Hit the road Kel!

Yet another night with minimal sleep, spent most of the time till 3 coughing (can't believe one cold can last this long must be something about me & American air). Headed down to Hertz to pick up a car, suppose i was a little disappointed the cheapest one was a Toyota Corolla (was looking forward to a flash US made one they do make good looking vehicles), still as long as it gets me there. Hopped on the hotel internet as i thought i'd better make some bookings for the next couple of days. Pretty easy plans Hwy 49 all the way to Yosemite, driving on the 'wrong' side of the road was surprisingly natural. Lunch of chili dog & shake at a real Diner at San Andreas reminded me just how warm it was (96 degrees). Wouldn't be the same without one navigational error which i didn't realise till i was 20 miles out of my way meaning peak hour through downtown Merced, thankfully by 6 i'd hit Mariposa (40 miles from Yosemite) where i'd booked a room. Fascinating old town with massive mountains in the distance (something to look forward to the next day), shame the motel pool was condemned as still well over 90!. Been a great day, the countryside (in the grip of a drought) very reminiscent of home but higher and without gumtrees). Even managed a better nights sleep (so tired that my cold and the drone of air conditioning couldn't stop me sleeping), certainly i needed it as a big Thursday was planned.

Better days

Having coughed and sniffled my head off on Monday night i'd decided to spend one last day in Auburn. Was feeling a little better (though probably hard to tell from my still hacked voice or my hankies), so thought a day out in the sun (now near 100 degrees) exploring the town was the way to go. Was now the last Aussie left with Horrie, Blue Dog, Nic & Ron checking out that morning. A walk around the historic old town (where we had eaten Sunday night) and then to the impressive old courthouse which holds the museum (meaning a metal detector search and frisk just to go to the museum), very worthwhile as there were many pics showing WS checkpoints back when they booming towns. Funny enough the lady at the museum had spent 2000 living in Australia (Mereweather near Newcastle) so was happy to see an Aussie.
By now i had directions to the newer part of town and couldn't resist having a look in 'The Auburn Running Company' a runners dream, did resist the urge to buy but did have a long yarn with the staff. By then it was time to find my way back. On my way back bumped into (for the 4th time today we'd had a chat about the area each time & i'd worked out they were friendly locals enjoying their summer break and were as genuine as they seemed) Pat, Paul & Jill. So ended up going on a tour of the town as only locals could show. We dropped in on Pat's uncle Tom (a Deputy DA i'd seen at the courts earlier very small world) & i got plenty of advice and maps for where to head the next week (looks like the answer was Hwy 49 and Yosemite). Still 90 degrees so couldnt resist an invite to the local swimming hole (The Confluence), a mile walk from a busy parking area and just past under California's highest bridge. A truly magic spot, crystal clear water with incredible reflections (will post pictures on my return words dont do it justice), Paul caught up on his sleep while the 3 of us swum to the other side through the invigorating (and very deep) waters. We then climbed up on to the rocks the locals use as a diving platform (Paul as the local demonstrated, Jill up from SF for her first summer here and i werent quite convinced). We were just happy to lie in the sun and chat and watch the moon rise as well as the noisy, drunken antics of some 'Water people' upstream (one such a dead ringer for Paris Hilton in both looks & lack of class, i thought they'd let her out a day early!). By 9 they had gone (and surprisingly to their credit taken their pile of empties) and it had dropped to 80 degrees, Paul did convince Jill to take her first jump but sore blisters on sharp rocks convinced me to climb back down (just hope they don't think all Aussies are whimps). Didn't swim back quite as easily (tend to head to my right so was halfway down the rapids), but was almost dry by the time we'd made it back to the car. Off to the old town for dinner but being Tuesday night everything was shut (bar the alehouse where dinner started @ $25). So it was off to 'Dennys', was mystified when Jill ordered 'biscuits & gravy' after tasting i'd explain biscuits as a soft damper shaped like a scone as for the gravy can't explain it better than it being a tasty white sauce. I stuck to the very tasty meatloaf. Dropped off at the hotel at 11, very tired but excited about the days ahead (and i'd been shown where the local Hertz is so knew where to begin the next morning).

Aftermath

Firstly the title of todays post does not mean the rest will all have Stones album titles this time it was pure coincidence ! Freely admit i was gutted to DNF, refuse to use my health as an excuse and can only think of it as a failure (at least that proves to me i still think as a racer - a positive thought). Off to a Mexican restaurant in Old Auburn with most of the gang and after many Margaritas (needed to wash down the hot food & corn chips :-)) was at least in a better state of mind. At least 3 or so hours of sleep but still coughing and sniffling my head off. Next morning it was breakfast at the hotel with Richard & Robert & family who were heading off straight after. Strange breakfast as no cereal offered at all!. Better news i did find the second part of my camera charger so finally i could take pictures again, downside i discovered i needed some software (that i have at home) to download my 7 minutes of pre race & race video (kindly taken by our own Spielberg Vegie-girl, thanks Lis !) so that will have to wait till i return. Various people left and continued on their journeys, meaning most of the day was spent saying goodbye to a passing parade as us people staying (Horrie & family, Blue Dog & Bernie, Nic & Damien) spent the day finally enjoying a relaxing day by (and in) the pool, lots of talking, some food & a few beers sitting around under a hot sun finally felt i was on holidays (albeit still with a damned cold). So relaxed in fact that when i went back to my room for a lie down before dinner (at 7) i didnt wake up till 11, meant i needed to sample the cuisine of the "In'n'Out" burger next door (actually better than i expected).

Not always happy endings

Heaps of group pictures followed by more pasta at Madigans, then i realised that i still hadnt got some cheap sunglasses to run in so off to the Chevron servo. After yet another night without sleep went surprisingly confidently into todays race, was really looking forward to escaping the hype and actually running. Well i'll be short and sweet (longer report to follow later) went out conservatively as i knew the cold would make it hard, all was good until Last Chance where i was told i was 8 pounds over my starting weight and was held and fed the appropriate foods as well as getting some blisters fixed. Was told to walk rather than run as basically hard running and my cold were too much in combination for my body to work properly. By Devils Thumb this was up to 10 pounds but at least my blood pressure and pulse were good so i was encouraged to go on. By Michigan Bluff was nine pounds but the doctor was a little wary and gave me a blood test that was then the end of my race, a helluva long way to come for my second ever dnf and only 55.7 miles into it. Otherwise a great day for the Aussies, 6 under 24 hrs including Martin Fryer's 21st place with 21 odd hours. As i type with an hour to go there is only one left, Bill, to finish.

Just over 12 hours to go

Interesting night across the road at Madigan's Diner with some of the others (Blue Dog and Bernie, Horrie and family, Richard, Brendan and Ron), ordered Ravioli and was given Pasta Rustica which i thought must have been the local equivalent until the ravioli came , meaning that i was eating Ron's meal, as well as getting Orange Soda as opposed to the Orange Juice i ordered and to top it off then there was one extra order of Apple Pie (which i proceeded to polish off). Good food and very filling but shame about the mix ups.
Another night spent trying to get to sleep and again putting a wet face washer over my forehead to stay cool around 3 so much time to worry about the run ahead.
Today was race check in, so back to Squaw Valley again, little bit of drama as the hotel lost electricity for an hour or so, because of a fallen tree and eventually me & Richard got a lift there with the only Aussies still there Paul & Diane. Amazing goodie bags, jumper, shirt, water bottle, mug and heaps of knick knacks as well as our medical. Well i guess i passed:
Weight 141 LBS
Blood Pressure 120/63
Pulse 67
which is now on my wristband. After dropping of the drop bags and a quick feed (some smoothie which had so many vitamins surely it would fix me up), it was off to the race briefing where we got to meet some of the luminaries of the race.
After i got to catch up with Jim Rudig from last years Trans Gaule as well as finally seeing Bill Thompson and Carol La Plante and Phil.
Now for a rest !!

A little better

Here i am a little over 12 Hours since my last blog
update and things are a little brighter. After
returning to bed at 4 thankfully slept till 9:20 and
woke without the sore throat but still with a pretty
hacked voice. Breakfast with a number of the Aussies,
and made sure i had plenty of orange juice.
Today is pretty much the ceremonial start to Western
States with a flag raising on Immigrant Pass at
Midday, so decided to get a lift from Tam's husband
Steven so me, Ron, Nic & Richard fitted easily into
their 7 seater (Tam possibly wisely deciding not to
go).
As the rest looked around the WS Store i thought i may
as well head up via the trail (same way as the race)
as it would give me a better idea as to whether i was
physically capable (reckon when writing the last blog
i was a guaranteed non starter was an absolute mess).
Certainly feeling the effects of ill health i had my
jumper on the whole way up which was a little strange
compared to the US runners i was walking with in
running gear.
Finally got there in something like 70 minutes and
caught up with many of the other Aussies (including
David Eadie who was staying with his wife in the other
motel), some who had walked up earlier and some who
had taken the Cable Car.
Very windy up top so spent lot's of time staying in
the shade of others, but was quite a nice ceremony
although god knows how anyone took my croaky rendition
of "America the Beatiful" which we all sang along too.
Walked back to the Cable Car with Martin, Di (MRX &
99), Lis (Vegie), Nic (Prewannabee), Ian (Glassman)
and David (Chefs on The Run) and decided it would be
wiser to take the cable car down with them.
Was certainly worth it, awesome view (although you'd
swear we were going to crash into the pylons), took
some pictures with the phone (as i still haven't
sorted a charger for the camera), but unfortunately
not able to upload on this Hotel computer (no java
means i'm emailing my blog in via Yahoo Mail from the
pc as it doesn't work with blogger).
Was happy to get a lift back with Martin, Di, Lis &
Ian so giving me an afternoon to rest, though still
needed to head over the road to the nearest diner for
lunch (good old fashioned burger washed down with a
Coors).
Ever since have been resting, i'd like to think there
is now a now a light at the end of the tunnel that my
health has made this trip so far.

Damned Colds

Here i am typing this at 3:15 AM local time, unable to
sleep as simply my cold is making it impossible, far
from ideal at this late a date.
Finally back at my hotel 4:30 Yesterday and later on
go for a walk down to Fisherman's Wharf, looked at
getting a bus to Truckee, however spoke to Robert
Boyce and he reckoned he could fit both me and Ron in.
Big dinner in Chinatown, as we caught up with Horrie
and his wife Belinda and son Tim as well as Robert and
his family. Later went back to Robert's room and it
looked as though his car would hold six (and had a
massive boot). Again feeling very drained and the
throat feeling like it was cut giving me another very
ordinary nights sleep (again a walk around the block
at 3 as was simply too hot).
Wake up this morning still feeling ordinary (shame
that you have to run the shower for 5 minutes before
the water turns hot - reckon you'd be shot for that
back home), and then off to Roberts to leave at around
9, was sort of expecting wall to wall McDonalds etc
along the highway and was surprised to find that
servoes and food places all tend to be on turnoffs
rather than on the side of the road like the Aussie
ones. Certainly interesting going over the double
decker Bay Bridge to Oakland and once we'd passed
Sacramento was really the open road (just can't
believe the size of the PickUps and Caravans), went
near Auburn (the finish of Western States), and 3 1/2
Hours later had made it to Truckee (interesting the
address is 10527 Coldstream considering there are only
5 buildings in the street) and the very luxurious
Holiday Inn.
Caught up with Blue Dog & Bernie as we checked in and
was offered a lift to Squaw Valley for the session for
novice WS runners, as well as shopping at the
Exhibition (what don't they have with Western States
on it ??). Here we caught up with Lis and the Mellum
Mob (who'd drove up the previous day), Brendan, Martin
& Di as well as Horrie and family who had flown up
from SF. Pretty much shopped till it closed and we
made plans to eat at a local Pasta Place.
By the time we came back Ian Javes, Tam & Steven, Nic,
Richard and Paul and Diane were there as well so the
Aussie contingent was looking impressive.
Off hand we had 22 for dinner, great food and
thankfully big serves as i hadn't got around to lunch,
but frankly my health was deteriorating rapidly,
barely any voice left (possibly a blessing to many)
and switching seamlessly between hot and cold, far
from ideal (and now simply unable to sleep).
Just hope that once i finish this i can sleep a
little, go back and do so more things at Squaw Valley
and then just sleep the rest of the day otherwise i've
got a helluva lot of problems, if you were to ask me
now you'd reckon i'd come all this way for a DNS !!.
One small problem for me (nothing compared to my
health though), realise i only took one of the two
cables needed to recharge my camera, so have a flat
battery after 60 pictures and only 2 days, who know
what i'll be able to do about that.
Just hope my next update is more positive.