarding some of those overseas races so i'm getting a little impatient !!.

Mystery illnesses and similar stuff

Maybe one day i will regret the description of me as "Indestructible" in this months Run For Your Life Magazine.
After being pretty much at my peak fitness wise at Great Ocean Road Marathon and Tamborine Trek, i've proved yet again it's only a small step between being very fit and not being well. The cold i had after the Gold Coast 100K's followed by it's recurrence before and during should have given me a hint that my body was struggling a little. From the moment i stepped off the plane last Thursday (12th July), i've been battling with a sore throat and only just staving off another cold (not helped by the damned Melbourne weather), after about a week of this i really could no longer blame it on jetlag, so yesterday went in for a full medical (as needed for one of the runs listed in my last post so i thought of this as well when making my appointment). Won't get the results until Wednesday, i'd hope they all come through with flying colours but after my "mystery results" at the medical check which meant i was pulled at Michigan Bluff i would much prefer to know any thing that is actually wrong with me. So watch this space, i'll definitely have answers Wednesday (and possibly Tuesday night) so at the present am pretty much out of action running wise, although it is at least giving me time to plan ahead race wise.

Not the end - yet !

Since my return to Australia have been asked by a number of people whether that rather indecisive last post was the end. It was more the "watch this space" post, at the moment i'm unable to load pictures to flesh out my posts (and give an idea of what i was rambling on about), as simply the cable is in storage at Grace Brothers and rather expensive to get out :-(.
Since returning the house auction has been and gone, certainly that surpassed even my wildest dreams was very thankful i was there otherwise if i'd have been told those details over the phone i would have thought someone was having a lend of me.
This also means i have a definite settlement time meaning that if i want to do some more races overseas i can before resettling down to a normal suburban existence.
Guess that's the main reason for keeping this blog in action as if i head back overseas i should at least having something half interesting to record.
First inclination is to do http://www.yanoo.net/index.php4?cat=12&id=350 Trans Gaule again, as soon as i finished last year i was convinced that with what i had learnt that if i did it again i could take %10 off my previous time. Certainly for the last few months it has been a very serious thought (probably moreso than Western States was for quite a while), particularly when i consider that the Rolling Stones European Tour will still be on the same time (unfortunately the timing of their French concert doesn't work however i've been in touch with some other fans i know in nearby destinations so yes a concert is part of my plan).
At present the Trans Gaule field is full, however i have been offered a spot as we'd had this discussion before so in theory this is all systems go.
But as i sit here with a calf strain (not sure if i didn't stretch enough before my 30K on Sunday or just simply the cold) and a cold (pretty simple it's been freezing in Melbourne since my return
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22093199-2862,00.html and i think the change from summer in the US to this has knocked further that evidently struggling immune system of mine - such is my level of fitness usually it's only a small step from ultra fit to sick, not often i step over that line but i think the last 5 weeks i really haven't quite recovered from the first time after the Gold Coast 100K), so am just delaying making that commitment (also simply have a few things i need to cross T's and dot I's with the sale before i leave).
The other inclination, and frankly only one i've had because i enjoyed the US so much and feel that just over 3 weeks there wasn't enough is to go back and do some races there.
I guess part of the thought process on that is that i'm still very peeved (i'm sure i could say something much stronger but i'm relatively calm as i type) that i'm shown on the Western States Website as http://ws100.com/webcast/drops.htm being a drop as being late to cut off. Not happy with that at all, i'd been there for an hour and had been told by the doctor not to go further, personally find that listing as an insult, oops getting mad again !!!.
Anyway i've spoken to a number of race directors about races in the coming months, and these all are possibilities (with the proviso i give myself two weeks to acclimatise beforehand):
http://www.mtdisappointment50k.com/index.shtml Mt Disappointment 50 Miler August 11 as a lead up event for the Angeles Crest 100 Miler http://www.ac100.com/ on September 15 (although at the moment am trying to sort the trail work required for this)
or the other option being
http://www.pctrailruns.com/Headlands_Hundred.htm Headlands Hundred 100 Miler August 11 (very tempting as put on by the same organisers as Angel Island and even better appears to be more low key just like the Aussie events i'm used to).
as well as a couple of other races (one thing about the US definitely not short of Ultra opportunities).
Basically my main criteria being that i'm back a couple of weeks before the Melbourne Marathon (Grand Final isn't an issue as Richmond isn't going to make it from 16th place !!), of course that makes fitting Stones concerts in an issue (i've already worked out where 3 of the US Stones Tribute bands that i know of are in that timespan but nothing beats the real thing and let's face it after 45 years you never know when the last time may truly be the last time so yes i'd still be trying to squeeze in at least on Stones gig). May even get around to see Shari http://www.myspace.com/sharip perform again as her latest dates seem to fit in pretty well with my planned itinerary if i make it there.
So at the moment all is in a planning stage, but very likely this blog may continue for another couple of months assuming that my health improves.

It's almost over (shame i feel so Californian)

Up this morning with a slightly heavy heart, reckon slowly i'd began to feel like a local and today would be my last move before Australia. Couldn't resist taking the drive i'd planned yesterday (or part thereof), typically foggy start but really wanted to get to Stinson Beach. First stop was the campground "Deep Ravine" or some similar name full of great rustic cabins (note to self would love to stay there some time), with Turkey Buzzards soaring overhead. Lovely beach at Stinsons with grey sand (as opposed to our golden sands), very interesting "beach houses" - wait for the pictures - prospects of decent surf (according to locals the surf is often good), but still only 60 degrees would love to be there on a sunny day. Back via Muirs Beach (pretty much the beach below yesterdays Muirs Woods). Then the non eagerly awaited drive back across Golden Gate Bridge to SF. $5 toll but got across surprisingly easy. I'd booked the airport Travelodge with the plan of dropping of my luggage then the car at the airport (and taking the free hotel shuttle tomorrow). Theory good, practice not so, spent 30 minutes getting on the right side of the airport for the exit (don't ever say South Airport Boulevarde to me!), finally checked in and then off to return the car. Found i'd done 1,276 miles (i drove 6 of the 10 days i had it), but of course nothing is that easy was only 2 miles from the hotel but nowhere for us pedestrians to walk back. Logic said take the train to South San Francisco, good idea but nothing familiar so a 2 hour walk till i finally sighted the hotel sign (at least i'd found a Safeway to get stuff for dinner apples & peaches at $0.99 a pound, bread rolls to go with my almost endless supply of sliced meat and a cold beer - can't believe only $1.09 for a 24 oz can of Bud). Now back and having a relaxed dinner, pretty close now to the end of this blog except i will add pictures on my return. Shame there is no internet, haven't had access since Auburn.

I went for a short walk after breakfast !

Above is probably one of the great understatements. Was looking forward to a nice easy day and a drive down to Point Reyes, but thought (being only 9:30) that i'd check out over the freeway and the actual town of Mill Valley. Beautiful town (full of what appeared to be very expensive houses and apartments) all based around a lake. In the distance was a very tempting mountain peak, further i walked closer i got. The actual village reminded me of Lane Cove with bush trails and a country feel. Reach the end of Blithdale St and see a track labelled "Blithdale Summit" so assume that's my peak. As i climb (typically clear and sunny everywhere bar SF itself) i realise that peak is actually another but thankfully when i hit the top i see a track across. Eventually after 4 hours i hit the top (no cap, no water, no sunglasses remember it was only a stroll - so thankful i bothered to take my wallet), luckily there is also a real road up and a car park, visitor centre and most importantly a kiosk. Two gatorades (didn't touch the sides) and i was ready to discover Mt Tamalpais (2,571 feet), incredible views everywhere (bar SF) as well as being a railroad from 1896 to 1930 and turkey buzzards soaring above. Had a few long yarns at the peak (including Stan who's ambition is WS100 2010). After another gatorade i was ready to follow the old railway trail back down. More great trails and views and then on to the intriguing West Point Inn. Finally i hit Muir Woods home of giant Sequioas, very handy as it meant i could look at a map at the info centre there. Now i knew i was 6 miles by road from home. A mile along saw a firetrail looking to head the right way (was not enjoying the busy, skinny sealed road made even worse by the fog rolling in), bad idea as 30 minutes later it came to a dead end. Now i wondered whether i'd be home before dark. Back up and then a very skinny, busy road plunging into the Valley. Finally into town and my first deer sighting (outside Safeway in the main street), finally home at 8 !, exhausted.

Finally a successful US ultra!

At last race day, a 10 minute drive to the ferry terminal ($15 for all day parking :-( ), picked up my number as well as a ferry ticket, now i had an hour to kill. The queue at the coffee shop showed it was the preferred option. Cappucino and a chat with a few runners (only proves some people read this blog) then off to the ferry queue. Dramas for a moment when it looked like there may have been more runners than the 396 allowed on the ferry (there were 4 distances: 9km, 16km, 25km & my 50km). All was right in the end but were now running late and looking at a 9AM start, nice trip but freezing under the fog. Alighted at the terminal (apparently an old immigration stopping point) and then us 50 & 25 k runners were sent off together. First a lap of the lower island (first 5ks on road made me wonder what sort of "trail run" this was) of around 9ks and was starting to awaken that dormant "racing" feeling. Next lap was up mid height, unfortunately still foggy and i was struggling to stay warm. Next lap was up to the heights of Mount Livemore (750 feet ??), very steep up and down some narrow trails. That was the first 25ks (in 1:58), the second 25 being an exact repeat (still meant another 3 times up the 50 odd steps behind the ferry terminal - well over them!!). Had pretty much been running with the same 5 blokes throughout but was feeling stronger the longer the run went so passed in a couple of surges and felt even better. Last lap was getting hard with lots of tourists on the thin trails making it hard to get a good rhythm going as well as the early leader (who i learnt later had lost 12 minutes with a wrong turn) right behind me. On the way down from the top he passed me and stayed just in front from then on. Finally i finished 7th in 4:35 with the winner doing a bit under 4:20, off hand there 40 or so in our distance. Heaps of soup & chili (i was still cold and running with gloves at the end), after was much appreciated. At least the sun was now burning through the fog as we all sat around and traded "running war stories", even met a runner formerly from Broadmeadows. Caught the 4:20 (second last) ferry back and really enjoyed the day (and redeemed myself after Western States as well as being rapt to still have that old "fire in the belly"). I'll happilly do some www.pctrailruns.com runs next time i'm here and would thoroughly recommend these to all.

Finally a run

After heaps of walking in the last couple of weeks thought finally Friday was the time to go for a run and Monterey had a bike/running trail (actually the old railway), straight outside my front door. Very enjoyable to get that old rush out amongst fellow runners and cyclists. It gave me a chance to see all the historic parts of the city, Cannery Row, the aquarium, the bay seals lying on the beach. Back on Hwy 1 with San Francisco next stop. Santa Cruz was next stop, had a great 3 hour walk around this town, first the pier then the Boardwalk (very much like Luna Park and giving the whole place a St Kilda feel). Back on the road, and fleeting sea glimpses. Cappucino and samosas at the quaint village of Half Moon Bay in preparation for an unwelcome Friday arvo drive into the big smoke. Made it across town and over the Golden Gate bridge, now to find a hotel close to the ferry at Tiburon. Tiburon i could only compare Mosman, beatiful area on a lovely bay with flash houses (both booked out hotels were over $300 a night), so worked out that Mill Valley on busy hwy 101 would be my accommodation of choice (even with a fridge and microwave 3 days here was cheaper than Tiburon).