The two blisters on my right foot (Big toe and “Roast Beef” toe) are healing up nicely. The pain has improved exponentially from yesterday (Monday), which is better than fine because I ventured into the 3-day Biscay Coaching Backbone Trail Camp prepared to hobble out of it, instead I ran out with only a couple of blisters, many new friends, and a resounding belief that I am on the right path.
Meanwhile, the three cold sores (that’s right, THREE) that I started camp off with are still resting comfortably on my bottom lip, but I am certain their origin sprouted from a deeper stress than the three action-packed days of trail running/hiking with the most incredible teammates and heroes I know. Rather they were a constant reminder that there is always more going on than meets the eye. True, I would’ve preferred not to have had a painful oozing lip of inner turmoil attached as a beacon to my lip all weekend, my large stature is usually enough to help me stand out in a crowd, but that embarrassment didn’t stop me from putting one foot in front of the other along very tricky and grueling trails spanning across the Santa Monica Mountains for six plus hours a day (hiking, running, tripping, but never falling) for three days straight.
All done with a BIG smile and raging cold sores.
Now you know how it ended, let’s go back to how it started.
A group of well-dressed women with higher than normal grit scores gathered on a rare, thick and foggy Thursday afternoon overlooking the Pacific on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. They knew each other, (sort of), each arriving from a different part of the country, but all of them were connected by a love for running, adventure, and saying, ”Yes!” to creative challenges devised by Hillary Biscay and Alyssa Godesky, the head coaches of Biscay Coaching. I am a local, I’ve run along this scenic stretch countless times, but I still had no idea what is in store for us along the 68-mile Backbone Trail?
What was clear in that moment, was that we’d be in it together.
Most of our crew about to head out for a mellow run on Ocean Ave. on Thursday night.
On Friday morning at 6:15A I rolled into the Tapia Trailhead parking lot off of Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Rd. which served as the "Finish" line for the day. I drive that road nearly every Saturday en route to Malibu for my long rides, so I am familiar with the lot, and was thrilled when the other campers arrived and we rolled out in the shuttle vans to the start of the trail, twenty five miles south east at Will Rogers park. While sitting in the back of the Biscay/Twelsiek family Sprinter, I learned about my teammate Jen Sykes' previous life in the Air Force, and that I was not the only step-mom in the group, my teammate Val Bergman shares that special role as well.
Fearless/wide-eyed campers and coaches about the cross the starting line at Will Rogers park. Photo credit, Hillary Biscay.
The first many miles were shaded, gorgeous single track. I fell in line somewhere near the back of the middle, and felt good. We were chatting and moving pretty quickly, but I had no idea “how quickly” because I didn’t want the mental strain of following our time or distance, I just wanted to live each step.
Suddenly, I locked eyes with basketball legend, Cheryl Miller’s, younger brother, Reggie. He was riding on a mountain bike in the opposite direction with a friend, and they both stopped and let us pass, yelling out, “You all look awesome!”
Reggie’s long, thin, and taught physique would never go unrecognized by a fellow basketball freak, and Dr. of Pop Culture, “That was Reggie Miller!!” I yelped out loud after a few seconds of head-spinning delight. The ladies erupted in squeals and laughter, and from that moment on I relaxed in knowing I was indeed a novice trail runner, but also a proud Angeleno, and grateful for the chance to share my home turf with these amazing women.
Overlooking the City of Angels.
During our first SAG stop, i.e. rest/refuel, Hillary asked me if I wanted to join the front group. Honestly, I was very happy with the middle-paced group, again I was in no rush, but if my coach “asks” me to do something, I do it. Next, I trotted off to cover the next six miles with the front group led by Hillary’s husband, Maik.
The Backbone trail is marked fairly well, but without the magnificent navigation skills from our east coast mountaineer extraordinaire, Megan Jensen, we would have spun out needlessly all over the place. I was relieved to be in Megan’s presence every way imaginable, she is truly one of the kindest and coolest people on earth, but to be following her expert guidance was a well-appreciated bonus.
Megan Jensen after leading us to our second SAG stop of the day on top of Stunt Rd.
We arrived at the second SAG stop with ample time to gobble up snacks and sip on Mexican cokes before the rest of the group arrived, and after a quick pit stop, and reality check of what was aching more than my legs, I grabbed an opportunity to ask a few medical questions to one of my favorite people, and top Tucson OBGYN, Dr. Tori Fewell.
Hillary's husband Maik, and Dr. Tori Fewell.
I knew that I would cry at some point over the weekend, just like I have at every other camp, but what prompted tears this time had nothing to do with physical exertion. I asked Tori about her knowledge and experience with a surgery someone close to me was about to undergo, and although I tried to hold it together, I made it about four words in and then burst into tears. Naturally, Tori was the right person to talk to, even though the procedure is not in her field, she reassured me of my concerns, and gave me a big hug. I still felt very far away from where I needed to be, but I pulled myself together just in time to start moving again.
Starting our third leg of Day One on the Backbone trail.
Since I wanted to shoot as much footage as possible to make a mini-movie of our Backbone adventure, I had to fall back numerous times to grab group shots. Therefore, for this last section of the trail on Day One, I was in the fine company of Hillary, Jen Sykes, Lisa Kopp, and near the finish, Kari Myrland.
Screen left: Lisa Kopp, yours Truly, and Jen Sykes. Photo credit, Hillary Biscay.
Most of this section of the trail was downhill and technical, which allowed for minimal running, but maximum conversation. We talked through various topics such as family, real estate, race anxiety (that was my contribution), and other endurance adventures. I didn’t feel any discomfort or fatigue, (my injured leg felt tip-top, too), but the waning daylight didn’t lend much confidence in my fading eyesight. Miraculously, my concerns eased as we neared Piuma Rd., AKA the finish line of the day, and were reunited with our cars at the Tapia trailhead parking lot.
Two happy runners at the end of Day One, Hillary Biscay and Cecilia Irwin.
The following Saturday morning was the closest I have ever felt to losing my life.
We couldn’t quite shake the fog all weekend, and although it’s cool and romantic in most settings, it switches to frightening and treacherous while driving through it on pitch black canyon roads. The route to the Mishe Mokwa parking area from my hotel in Santa Monica took me up through Encinal Rd., a road I’ve ridden on my bike numerous times, so I “knew” where I was going, but I couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead of my Jeep due to the unrelenting fog. There was no shoulder to stop safely and regain my bearings, I had to keep driving and simply pray I would peak out of the fog eventually/avert driving over the edge of the canyon.
Soon enough I was out of the fog, but quickly onto another crazy, windy, and narrow road, Yerba Buena, twisting and turning my way nervously to the desired location. When I pulled into the dirt parking lot, I nearly kissed the ground. I was beyond rattled, and honestly amazed to be alive. Unfortunately, the combination of barely sleeping the night before, and living through a genuine near-death experience haunted me throughout the day. I was enjoying my time with my teammates, but I felt off, and didn’t quite find my “giddy up” the entire day.
From left: Val, Kari, the author, and Maik hiking up, and up, and up on a BIG, long climb on Day Two.
Also, my feet started hurting from the immense down-hill sections of this part of the trail, while my pride was bruising subtly each step as I just couldn’t quite stay on the heels of the front group due to inexperience/meager power-hiking skills. Nevertheless, I kept moving forward, and even though I was farther back than I wanted to be, I was enjoying and learning every minute I was spending with these incredibly strong, and determined women.
Trying to keep up with these rock stars ALL day. Screen left: Me, Stef Granlund, Jen Matro, Maisha Seebeck, Laurel Catlett-King, Bri Horgan, Megan Jensen. Not pictured, Uber-Hiker/Photographer Alyssa Godesky. Photo Credit: Maisha Seebeck.
I always have a humbling moment during these training camps, and nearly all of Day Two was a “humble pie buffet”, but I was aware that being able-bodied enough to complete this trek (when just two weeks prior I couldn’t run without my lower leg blowing up in searing pain), was remarkable, and a feat to be proud of.
And I am happy to report that the sketchy canyon drive back down to Santa Monica was bathed in sunlight, and death-defyingly free.
Since we started where we left off on Day Two, the Yerba Buena trailhead, Hillary and Maik had to drive the shuttles up the fog-laced canyon roads again, but this time I was not fearful at all, just happy I wasn’t at the wheel. Amazing driving, you two!!
As we were spilling out of the vans, and stocking up on provisions, I thought this was the moment I would take a shot at introducing my favorite “camp” song that I learned as a camp counselor at Rolling Hills Country Day school in the Summers of 1998 and 1999, The Chiquita Banana song. It was early, but our vibe was buzzing, and thankfully Hillary gave me the “high” sign to indulge in my shenanigans, so I popped out in front of the group and led them through the ultimate pep up song… “Chiquita Bananas UNITE!!!....”
Kicking off Day Three by dusting off my Camp Counselor skillz.
We wore coordinated Smashfest Queen outfits all three days on the Backbone trail, but I only owned the one assigned for Sunday, Finding Kona, the design inspired by the late and forever GREAT Mary Knott. It meant a lot to wear that kit on the last day and finale leg on the trail, because the empty lot where we parked that morning was the very last place I ever saw and hugged Mary. I could feel she was cheering us on all weekend, and now I know she was.
Mary (the green orb at the bottom of frame) keeping us company on the trail. Photo credit, Erika Lilley (I think?)
Maybe it was anticipation of the finish, or the fact that my body was getting used to hiking and running all day, but that final twenty-one miles flew by on Sunday.
Running close to the edge on Day three. Photo credit, Hillary Biscay.
For the first half of the day, I was focused on remaining upright, dodging the sharp rocks and large stretches of uneven single-track terrain (I had two close calls, but recovered in the nick of time), but I was pleasantly surprised by how much of the trail was “runnable” due to the wide open fire road sections, and so I did what I love most, the MOST on Sunday, I ran.
The top of Ray Miller Trail, AKA the end of the Backbone trail is in sight.
And when I saw the silver sea spreading out over the horizon, just after turning onto the Ray Miller Trail, I couldn't help choking up, although managing to hold back tears, but releasing true joy and awe that I was able to run sixty eight miles over three days when just a couple weeks earlier running a few feet seemed insurmountable. I wasn’t in any pain (except for my blistering toes), I was just happy and in love with running all over again.
Following Hillary, Maisha, and Megan down to the finish.
Next, I weaved down the last mile or so of careening terrain tucked behind Hillary, Megan, and the incredible speedy and sincere blonde from Indiana, Maisha Seebeck. I didn't say a word, I just watched my feet, and let each bouncing step feed my soul.
68 miles done and dusted. From left (TOP): Moi, Hillary Biscay, Cecilia Irwin, Stef Granlund, Jen Matro, Maisha Seebeck, Laurel Catlett-King, Lisa Kop, Liz Hepding, Tori Fewell, Bri Horgan, Alyssa Godesky, Kari Mryland, Maik Twelsiek, (BOTTOM) Val Bergman, Megan Jensen, Robin Pelton, Jen Sykes. Not pictured: Erika Lilley. Photo credit: Hillary Biscay.
There is a whole lot more to share about my Backbone Camp experience, and I am sure I will trickle in needful details to future blog posts, and my next book, but for now I hope I conveyed how large, hard, wonderful, fun, enriching, and inspiring it all was. It is experiences like this one that make me feel unique among the masses, treasured among my tribe, and grateful... for every moment.
The song and video choice this week is one of my favorite’s from Coldplay, it’s the beautiful tune Chris wrote for my girl Gwyneth, and what I am feeling today, “Fix You.”
*Header photo credit, Maisha Seebeck*