I've recovered from the kidney donation, and, even more exciting, thanks to God, I've actually gotten up to 4 miles running.  I've had a "bad" foot since '99 after a chiropractor experimented on it.  Despite trying many things to fix it, including heel surgery in '08, the doctor said there's nothing that can be done.  But we've continued to pray about it and be optimistic.

I felt led to try something new a couple months ago and thankfully I've been running pain free ever since.  I've thanking the Lord.  It's been wonderful to run a couple miles a week on the great trails nearby.  Doesn't matter how slow, I really appreciate being able to weave through the trails, spend time with God, and enjoy the views all around.

I'm now at the start of my first solo race in a year.  For the last year I've been relay-racing with Robin.  She's done a tremendous job doing the run portion and we've really enjoyed racing together as the TeamSoares Relay Team.  But today I'll do both bike and run.

It's a chilly Sunday morning.  Almost 100 athletes.  From High School to seasoned veterans.  We're gathered in front of the store.  Victory Velo owner, Dan Tebbs, climbs into a truck bed to announce the details:  "The course isn't marked, there aren't any prizes, and if the single-track is too difficult, just take the street instead... it's all just for fun anyway.  So let's go!"

Wow, I'm running in a race!  Thank you, God!  The course needs no traffic control.  It's really cool.  We run up steep Cherry Ave behind the store, cross the bridge and drop down along the railroad tracks.  The footing here is tricky, but that just helps the adrenaline get going.  I'm in the middle of the pack, trying to take it real easy but now I feel like I can move up a little.  Onto the NID ditch, through a fallen tree, behind the High School, through the horse staging area and onto the Western States trail.

We wind down the singletrack into the American River Recreational Area.  I'm following some HS X-Country runners.  The views of the river below are awesome.  We round Robie Point (making sure not to take the trail to bottom of the ravine... like some runners did unexpectantly) and then begin the treacherous drop to the river.

I pass Victory Velo rider, Jay, and comment on how far away the Foresthill Bridge looks.  He says, "Yep, we still have quite a ways to go".  Descending the switchback and stair steps, I'm careful to watch my footing.  I catch up to others and comment that the last time I was on this trail was with a baby jogger.  They laugh because this is no place for a jogger.

It was almost 3 years ago, Robin & I, with Anna in the jogger, were exploring Auburn and checking out this famous Western States Trail... unaware how gnarly it is.  We had to carry the jogger a lot, but what a great adventure.

The trail flattens out along the river and I see Dan Tebbs ahead.  He's an amazing cyclist that holds the Iowa Hill Climb record and probably others.  But you wouldn't know it, he's so humble and easy-going.  I pass him and tell him how much I like this event he organized and that I didn't know he was a runner.  He says, "I'm not, I'll be sore for weeks after this".  But I'm sure I'll see him later rocketing by on the bike.

I approach the Confluence (where the North Fork and Middle Fork of the American River come together).  Our bikes are waiting here.  I can hear Anna cheering for me a 1/2 mile away.  I'm so happy to have run 5 mi on trails and not have any discomfort in my foot at all.  I smile, running by Robin and Anna, and tell them, "My foot feels great, it's everything else that hurts."

I'm on my Mtn Bike, racing it for the first time since '97.  This is so cool.  I've never been on the Clementime Loop.  I see a bike far ahead and try to pace with him while also avoiding the rocks, cliffs and sharp turns of the trail.  We're climbing the long road to the top.  I say hi to a lot of weekend riders taking the hill slowly.  Some of them have arm and leg armor on, or suspended from a backback.  They must be looking for some serious thrills on the descent.  I can't wait to see what it's like.

Finally at the top, the rider ahead of me disappears over the drop.  It's like a roller coaster.  Big burms, jumps and dips.  Some people are perched along the side taking video.  No show-boating for me, I'm just trying to keep from crashing and ending up on America's Funniest Videos.  My heart is racing.  In the midst of thinking about when to use the brakes, when to pedal, and when to lean back, I'm also thinking, "Wow, the rumors are right, these ARE awesome trails for riding".

Around the corner and there's the giant pipe!  A culvert.  A dark tube 100 ft long that you ride through!  It's pitch black except for the light at the end of the tunnel.  Suddenly I realize how dumb it is to be flying along without seeing the ground below me.  I'm toast if there's a rock or a branch.  Fortunately I shoot out the other side with no problem and continue on the crazy, wild trail.

I'm all alone.  I cross Old Foresthill Rd into Mammoth Bar Recreation Area looking for the trail back to the Confluence.  There it is!  We were told we could take the road if this trail is too hard, but I'm set on finding out what it's like.  Wow, it's really cool.  My bike is bouncing all over the rocks.  I'm amazed it's not broken after that.  After a while I get more used to the trail.  If I go a little faster up the rises, the bike unweights and kind of floats over the treacherous rocks.

There are bumps everywhere that you can jump.  Every once and a while I take a small one.  I'm heading towards a bigger one now, but decide against it and go around.  Good thing!  There was a deep gully hidden behind it.  Would have had to jump 10ft to clear it.  I hope no one finds this out the hard way.

I'm focused straight ahead, trying not to look down at the river below the cliff on my left.  This is a crazy fun trail.  Finally I hit the road at the bottom, cross the bridge and start the final climb up Stagecoach Trail.  2 guys catch me and it pushes all of us.  It's hard going but I manage to catch one of them and the other I just try to keep in sight.

Ah, there's the gate at the top.  It actually came sooner than I expected.  I'm exhausted and glad to be done.  Todd Allington, Jesse and a couple others are waiting there.  The winner, Conner, a young guy, has already headed back down to meet others.

I'm really happy to finish near these guys.  I had a blast and thank God for letting it go so well.  I biked better than expected and my breathing wasn't out of control.  After being laid up 4 weeks after the surgery I got really winded on the bike.  This is the first sign that my fitness is back.

We all hung out behind Victory Velo and the Running Company, eating BBQ chicken and potluck and talking about how fun the event was.  I'm really glad I did it.  God is good!