Jacpot Wants To Make A Video Like Daves

Good buddy Dave put a video on his new running Facebook page.  Jacpot saw the video and thought it was really cool and I could see he wanted to make one also so we took some video on our run the next morning.

Here is Dave's video.



And is here is Jacpots

Jacpot Is Still Going Strong

Over the last few months there have been no posts but Jacpot continues to enjoy traveling to the mountains, beach, and running in the hills with me on the weekends.  During the work week things have been a little slow, but we always try to get out for a walk or some play time at the park.  Here are a few pictures from the past few months.

Taking a drive up to Pinecrest Peak in the Jeep.

Arriving at the top, along with Cindy's brother David.

At home playing Where's Orange Monkey.

Enjoying some time at the lake.

 

 Some more play time of Where's Orange Monkey.



Posing for a picture with friends

Hanging out with my favorite neice Emma.

In shock from all the Christmas presents. 

Having fun playing sharades with Frank.

 Runs in the hills on the weekends are always a blast!

 Nap time after runs in the hills are fun too.

Anybody want some extra fur?



Jacpot Hangs Out With Me While My Foot Recovers

Running in the San Diege 100 Mile Endurance Run was a great time

The run did not go as I pictured.  My time was slower than I had hoped, but the unexpected and challenging experiences are what we all are really seeking, and I had plenty.

I had hoped to run under 26 hours, but due to my feet and ankle having a lot of trouble I had to walk in the last 20 miles.  My pacer Teresa started running with me at about mile 72, around midnight.  I have to give Teresa a lot of credit putting up with a struggling and slow person for the last 8 to 10 hours, she never lost her enthusiasm.

 Below are a few pictures taken by wife Cindy who was once again awesome to help support  me before, during, and after this run.  Thanks also to the third person of my crew Steve.

A final thank you to the Lenaway Family, who opened up their home on our way down to San Diego.  We got a good nights sleep and had a blast hanging out with their whole awesome family.  To my surprise the Lenaway Family showed up at the finish line to see me putter in.

  

Jacpot hangs out with me while I ice my feet for a few days after the race.

Cindy, had plenty of down time to go around taking some pictures.

Ready to go at the start of the race.

I think I'm starting to wonder what I am getting myself into.

This is where I got to go running.

This is my favorite picture.  I think it captures how I felt just before the race - calm, but focused.

Arriving at the second Aid Station... I was ahead of my goal time.

Arriving in Aid Station #7 - Feeling tired and hurt feet but still okay.  My time is still pretty good.

I needed a change of socks at #7 (mile 44).  I wore too thin of socks and the blister on my foot was a couple inches in diameter.

Even though I had already run 44 miles and was pretty tired, this is what I enjoy, and was having a good time.

At aid station #10 (mile 72) I still feel pretty good while I have a cup of coffee, and I am still happy with my time.  The struggles begin to really kick in about mile 80. 

My good friend Teresa the pacer did a great job. 

The Lenaways chat with Steve before my arrival.

Arriving at the finish line.

Being congratulated by the race director as I cross the finish line.  193 people started.  131 finished.  I came in 66th.

The Lenaways made this awesome sign.

Jacpot Has Prepared Me The Best He Can For My Run

This Friday I will be leaving  and saying goodbye to Jacpot for the weekend, and I will be running without him.  Jacpot has gone on many runs with me this last year keeping me company as I he motivated me with his enthusiasm (and constant nagging me that he needs exercise) to help me prepare for my 100 mile race.  Unfortunately the race does not allow dogs (Jacpot doesn't get it) and he has to stay home. 

The race is the San Diego 100 Mile Endurance Run and I found out this week that they may be putting live updates of the runners, (or close to live) on their website.  If interested in following my progress (assuming they are able to post it) on the web, on go to:  http://www.sandiego100.com/

The race starts this Saturday June 9th at 7:00 A.M. and they may start posting the runner updates an hour or two after the start.  The link is right below the picture and says "Live Cast Runner Tracking."  I expect the run to take me about 26 hours, but the ultimate goal is to just finish, as you never know what can happen over 100 miles.  A week ago Monday, I injured my foot, therefore I have not run for 2 weeks (YIKES!)  after plenty of rest it is feeling better.  All  I can do is  keep my fingers crossed it will be okay by this Saturday.
After looking at Aid Station times from last year's runners, I have come up with my aid station goal times based on my middle of the pack level, but due to cell phone coverage in the mountains they may not update from all stations.    The rows highlighted in yellow are stations accessible by the crews.  My wife Cindy, and friends Steve and Teresa will be my support crew.  Teresa is going to run part of the course with me as my pacer starting at Aid Staion #11.

I am #99 if they list by bib #

	Aid Station	Miles
#1	Meadows	7.4	No Est.
#2	Red Tail	13.8	9:30	A.M.
#3	Todd's	18.6	10:30	A.M.
#4	Penny Pines #1	23.6	11:35	A.M.
#5	Pine Creek #1	?	No Est.
#6	Pine Creek #2	?	No Est.
#7	Pioneer Mail #1	44	5:30	P.M.
#8	Sunrise #1	51.3	7:00	P.M.
#9	Stonewall Mine	58.9	8:50	P.M.
#10	Paso Picacho	64.2	10:40	P.M.
#11	Sweetwater	72.3	12:40	A.M.
#12	Sunrise #2	80.3	2:45	A.M.
#13	Pioneer Mail #2	87.5	4:55	A.M.
#14	Penny Pines #2	91.5	6:20	A.M.
#15	Rat Hole	96.3	7:40	A.M.
	Finish	100	8:50	A.M.

Jacpot Has a Super Morning during a Super Moon

Even though I headed out for a run in the hills this morning around 4:30 I didn't need my headlamp much with the bright Super Moon. 

Recently on weekends, after I get in some good miles in the dark, Cindy drops off Jacpot around 6:00 a.m. at a point along my run. Jacpot and I then run along the ridges, and watch the sunrise together.  This morning I thought I would try taking a little video.  Sorry about the shaky filming, apparently I need to practice more often with my iPhone.

Jacpot Plays With Snakes

It's been quite a while since I have posted about Jacpot's adventures and now all of a sudden he is playing with snakes?!!!  Perhaps, play is not accurate.  Today Cindy, myself, and Jacpot went to snake avoidance class.  Since Jacpot and I do a fair amount of running in the hills, rattlesnakes is always a concern.  Granted we run in the mornings when snakes are usually not out, but it never hurts to be safe. Jacpot receives a shot each year that acts as a vaccine if he were to ever be bit, but it is not 100% foolproof. 

At this clinic, they start out by putting a shock collar on Jacpot in order to give him an adverse reaction when he sees a snake.  At first, the handler walked Jacpot over to an  area where a rattlesnake that has been milked of all venom and wears a muzzle.  Cindy and I watched from about 100 yards away as we saw Jacpot pointing his muzzle down to get a smell of the snake.  The next thing we see is Jacpot launching himself into the air about 6 feet straight up.  You would have thought I too was standing next to the snake, because I immediately let out a scream like a 12 year old girl. 

The folks at the training were very thorough, taking him from station to station working on sight, sound, and smell avoidance.  Jacpot learned very quickly that he is to have nothing to do with snakes.  Later, they had me get involved with Jacpot and work with him as well around the snakes... this time I didn't scream like a girl, I promise.


 Jacpot is learning
 that he wants
 nothing to do
with snakes.



It looks like I am
 dragging Jacpot but
as I walk
 past the snake he is
putting on the brakes
 and saying no...
 I soon after turned
around and returned
to safety and praised him.

Jacpot Happy To Return To Cold Springs

It is good to back in the mountains, but disappointing there is no snow. The upside is Jacpot and I were able to run a couple of laps around Pinecrest Lake today.

Afterwards Jacpot wanted to take a picture and say... Merry Christmas!!

It's All About The Beach

We originally were headed to Morro Bay this last weekend for the Whites, Hursts, and Jensens to participate in a run in Montana De Oro in Los Osos, CA. Dogs were not allowed at the run and this meant Scruffy and Jacpot would be left back at the cabin in Morro Bay while we spent the day enjoying the beautiful outdoors. The race was cancelled and the dogs couldn't have been happier.

Frank and Piper (dalmatian) also came over to visit from Pismo Beach. We all spent the majority of the time running and playing on the beach and meeting new friends (like Chewy the St. Bernard). Sometimes a change of plans can be a good thing.....


Piper wasn't sure if he was being chased by a dog or a horse.

Post Summer Shock

I must be in shock, the temperature is expected to reach 104 degrees today here in Palmdale, yet it feels like summer is a distant memory. I have been back to work for three weeks and I am just getting over the shock of not having my early morning runs around the lake.

On a side note, Jacpot was placed on a dog magazines website for smiling dogs. Click here and scroll through the dogs to find Jacpot.


Thank you to all family and friends that visited the cabin, and of course Niece Emma lit up the place like she does anywhere she goes. I could write about the trips to Sonora Pass, Cleo's Bath (some said Jacpot couldn't make the steep rock climb but he proved them wrong), God's Bath (Jacpot could have made it, but the task proved too difficult for us... at least we made it to Cherry Lake) and others, but the swimming pool calls my name, and anyone reading this has their own adventures to go on.

Speaking of adventures if you want a good book to read please read my friend Jeff Mitchell's book "Lost In The Shelikof". Jeff wrote this book based on a true story in Alaska all while being a full time school teacher. Go here to purchase the book. Both Cindy and I have read the book and thought it was great, and no you can't borrow it... go buy your own and support Jeff.













Cindy tries to take pictures at Fahey's cabin, but her new friend kept getting in her way.












Jacpot and Cindy enjoy the waterfall after a hike up Herring Creek.











Eric and Cherie on a hike around Pinecrest. Cherie says I walk too fast.














Emma and Grandpa










Jacpot was in a bit of shock as well, as we left to go home.

A Sunrise Isn't A Gift If You Aren't There To Receive It

When the alarm sounds at 3:50 a.m. I am a little confused. I slowly become aware that I am in the mountains on summer vacation, but why is the alarm buzzing in the middle of the night? As I gain some sort of consciousness I am aware I can end this buzzing sound and sleep for another 3 or 4 hours, heck I can sleep another 8 hours if I want, it's VACATION!





After about 10 seconds I pretty much know what is going on, and realize I am the one responsible for setting the wake up call. I have about a half hour to drink my coffee, have a snack, and get dressed to get started on what should be about a 15 mile run. I head into the darkness with my hat that lights up (thanks for the present Lynne) leading me through the darkness for the first part of the run. There is no such thing as street lights in the mountain communities and I like it that way. Eventually the lights on my hat are clicked off as light is slowing appearing in the skies.


There is a strange feeling of running along the mountain roads as your eyes adjust from darkness to light that is difficult to describe. I don’t feel lonely at all, even though the most contact is an occasional scared dear that runs off into the woods. It is more a sense of connectedness with darkness, light, and nature. After a littler over an hour, I turn onto a dirt path that leads me up a meandering mountain trail; this takes me to the top of a mountain where a logging road brings more definition to my direction. A while later I am at the top of the mountain overlooking my destination… Pinecrest Lake.







An hour and a half has passed and the sun has still not shown itself, but the view is spectacular and there is enough light to see the peaceful lake as I start my descent.








Thirty more minutes and I will have made it around most of the lake and run into my wife Cindy, and dog Jacpot. They have taken the saner route of driving to the lake first, and then running before the sun is up. When we cross paths, I reverse my direction and jog back around the lake with them. Upon returning to the other side of the lake, Jacpot fetches a stick in the water for a while before we drive back to pick up a newspaper and then return to the cabin.





I don't know when when it happens, but somewhere during these runs there is a sunrise. I guess it is when the sun just begins to peak over the mountain range. But on these mornings, to me the sunrise is not a distinct moment, rather as one special performance over a couple hours. A gift is how I would describe it, and I am the recipient. My consciousness is able to wrap it all up into one big present and take it in. Those first 10 seconds of rising out of bed have long passed, and I am not confused anymore.