Winter Trail Run Series 18K Story - February 4, 2012G’Day to one and all. So where do we start, bloody hard when so many good things happen at once, or just in one day. No I didn’t win the lottery, find 20 bucks on the trail, and didn’t get lucky either, oh no. But I did get to have a magic morning in the woods up at Blue Jay with a bunch of mates…. PLUS that same day, I did get to meet the one and only Paul Williams. Some might say who the hell is he, a famous runner? Oh no, he in my humble opinion, is the greatest love song writer ever…. Big statement I know, but to those who know his work as a singer, piano player and actor would rate him very high above most in an industry which I used to be in many, many yonks’ ago. I got invited to a rock and roll bash up in Costa Mesa… My old friend Greg Topper was celebrating 50 years of being an OC musical entertainer extraordinaire. There were drinks, of course, and my singing ability did rise to the occasion … along with 2 or 300 hundred older old people. He was a nice humble man, much like myself! OK back to the race. Me mate Bob and I opened the gate just after 6, a nice, but a little chilly breeze was blowing as we were emptying the Ford Truck… my MH stays in its cell if the weather is going to be nice…. As it was! My 4 “over the hill” support team arrived to help and prepare the staging area. Bill and Sands were in position when the first runners arrived to check-in around 6:50, by then, the sun was popping through the trees from the east. Obviously it is going to be a magic day! Smaller group than the first 2 series races, due to one of those street events to be run the next day up in HB. Hey the 70 plus runners that gathered at the start didn’t seem to give a shit, quite right I say. Miz Barton gave the appropriate words and the run was on. By the way it was noticed certain front runners where not in the line-up, their loss! A happy band of athletes screamed their way out of Blue Jay onto the magic trails. Again we had a few first- timers, little did we know a couple and I mean a connected couple would be the overall winners in both male and female. Bearded Greg Friedman and non-bearded Amy Friedman came all the way from Lafayette, Colorado to upset the locals. One hour eighteen minutes and twenty seconds was the winning time and on that course would be close to a record… must check the stats. Good mate and a real local, Mark Donaldson came in second, less than 4 minutes behind Greg. Mark seems to be always a bridesmaid… hope my 48 year old doesn’t give up trying. Third place overall was another good mate Stephen Lind, unfortunately Steve never gets a chance to hang around for the awards, but was happy with his plaque. Me mate Rick was hoping to do better, but a stomach bug got him - from his wife’s cooking maybe? Amy Friedman came in 5th over-all… really happy with her run and fun. Second was lovely Stephanie Smith who won the 15K. Third place my new girl Tracy Rose… she lives in another state, but is returning to OC later this year… we are so lucky. All the award winners did good, but me ole mate Doug Malewicki may be suing me after a terrible fall on the trail… got cut up real bad. His photos tell the story… R rated of course. Hey shit happens when you are not paying attention!!! Doug will be back in 2 weeks, no worries. Must thank Monica for her time helping runners decide on their next running shoe… NB has come a long way and their donation of specialty shirts etc. is magic. Again all the help I receive on race day I am grateful for, especially my little twin girls. They love uncle Baz and all his silliness, hope they don’t grow up to be like me!!!! I do hope I get to see you at the 21K and as many of you know you do have some bigger challenges on the 13 mile course… say no more! Maybe bring a new running friend, you don’t really like!!! There will be an aid station run by my mate Scott at the top of your first hill and you hit it again with just 3 miles to go. Please let me know soon if you are planning on running all the series races cos the next couple of weeks I need to order the series sweat shirts and get them printed.
The series itself is going well and everyone seems to be enjoying their
day in Blue Jay, so I don’t plan on changing anything and who needs to run
with 20,000 people. The final 30K race will be a test for those who run
on really low mileage… but I assure you my smiling loveable face with be
there at the finish line to abuse the shit out of you. I am off to a
Super Bowl Party in Irvine…. Who cares who wins because there will be lots
of red wine.
Love and Happy
Valentines to all me ladies! BIG BAZ XXX
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