Day 8 Julian to Agua Caliente, California – 27 miles

9/1/2014

eggEd and Dawn Glass the laid back and smiling proprietors presented me with a protein packed treat for the day’s run. A baked egg soufflé with veggie sausage links filled my tummy before I hit the road. At breakfast we had the pleasure of meeting several couples staying at the Bed and Breakfast with us and one couple, Melanie and Greg, invited Papa Didos to do and event in their town of Clairmont CA. We said we would love to put on an event there and they gave us a generous donation. They were runners as well so I think the Great Reading run spoke to them.

potted plantsI rushed out after breakfast but somehow I was late to start my run yet again. As luck would have it, the first six miles was entirely downhill. I let my feet run on autopilot while I took in the forest green trees. As I approached a turn from road to trail I couldn’t help but notice a mountain that was half charred and half green.

sign for trailsOnce on the trail, my lungs felt as if they could not hold as much air. The landscape became rocky and there were almost no signs to guide me. I imagined myself in an old western. How did the settlers of the west do it? Especially with temperatures topping one hundred degrees. I took the trail carefully so it was a slow pace. I saw my support vehicle moving in the distance where the trail finally met up with the Great Overland Southern Stage Route. The heart began to pump quickly as I was afraid they were pulling away. I was blessed that they were planning to park right at that outlet to meet me. Whew. I needed a mid day nap but the heat didn’t cooperate. The glaze of sweat covering me motivated my legs to finish out the day. I ran a straightforward 12 miles to Agua Caliente. No animals, dry surroundings, and hardly a soul in sight. It was serene.

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