Bombs in Jakarta or Bombing Down Trails

Just when I thought running wasn’t hard enough as it is in Jakarta comes a very serious sounding message from my brother about bombs exploding near his house. I’ll settle for humidity and traffic any day!

Closer to home…Santa Barbara trails have a different look and feel lately due to 2008 and 2009 fires. The new Romero super highway has an exciting Baja 1000 feel to it. As I ran up and down last month, I kept looking over my shoulder half expecting to see a few 1000cc enduros and a monster truck bearing down on me at 60 mph. Last week, the curiosity got the better of me and I returned to my beloved Jesusita trail. Against my better judgment, I stepped over the yellow tape and took my first look at the completely naked Upper Steven’s Creek area. The contrast of charred earth leading to unscathed green sections was mesmerizing. It’s neat seeing sections of exposed sections of switchbacks for the and thinking to myself “Oh, so that’s what that looks like!” I commented to one hiker that I encountered as I climbed up the second switchback section and looked out towards the Arroyo Burro that it looked like a huge open pit mine that you might find in West Virginia.

Jesusita, along with the rest of the front trails are now open. This will hopefully open up new dialogue about the future of the legendary 9 Trails run. RD Luis Escobar is close to putting the final touches on a 50k/50miler at Montana de Oro slated for that same post Thanksgiving weekend. He sent me a copy of the proposed trail map. It looks very cool!

Newsworthy locals: Patty Bryant completed what is arguably the most challenging 100-miler in North America earlier this month in Colorado. The Hardrock 100 has a total elevation gain of approximately 33,000' and an average elevation at near tree line of 11,186' with climbs above 14,000’. GO PATTY!

Always impressive mild mannered family man Garret Headly (#211), completed the venerable Western States 100 in late June in blistering hot temperatures. Kenny Hughes continues to tear up the local trails with and without his dog as he prepares for Southern California’s main 100-mile event Angles Crest. Last but not least, SBAA Blogstar George Williams will be running his first 50 miler in the shadow of Mount Rainier next weekend in Washington's classic White River Endurance Run. After his witnessing his outstanding efforts at last month's Blue Canyon Ultra, I'm sure he will have a great day! I raise a glass of Goleta homebrew courtesy of Scott C., potter, brewer and dare I say distiller, to all of you!

New ultras are heading to our area! More news later!