California Dreamin’

March 3rd, 2010 Posted in Story

Well all the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray.  I’ve been for a run, on a winters day.  I’ll be safe and warm, since I’m livin’ north (way north) of LA, Cali Dreamin’ on such a winter’s day.

Marcy and I moved back to our adopted home of Fair Oaks, just outside of Sacramento, last week.  We always intended to return after Patrick and Drew finished school, but like most of our friends out west, wondered at times whether we’d ever make it back.

So this is a dream come true for us.  We’re so fortunate to have had such a fulfilling life in Boston for 14 years, surrounded by good friends, family and a trunk full of memories.  But the Sierras have always beckoned us and we are equally thrilled to be back to a place that for us, feels most familiar, comfortable and peaceful - home.

I went for my first run the day we returned along the American River which is nearby our house.  Subsequently I traveled just 30 minutes East to Auburn to run on a portion of the Western States trail.   It felt eerily familiar and peaceful returning to the place where I began my ultra running career.  Although my body is considerably more “used” (which affords me the opportunity to take in more of the scenery at a slower pace!), my mind is taken right back to a place that brings me to a state of relaxation and, well just ahhhh.

I’ll be commuting between Sacramento and Newton so look forward to runs with my left and east coast running pals.  I’ll try to spread the good news of the Trail Animals Running Club out west too.

So come visit and stay with us out west.  We’ve plenty of room, the trails are out our backyard and the pool and hot tub are all set to go.  Our door is always open and you are welcome any time.  For those East Coasters needing a place to stay if you are coming out for Western, let me know and I’ll help you with arrangements, suggestions for places to see, visit while you’re out, logistics, pacers, whatever you need.

Hopefully our return to Cali will be blessed with a first completion of Western this June.  Ironic as it seems that my “home course” is my greatest point of failure, I think fate has asserted herself a bit into the whole affair.  This year I’ll be joined by Drew and Patrick as pacers, along with Joe Angel and crew leaders Dan Fowkes and my love, Marcy - all extremely special people in my life who inspire me to be better than I think I can be.  Jen and Teresa will also return to Team Diesel along with numerous local friends who have encouraged me through the years.  I’ll be surrounded by so many people I love - how can I fail?  Answer?  I won’t.