Random Year in Review

Since Facebook seems to have everyones "Year in Review" happening these days, I thought I'd put my own spin on my life in 2014.  There's something for everyone in here. Or not, whatever, you're already here, so read through it.


Seattle, it's gloomy

Mt. Rainier, a spectacular sight.  When you can actually see it.

In January of 2014 I was still living in Seattle.  It was interesting living in a city where it is gloomy, drizzly and seemingly dark, all the time.  However, when the sun was out, even a little, it truly is a beautiful city with lots to do and see, especially outdoors, and it may rival anywhere else in the USA.  However, the sun rarely comes out.  I look back on my time there, albeit short, as relatively good.  It may not be a favorite place for me personally to live, but I tried to enjoy it as best I could.  I joined the Green Lake Running Group, met some great people, did a lot of volunteer work at a fantastic organization-Treehouse, saw a ton of beautiful scenery, like Rainier, and had the chance to do some hikes, boat rides and miscelleaneous other things(Rodeo).  But recently one of my best friends, John, came to visit me in Scottsdale and as we were out one night, he told me how happy he was for me that I was back in Scottsdale and how miserable I  seemed in Seattle when he came to visit.  That struck me as odd because I didn't think I was miserable there, but he knows me as well as anyone and maybe subconciously I didn't want to think that or believe it as I was trying to make the best of it in Seattle.  So maybe I was miserable there and didn't realize it or maybe, and probably more likely, I'm just a lot happier in Scottsdale and in Arizona in general.  Nevertheless I choose to look at my time in the Pacific NW as a positive and only retain the good memories, I mean it's not like I lived in Portland for God's sake. 


Earning the Bird

In 2014, I Left No Doubt!

In late February I flew back to Phoenix to run the Phoenix Marathon once again.  This time for StuDemption!  It was a great race for me personally, but far more important than that, I had a great week in Arizona; saw my family, spent time with great friends and experienced just about everything that I love about Arizona.  Without knowing, I suppose, this was obviously a precursor of what lay ahead for me regarding my return to the Valley of the Sun.  Phoenix Marathon 2015, you are now in my sights!  2015=BQ

"If you're not scared shitless by your goals, they're probably too easy."

One of my favorite memories of that trip, climbing the camel with my brother Jeff!

Ahhh, Arizona

Gregg and I kayaking the Salt River.

Upon my return to Arizona in late May, one of the first things I did was reconnect with my good friend Gregg and he and I kayaked the Salt River.  It was a beautiful day in Arizona, probably moreso to me coming from the doom and gloom of the Pacific NW, and we did a 10+ mile kayak run.  Incredible scenery, wild horses and bright, warm sun; all made for a great day and a very welcome return.  Thanks again Gregg!



Call of the Wild

Lots more wildlife here than in Seattle, that's for sure.

Running in Seattle I had to get used to almost always being cold.  Since I run early in the morning, 5-6 a.m., that is usually the coldest part of the day and in a city that rarely gets much above 50, except in the summer, that made for a lot of cold mornings and I had to bundle up to run.  It got old.  Back in Arizona, I was so pleased to be able to just run in shorts and a t-shirt again, but now that I live in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, I encounter a lot more wildlife and "activity" if you will.  I have come across a rattlesnake once, plenty of coyotes, javelinas, scorpions and I've see a few bobcats too.  Thankfully, I have yet to have any issue whatsover.  Being alert and cautious is always key, just as it is running on the road with cars.  But here's hoping to not have any issue, ever, other than falling into a cactus a few times....

Falling into a cactus is......not fun.

I definitely enjoyed the warmer weather upon arrival, but after a few weeks the real summer heat hit and it certainly had an impact, as it's tough to run when it's 110 degrees.  Although not for my friend Dan.  It apparently can never be hot enough for him.  Upon returning he invited me to join a running group that meets every Tuesday night at a brewpub in Tempe. The run is only a little over 3 miles, but for whatever the reasons, we always treat it as a race and run all out.  Sadly, for me, Dan always wins.  There is always a theme for the night too and he usually wins that as well, I'm not much of a costume guy.  But it's much more fun running with a friend and I still vow to take him down, not just in a marathon.  Look out Dan, I'll adjust to the heat at some point.  Maybe.

Ugly shirt night. Dan may have won this one, but I had to be a close second with this hideous Seahawk green shirt.

 

 New Countries Update!

People of Moldova.  Is this really my demographic???????

I have tried to keep up with my blog, although not writing nearly as much as I hope, but I try very hard to make sure that anything I post is interesting and not just self-serving.  I enjoy writing the blog, but I always have tried to make it more than just pictures me, look at what I did, kind of a thing, but a story that may actually have some points of interest to anyone that reads it.  That being said, the blog continues to amaze me as, again, there is no marketing whatsoever, just a post on my Facebook to my few friends and yet it finds its way all over the world with people continually coming back to it, which is the astonishing part to me.

This summer one country imparticular made massive hits to the blog; Moldova.  Besides them, 4 additional countries found their way to Cactus Chip; Ireland, Poland, Thailand, and Columbia.  That now makes 29 countries outside the USA that for whatever the reasons find something on here interesting.  Seeing how I've never been to any of them, I continue to be amazed.  Please continue to send me your exports.

Football in the Midwest

Welcome to Jack Pine Stadium.  Can someone please mow the field!!!

In July I had the chance to go back to Michigan for a week.  I tried to cram as much in as I could, visiting family and friends and making the trek to CMU and up to our family property in Northern Michigan.  I am lucky that my Grandpa Ralph bought this land 70+ years ago and thus I had the chance to spend a lot of my childhood summers up north at the cabin.  Sometime 20+ years ago I got the idea that I should make a field goal post and create my own football field.  We had tons of acreage, so space was not an issue and the land was covered in Jack Pines, which are notoriously straight and durable.  So one weekend my good friend Trent and I went up north and like true lumberjacks, we picked out the three trees we thought would work best, and proceeded to use an axe to chop them down.  After they fell, we used the axe to chop off all the branches and cleaned them up.  My brother Jeff helped carry "Trent's Log" over with the other two(his choice of log weighed ridiculously more than the others) and using a tape measure and our eyesight, we dug the holes for the posts, placed them in and nailed the crossbar up.  For years and years we kicked field goals and had  fun with it, eventually builidng another one about 10 years ago, with the help of many this time.  The Field Goal post still stands today and when I was up there, of course I kicked a few.  Good memories and still good times.  And yes, maybe I am a bit football obsessed.

Trent and I reliving the glory days.

Fishing wtih Bacon

A random lake in Michigan.  This would be considered an ocean in AZ.

During my trip to Michigan I was able to spend some time with my good friend Jon Laing, aka Bacon. Bacon and I met in 3rd grade when he changed schools and we've been friends ever since.  He suggested we take out his bass boat and go fishing for the day and I was game.  The weather, as you can see in the pictures, wasn't ideal.  At least not for an Arizonan and I did complain that I was cold by the end of the day.  Sorry Jon.  But we both had good luck catching some bass and releasing them back into the lake.  Michigan is absolutely full of lakes and streams and water in every direction.  Certainly the opposite of Arizona, especially Phoenix where we have Tempe Town Lake, which is disgusting and that's about it in the Valley.  I guess I need to make a trip to Lake Havasu at some point, but it will never match the beauty of Michigan in that regard.  But thank you Bacon for a great day and here's to another 30+ years of friendship!  But maybe next time you come out my way, we may not have water, but we also don't have snow.

Not to be outdone, I caught my fish first, so Bacon had to show me up.

A Birthday Celebration Like No Other

Happy Birthday Doug! Can I borrow your phone for a minute...

My great friend Doug Hatfield had a big birthday this summer, no need to mention the number.  So he decided to throw the party of all parties at his Mountain Home in Northern Arizona.  Let me state, anytime you are with Doug and Kristin, a party invariably ensues, so to throw a rager, well that really means something.  Doug is the kind of guy that had a bigger deck built on his home so he could have a band out there and still have a ton of room.  It's pretty awesome.  Northern Arizona in August is absolutely gorgeous and since we were at 6,000 feet elevation, it's much cooler than the summer heat in the Valley.  Made for a perfect setting.  Doug hired a personal favorite musician for the night, Kristy Dee and her band.  He's had her perform up there many times before.  Since it was his birthday I thought the perfect gift for Doug would be for me to sing a Guns and Roses(one of his favorite bands) song with the band.  I can't sing, nor have I ever performed, but I LOVE GNR and thought it would be fun.  I had hoped to practice with the band over the summer, but it never happened, so I figured it wasn't to be because I certainly needed practice.  But at some point that night, Kristy says to me, "So are you ready to sing?".  I was a bit stunned, but quickly decided this is for Doug and since everyone has been drinking for hours, I certainly don't need to be very good.

I was quite nervous and since this was a suprise to Doug I sneaked back behind the band and had Kristy call me out.  I sang Knockin' on Heavens Door and thankfully since I've seen GNR many times and heard and sang along to that song a million times, I knew it well and after the first stanza I calmed down a bit.  Kristy was awesome standing right next to me playing the guitar and singing backup.  Doug was going crazy and the crowd was seemingly into it.  Again, keep in mind it's late and lots of alcohol had thankfully been consumed to impair judgment.  At one point in the middle of the song there is a break point and Kristy held out her hand and said to me, "You got them right in the palm of your hand, bring it home".  I have to say, it felt really cool and I have zero illusion that I was any good, but just remember the time and circumstance and that Doug loves GNR and this was clearly for him.  It was a blast and I'd happily do it again sometime.  Maybe.  Somewhere there is recorded footage of this on Doug's phone, I cringe at the thought of actually ever seeing it, but it was a party and a great one at that, no reason to have anything but a great time.  Which is exactly what we did.  Happy Birthday my friend!




Stop calling me Shirley...

 I really did fly this thing.

I had a very cool chance to fly over the Valley and to Sedona with my new friend Jeff H.  I met Jeff through work, he mentioned that he had a plane and he randomly called me one Saturday morning and asked if I'd like to go flying with him.  I jumped at the chance.  Arizona is such a beautiful state and to see it from the air is even more incredible.  Plus I love flying in small planes.  My Grandpa Fred used to own a Cessna when I was a little kid.  I didn't get to enjoy it much then, but I've always enjoyed flying in small planes to islands and such.  I met Jeff at the Scottsdale airport and we took off towards Sedona.  The scenery was fantastic and it was a great day to be in the sky.  Jeff's been flying for years and he is rated and capable of being hired to fly bigger planes, but it's just a hobby for him.  As we approached Sedona, the airport was on top of a Mesa, with cliffs at each end of the runway.  No problem for Jeff to land.  We got out and had lunch and then got ready to head back.  As we were on the runway cleared for takeoff Jeff says to me, "All right, you're flying us home".  I was stunned, he had never mentioned me taking the controls and I've never done anything even close. Not mention the end of the runway was a cliff, so no room for error.  I hesitated, but he assured me I could do it, told me what to do, what gauges to watch and track and that to know he had the controls in front of him and could take over if needed.  I hadn't been that nervous in a long time.  So we speeded down the runway, I pulled the steering wheel back and up we went.  Once we were in the air, it wasn't that difficult to keep control, thankfully it wasn't windy nor were there any inclement conditions.   However, I definitely was not enjoying the scenery on the way back as I was glued to the gauges and making sure we were on track at all points.  When we got close to the Scottsdale airport, Jeff took over and landed us.  But it was a lot of fun and I would easily do it again if given the chance.  For now I get to add Pilot to my resume, if only for a day.  Thanks Jeff!

No, I did not take this while I was flying the plane.  Arizona beauty.

Visiting Notre Dame

On the field, ready for game time!

I also had the chance to go to the University of Notre Dame to a football game and live a lifelong dream in doing so all thanks to my good friend Mike.  I blogged about that adventure, but would be remiss if I didn't mention it again here.  The season my not have ultimately turned out as expected for the Irish, but the memories from my weekend in South Bend far exceeded my hopes.  I look forward to going back again.

 

Thanks again Mike! Go Irish!

Arizona Christmas

With Doug and Kristin at  an outdoor Mass at Christmas?  Yes, in Arizona anything is possible!

One of the obvious perks of living in Arizona is the weather.  I certainly hear from many that it's way too hot in the summer, how do you stand it, blah, blah, blah.... But what we don't have is snow nor extreme cold.  Instead we get virtually every day sunshine and warm temperatures.  All of that allows for the chance to do so much more outdoors including attending Christmas Mass at St. Patrick's for an outdoor service.  I was so intrigued by this concept and joined Doug and Kristin for Mass Christmas Eve outside the Sanctuary.  It was such a cool and different experience and certainly St. Patrick's has had an influence on my life and definitely my time in Arizona previously and now, again.  It just about summed up the year for me as we celebrated that night with a beautiful service and then a fantastic dinner.   I definitely feel blessed.

The Price of Freedom

More fun times ahead when you return Gregg!  Thank you!

On a more somber note, on Monday, December 29 my friend Gregg was shipped off to the Middle East for another stint with the Air National Guard.  When something like this happens to someone you know personally, it really hits home.  Gregg has given up his life for the next year in order to go and fight for our freedoms here.  I'm not sure I could do what he's doing, but as he said to me right before he left, "That's what we do and I'm ready".  I know he is and I thank him and every other soldier that is putting themself in harms way for all of us here.  I'll be ready for your return to Arizona Gregg! Stay safe my friend and God Bless!

 Bring on 2015!

High above Phoenix, representing the C!

Overall 2014 was a quite a year.  I am elated to be back in Arizona and at at the same time I embrace all the things that led me to this point.  I am so very fortunate to have such great family and friends and I hope that 2015 only brings more great fun and opportunities.  Forever Fired Up!

Luck of the Irish

Hit the sign, then hit the field!  Go Irish!
 

"Maybe someday I could go to Notre Dame"
                 ~ Daniel Ruettiger from the movie "Rudy".

Growing up in Lansing, Michigan I was fortunate that my parents had season tickets to MSU football and I had the chance to enjoy the pagentry, fun and excitement of all that college football entails. Of course that meant that I grew up a Spartan and still have green blood in me.  However when I was kid in the late 70's and early 80's MSU football was really........not good.  But we still went to the games, still cheered wildly and also hoped(but rarely witnessed) for a victory over the dreaded Wolverines.  My hate for them started young and still holds strong.  Because of MSU's inability to beat scUM, I also had an affinity for Notre Dame.  Only a few hours down the road, the Irish may not have beaten scUM all the time, but every year they potentially could, something MSU struggled with at that time.  Also being a Catholic and the Notre Dame games being on TV every week, I enjoyed watching and following them as well.

Tradition is what separates college football from most other sports and the passion for which fans get involved.  Right or wrong, over the top or ridiculous, it all makes for fun times at games and I love football.  Notre Dame has as much, or more, tradition than most and I have always wanted to attend a game there, but not just any game, a big game.  I had hoped to fly back and see them play scUM this season, but unfortunately that didn't work out.  However, I had the great fortune of getting an opportunity last week to attend my first Irish game in person as they took on Stanford and have the experience of a lifetime, all thanks to my friend Mike.

Touchdown Jesus looms over Notre Dame Stadium, it's an awesome sight!

I flew into Chicago on Friday, then immediately drove to South Bend, IN about 2 hours away.  Coming from the nice weather in Scottsdale, I knew I'd be in for some colder temps back in the Midwest and on top of that it was going to be rainy all weekend.  But that was not going to dampen my spirits.  As I pulled onto the Notre Dame campus, I met up with Mike and we went to the Friday night pep rally, a tradition that still is strong at Notre Dame as thousands of people show up.  As a kid I remember going to MSU pep rally's the night before gameday, but sadly those disappeared long ago, but ND not only still does them, they make it a big event and fun for everyone.  Cheerleaders, Irish dancing, DJ spinning music, all lead up to the football team and Coach Brian Kelly taking the stage to a raucous, 5K or so that filled the Arena.  I love Coach Kelly because of what he did for my alma mater, CMU, and for his no nonsense attitude and approach.  He spoke with candor and determination before having a few of the players speak and get everyone fired up for the game.  It was a lot of fun and certainly got me excited for gameday.  Before I even made it to South Bend, Mike had sent me a list of all the activities going on at ND for the weekend and asked me to let him know what I may like to do.  There was a tour of the tunnel in the stadium, but I had gotten into town too late to do that, which turned out just fine as Mike said to me, "I think we can do a little better than the tunnel tour".

Irish RB Tyler Plantz fires up the crowd by breaking boards over his head.

And with that statement from Mike, the real fun began.  Mike is a ND Monogram Club member so we got to go the Club Lounge adjacent to the Locker Room for a special reception where all former ND letterwinners are welcomed back on game weekends to mix and mingle and relive their own glory days.  This weekened they were also honoring the 1964 Notre Dame team with many of them in attendance including legendary Coach Ara Parseghian.  If you follow college football even a shred, you know that Ara is not only beloved by the ND faithful, but he truly is a college football icon.  It was an honor to meet him and talk to him for a bit as well.  Again, I LOVE college football and I am a bit of a historian and for me this was beyond awesome.  Besides that, we also got a private tour of the lockerroom and got to do the infamous walk down the stairs leading to the stadium where the "Play Like A Champion" sign has been for years, just like the players do every game.  We then got to go onto the field.  This was truly way beyond anything I expected or even anticipated about this weekend.



"Coach Parseghian, in the '66 game with MSU, why did you....."

Inside the Locker Room feeling ready to suit up myself for gameday!

On the field, feeling the Luck 'O the Irish!

After a very short night's sleep we got up early to get our tailgate set up.  Mike has a very thorough plan for tailgating and with his SUV loaded for bear, we got to our lot in the Notre Dame Library and prepared to set up our tents, the grill and everything else.  He had a number of other friends in town for the game and probably all told, there was about 50 people there.  The weather was not very good, low 40's, spitting of rain and the occasional snow, mind you it's only October 4th!  A not so gentle reminder of why I moved to Arizona.  But with a ton of food and drinks and people and other tailgates all around, the atmosphere was incredibly festive and fun.  Tailgating does not even come close to this in Arizona or in Seattle, no matter what people from there might tell you.  They really just don't know any better.  Football just means more in the midwest and in the south, right or wrong, that's just the way it is and football Saturdays are sacred.

Setting up the tailgate with Mike despite inclement and windy conditions.  One of the tents actually blew across the street.

I had been on the Notre Dame campus many times in my life, but I had never had the chance to go to a football game because the tickets are impossible to get unless you know someone or are willing to pay a ton through a scalper.  Tickets for the ND-UM games just a few weeks ago were scalping for over $1000.  Insane.  However, the campus is stunningly beautiful and in the fall with the color change it was almost ideal, only the weather was holding it back from perfection.  But I still took my time to tour the campus and soak it all in including stops at the infamous Grotto, the Basilica(which inside may be the most beautiful church I've ever seen), the golden dome,  and of course the bookstore.  With so many people on campus it was lively and energetic and everyone was excited for the game.  After consuming way too much food, no regrets though, it was finally time to head into the stadium for the game itself.  The whole trip had been so incredible so far and the game hadn't even started, which was really the main reason I went.  Could it really get even better?

The Golden Dome of the Administration building, it can be seen from across campus.

The infamous ND Grotto.  I only know one other grotto, anyone that wants to take me there, I'm in.

The Basilica.  Incredibly beautiful inside, worth a visit.

Up to this point the weather had been cold and spitting rain and not great, but sadly, once the game started it really started to rain and it either got colder or just felt that way.  The conditions were not good and it limited the play of the game as well.  Stanford is known for a strong defense and it showed on this day as they limited the Irish to minimal offense. However the Notre Dame defense was even better only allowing points after an Irish fumble.  The game went back and forth late into the fourth quarter when Stanford mounted their only real drive of the game and ultimately scored a touchdown, taking the lead 14-10 with only 3 minutes left in the game.  The crowd got restless, as the weather and rain made it seem almost impossible that Notre Dame could drive and score in enough time.  As the Irish took the field, QB Everett Golson proceeded to march the team downfield, despite some dropped passes, before the drive came to a halt at the 23 yard line with ND facing a 4th and 11 with only a minute left.  This was it, the game was now on the line.  After a ND timeout, the team came back out on the field.  Clearly a pass play was needed and of course having the ball in Golson's hands was the only option to either throw or run.  As he took the snap the Stanford D brought pressure up the middle forcing Golson to move to his left and on the run he sailed the ball into the endzone.  Sitting in the stands it seemed like the ball was in the air forever before it ultimately hit ND TE Ben Koyack in the hands in the endzone as he straddled the out of bounds line for a touchdown.  The stadium went nuts as ND regained the lead 17-14.  With less than a minute left, ND kicked off and Stanford had little option but to throw downfield.  Knowing this ND made what I feel is the decision of a team trying to win the game, rather than just not trying to lose it, as they brought a "Jailbreak Blitz" ultimately sacking the Stanford QB.  Rather than sit back in a prevent defense, they brought the house and the sack literally brought that house down as the game ended and all of us fans went crazy!  It was an unbelievable finish.

Here come the Irish!

After the final sack, GAME OVER!

The weather played havoc with my phone camera, but there is the final result for all to see!

Game over, trip over.....not quite.  Again, my own Luck of the Irish would continue.  We first went to the Athletic Convocation Center where they have a special postgame mass for those in the Monogram Club before heading back to the tailgate for another hour or so.  After going back to Mike's house and drying off and warming up, we then had the opportunity to go back to the stadium for another private tour before heading to the local postgame hotspot The Linebacker Lounge.  The next morning, I drove back to Chicago to the conference that brought me to the midwest in the first place.  As I drove the two hours back, it was hard to even digest all that had just happened.  I truly have wanted to attend a Notre Dame football game for as long as I can remember and to think I not only was able to, but to have the full-on experience, if you will, how lucky am I?!?!?!  None of it would have been possible without Mike and I thanked him profusely, but I really never could do so enough.  I have a passion for football and college imparticular.  As I try to explain my passion to others it has always come down to this for me; for 3 hours or so where else can you feel such immense highs, lows, tears, cheers, excitement, vitriol, hate, love and raw emotion.  Maybe I am not emotive enough on a regular basis, I don't know, but I do know on Saturdays, when my teams are playing, I can experience a whole world of emotion and life all wrapped up into one.  Crazy, silly; maybe, but it works for me and I love it!  I did get to go to Notre Dame and the whole experience was off the charts!  It was far more than anything I could have hoped for and only left me wanting to do it all again. 

Maybe someday I could work for Notre Dame....hmmmm.  Thanks again Mike!  Go Irish!

Mike and I after the game, soaked and cold, but oh so happy!  Fire Up Irish!

Why? Because I can.

The McDowell Mountains at Sunset.  They look innocent enough.

Recently I ran a trail race, at night, in the pitch black, up a mountain, and through the desert hinterlands.  Why would I do such a silly, crazy, challenging, some might say-stupid, thing; simple, because I can.  And why is that, we'll figure that out in a minute.



Now's not the time to think about running up these mountains, just soak in the view.

Now that I am back in Arizona, I am back to running my weekly Wednesday night trail run with my friend Gregg.  He loves running the trails and although I am more of a road runner, I do like mixing it up a bit once a week and doing a trail run.  It is much different, your footing is much more challenging as you have to look for rocks with every step and the pathways are often twisty and formidable, unlike running on the road where you can get into a rhythm and just lock in and not have to worry about your surroundings or trying to follow a path and just burn through the miles.  The Wednesday night group runs are put on by the Aravaipa Running group, which is essentially two brothers who are into Ultra running, meaning extreme distance races like 50 or 100 miles. But the group runs are for people at all levels, just a way to get more people into trail running and we'll get anywhere from 15-50 people to show up any given Wednesday.  Aravaipa puts on races all year round and in the summer they do them overnight to try and beat the heat.  Gregg has done a few of their races before and was encouraging me to sign up with him to do the Adrenaline Night Run at McDowell Mountain Park in Fountain Hills.

Having limited trail running experience and no trail race experience, while really still preferring road running, I thought it might be a fun challenge to try and run in the dark with a headlamp through the McDowell Mountains.  The Adrenaline race had three levels, a 64K, 27K and a 10K.  I opted for the 10K which is 6.2 miles.  I know I can run and race longer distances, but being my first trail race, I thought the 10K was they way to go and Gregg was on board as well as two other friends, Deb and Angela.

Pre-Race, we all look so happy and excited!  Deb, Gregg, Angela and myself.

The race was to start at 8 p.m. and we all got there early, while it was still sunny and hot, in the mid 90's at least. Since people running the 64K and 27K would be running literally through the night, there were tents set up and people all over.  It was a very festive atmosphere as we all prepared for our 8:00 p.m. start time.  I decided to wear a bandanna so that my headlamp wasn't directly on my head, as the light can emit some heat, and it was already hot enough outside, I didn't need anything extra.  I also planned to carry my water bottle filled with a Gatorade/Water mix and I had put it in my freezer that morning, figuring it would easily thaw while I was running, if not before and thereby not be so warm to drink.  Side note: I have a Survivor bandanna, from the TV show, it was a gift.  I rarely wear it, but when I do, when anyone asks me if I was on Survivor I tell them that I was, Season Two in Australia and got voted off early due to politics and people's fear that I would be too tough to beat in challenges.  I also throw in that I went on one date with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who was a contestant that season as well.  No one has ever doubted my story before, harmless fun on my end. Sadly, no one asked me about it that night, I guess it was too dark to notice what was on my bandanna.  Moving on...

Headlamp, check. Neon shirt, check. Survivor Bandanna, check.  My brother Jeff asked if I was trying look like Bret Michaels, that would be an emphatic "No".  However Bret is a Scottsdale resident and neighbor...

As it got close to the start and we started lining up, I was ready to go.  When I run a race, any race, I go all out.  I figure I can run for free every day, so if  I am going to pay to do a race, I am going to give it everything I have.  Everyone runs for their own reason; for fun, just to try and finish, whatever, but that's my motive.  So not having run in the dark before and trail running being much more difficult due to the elevation climbs and footing challenges, I figured I would be running about 2-3 minutes per mile slower than if I was on the road.  In talking with some long time runners I know they said to figure about 1:30-2:00 minutes slower per mile.  So with that in mind and knowing on the roads I can do a 10K in about 42 minutes, I figured if I can break 1 hour or 55 minutes, that I would be happy with the result.  As the gun went off we all immediately got into a single file as the trail wasn't wide enough for anything more.  Passing people would also be a challenge because there were cactus everywhere and darkness and the trail, in daylight, is really only wide enough for one person, so passing means going off into the rough stuff and hoping you don't potentially hurt yourself.  Or fall off the mountain.  Sound fun yet?

Near the start.  Certainly doesn't look imposing.  Good thing it was about to be dark so you couldn't see the challenges that lie ahead.

Knowing that after the first 1/4 mile or so, as the picture shows above, we would literally start climbing up a mountain for the next 2 miles, I prepared for the challenge ahead.  I was behind a guy that I certainly knew I was faster than, but held back, one because it was tough to pass and more so because I figured I better hold back some energy going up the mountain.  The sun was set completely and as we started up the mountain on the switchbacks, when you looked below you it was pretty cool just seeing everyone's headlights bouncing up and down in the darkness.  My adrenaline was really pumping and going up the mountain didn't seem nearly as bad as I imagined.  Although I live on the other side of the McDowell's and run up them regularly, so I suppose that helped.  As we got to the summit, I went past the guy in front of me and sped up.  The only negative to that, was that we had really started to splinter off and space off from each other, meaning in the dark, I was all alone with only my headlamp for sight.  Being behind someone else with both our lights shining ahead, it wasn't too bad for sight lines.  Going into the race I was most concerned that I would step on a rock or something and either fall down or twist an ankle.  Even with a headlamp you can't see everything.  But I soldiered on and felt good.

I never wear a watch and since we were out in the far reaches of the desert mountains, there were no course markings to tell you what mile you were at let alone spectators or any time markings.  It was a very unique experience, but I felt really strong and it seemed like I was keeping a good pace.  I had to maintain strict focus, watching every step I took and for the twists and turns in the trail. In the dark you really had no idea which way you were heading at any moment.  On the roads you can clearly see where you are, up ahead and you can sort of just zone out and run, but not here.  Around Mile 4 there was to be a water stop, so I knew I would have that as a reference point.  I was carrying my water bottle although normally I would never need anything for such a short run, but in the heat I felt I would take precaution.  However, I had put it in the freezer that morning and somehow it was still frozen, so when I tried to drink from it, I was getting nothing.  I wasn't in dire need of fluids really, but I was getting a real cottonmouth and I just needed something to clear it out.  As I got closer to the water stop I passed about 3 more people and then one guy actually passed me.  The nerve!  But I could see a faint light in the distance and as I got closer it was indeed the water stop with only  one lonely volunteer deep in the desert mountain with cups of water on a table.  I ran through grabbed one and kept going, took a drink and it was awful, as it had been sitting out, thus really, really warm, but it did the trick for me and I kept going.

It was much darker than this, but you can see the trail and the rough terrain surrounding it.

As I got near the end, I knew that I would come to a fork and I was supposed to go right.  The course was lined with reflectors for you to follow.  Although they weren't always prominent or helpful and since there were also the 64K and 27K races at the same time, there were different color reflectors for each race.  When I got to the fork I thought I was to go right, but it seemed like my color reflector was on the left, so I went left for 100 yards or so and soon realized I was going back up the mountain and the wrong way, so I turned around went back to the fork and went to the right.  My fault, I just got confused in the dark after running full speed up and down a mountain, I guess that could happen.  Anyways, I knew at the fork that I had about a mile to go, so I held firm and kept looking for ambient light to see the finish.  Sadly, I never really did see it and then all of a sudden it popped up as I rounded a corner.  I burned it in and finished in 47:36 and in 12th place overall, much faster than I had hoped, so I was pleased.  Gregg, Angela and Deb soon finished behind me and we all enjoyed the post race food and drink that was off the charts!  I've done a lot of races and I've never seen such an elaborate spread, it was fantastic and tasty. They created a short video that gives you a sense of what it was like to run the race.  If you look closely you can see me in my neon yellow shirt in a few shots.  Adrenaline Night Run Video

It was around 10 p.m. when we left, which felt odd to me as I usually run early in the morning and races are usually in the mornings as well.  After most races, I need about 15 minutes to recalibrate, than I am wired and wound up.  I got back home and I was anything but sleepy and I was starving.  Even though I ate some post race food, which was more snacks, I wanted something substantial and since I don't really cook and it was late, the closest option nearby was McDonald's.  So after cleaning up and such, around midnight I went to McDonald's and got some stuff to go.  It tasted really good, shocking since I almost never eat fast food, but whatever, it served it's purpose.

After the race.  Half the people in this photo have fought for our freedom.  Thank you!

In the end, it was a great time and a new experience with good friends and I look forward to doing the next Aravaipa run in July, Vertigo,  in the White Tank Mountains.  But before the race I also learned that Gregg is going to Afghanistan later this year.  He serves in the Air National Guard for the US Air Force and has for nearly 20 years.  Seems he was drafted for a 6 month tour.  He went to Iraq a few years ago and did a spell at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba as well.  Being in the Guard is much more than one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer.  Soldiers like him get pulled out of their lives to help keep our country safe and free and to continue to allow all of us to be able to do silly things like run in the mountains in the dark for fun and go to McDonald's in the blink of an eye because there is one on every corner and we are hungry.  He has seen more and sacrificed more than most as has Deb, who is also in the Guard and has done a tour in Iraq as well, but thankfully wasn't chosen to go back this year.  So far, anyways.  If you're like me you thought the bulk of the war was over, that we were pulling troops out. Well we are but we also keep sending more and thousands of soldiers like Gregg will have their lives disrupted once again, be pulled away from their kids and their jobs all under the guise of protecting our freedoms.  It doesn't matter if you are for the war, against it, Democrat or Republican, every day our soldiers are out there protecting our freedoms.  Knowing Gregg personally, this really hit home for me.  Listen, he's not seeking any sympathy, he chose to be in the Guard, he's ready to go, it's his mission and he'll serve it, just like he has for years and he'd tell you that.  But the next time you see a soldier or if you know of someone that did serve, be sure to thank them again.  Because the rest of us every day can get up, go to work, go to the beach, go out to eat, the movies, sleep in, speak freely, watch tv, run up a mountain in the dark, whatever, and the reason we can is because of them and people like Gregg and Deb who help to continue to make the United States the greatest country in the world.  Thank you to you both and to all the other soldiers, I respect you immensely and appreciate all you have done and continue to do and I hope you all come back safely.

Gregg's tour will end next summer, which is great because it will be just in time for us to do this silly race again and maybe we can even hit McDonald's too. Why, because we can and let's never forgot why that is.

Gregg and I kayaking the Salt River.  I look forward to doing this again when you get back my friend!

Arizona=Happy

Sunshine, mountains, warm weather; must be Arizona!

In 1961 my Uncle Al was transferred for work to Phoenix, Arizona.  Back in the '60's Phoenix was nothing like it is today as a sprawling city, but it always had the nice hot weather.  Al loved living in Phoenix, loved the weather and always thought at that time that the West was the place to be for growth.  Sadly only a few years later he was transferred again and this time to Cleveland, of all places.  Often referred to as the plumber's crack of America, I don't know anyone that would be excited to live there.  So in February of 1964 with all his possessions on a moving truck, he loaded up his station wagon and family and started heading east.  A little ways out of Phoenix in the wide open desert hinterlands he was profoundly speeding and got pulled over by cop.

Cop:  You know you were speeding quite a bit back there.  Where are you heading?

Al:  Moving to Cleveland.

Cop:  (With exasperated look on his face) Let me get this straight, you're moving from Phoenix to Cleveland?!?!? In February?!?!?!

Al:  Yeah, job transfer

Cop:  Just go ahead, you have enough trouble.

And with that he was on his way.  I am sure you won't find this story on any Visit Cleveland brochures.  But Al always vowed to move back to Arizona and upon retirement he and my Aunt Rae did so in the early 1990's and have been there ever since. 

Good times in Cleveland, certainly earning their reputation as the mistake on the lake.

When I lived in Arizona previously, I fell in love with it as well. I had a number of great weekends with Al, gambling on football, something we have in common, and I thoroughly enjoyed the warm weather, hiking and outdoor recreation.  Certainly the desert isn't for everyone, but it was for him and I quickly found out it was for me too.  Work then took me to Seattle, but when the opportunity arose to move back recently, I jumped on it and now I find myself, HAPPILY, back in the town originally founded as Orangedale, my favorite place, Scottsdale, Arizona.  I mean I certainly wouldn't be moving to Cleveland. Or Portland for that matter.

Don't worry Portland, I may not be in Seattle anymore, but I'll still continue to make fun of you.
Stay weird, as though that's a good thing.

I got back to Arizona just last week with a stop at Al and Rae's on the way down to the Valley.  The drive from Seattle to Phoenix takes about 20+ hours of driving and if you've ever wondered what it's like driving through Nevada from top to bottom, I can save you trouble, it's desolate.   There is a reason the US Military uses most of  Nevada for proving grounds; outside of Las Vegas there is virtually nothing.  For two stretches, one of 136 miles and another of 114 miles they have signs warning you that there is basically no sign of life so you better load up on gas and anything else when you get the chance.  I did stop in Vegas briefly but finally made to Phoenix. 

136 mile stretch in northern Nevada.  Pretty cool huh?

114 mile stretch.  Seriously, this is not the same picture.  Now you never have to drive through Nevada,
you're welcome.

After living in Seattle I wondered how the re-adjustment would be to the Arizona heat, especially  now that it's summer time.  But despite record temps and heat advisories, it has been much easier then I expected. Don't get me wrong 110 is hot, but the mornings are fantastic and so are the evenings and even during the day, if you are in the shade or at a restaurant outside on a covered patio with misters, it's delightful.  I like to think that I am fairly upbeat guy more often than not, but the constant gray skies and sporadic sun of Washington had an effect on me and  the second I got back to Arizona, things just felt better.  Even friends of mine noticed, whether it was by phone or in person, they could tell I was happier and said so. 

My first week back my old running friend Gregg and I did our usual Wednesday night group run at Papago Park by the zoo and once again the Rams lined up and watched us all run by.  I also met up with another friend of mine, Dan and we did a group run around Tempe Town Lake that finished at the Gordon Biersch Brewery.  It was 107 degrees that night and for some reason we decided to run all out, like a race.  Not smart I guess, then Dan proceeded to destroy me. Ugh.  However afterwards the group meets in the brewery where all food and drink is 1/2 price for runners. Thanks for the invite to the group Dan, but at some point, I will out run you!

After a Tempe Town Lake Run with Dan P., certainly I wouldn't pass up a chance to promote CMU,
 I'm Fired Up in the back.

Over the weekend Gregg asked if I wanted to join him on a kayak trip down the Salt River.  I have never kayaked before but I was up for it.  So we got an early start, about 7:00 am to beat the heat, and headed out just northeast of Mesa and no more than probably 25 miles from Scottsdale to a part of the Salt River and dropped in for a 12 mile trek.  After about 15 minutes I had full control of kayak, it was much easier than I thought.  The river was much bigger than I imagined and the scenery was fantastic.  It was a beautiful day and we saw dozens of wild horses, eagles, hawks, turtles and lots of great mountain views and even navigated through some small rapids.  Definitely something that needs to be done again as it rivaled any of the rivers I've canoed in Michigan.

Gregg and I getting ready for a kayaking adventure.

Beautiful mesa views in every direction.

We saw well over a dozen wild horses.

I've been to a few of my favorite restaurants, met up with my Friday morning St. Pat's group, had another great night of watching sports at the All American in Fountain Hills with Doug and Kristin and have basically been able to seamlessly reconnect in every way and it's been far better than even I imagined.  Everything just feels right to me here.  I don't know how to explain it, but the last few years have been challenging for sure but ever since I arrived back in Arizona, I just feel happy, something that has certainly been missing in my life.  I did like Seattle, I met some great people, I'll certainy miss the Green Lake Running Group, and it is a scenically beautiful city, however, I guess I am just a desert rat after all.  Not sure how or why that happened, but Arizona definitely is for me and I hope, beyond hope, to never move again.  I am sure there will undoubtedbly be new challenges ahead, that's life, but I know for me, I will be much happier tackling them all with the sun shining every day.

For all my friends in the Midwest and elsewhere, feel free to visit any time, especially in those lousy winter months because the weather is always better here, thus so is life. I'll always have room for you.  Michigan will always be my home state, but going forward Arizona will forever be my home. The Cactus is now back in Cactus Chip and it feels great.  Fire Up!



No better place to be than in sunny AZ!