G’day Bart!

 

Mate, it was awesome to meet you at the recent Big Sur Marathon.

 

I got home 3 days ago after nearly 7 weeks in USA and I had the time of my life!  I loved the hospitality of the American people and the natural beauty of the country. 

 

And Big Sur didn’t disappoint me in any way!  As you know, I set myself for this run a very long time ago and it was the very reason that I came to America to realise a long held ambition.  I’m proud that I made the journey and finished the race – it won’t be my last!  I’m hoping to qualify for Boston next year (I need to run a 3:20 or better in the Sydney Marathon in 16 weeks time - I’m already in training and doing my “Yasso 800′s”!) and when I get there, I’m keen to do the Boston-Big Sur double only 6 days apart!  That sounds like my kind of challenge, and as you say, Bart – “Never limit where running can take you”!

 

Anyway, mate, thanks again for your hospitality and friendliness whilst in Monterey.  I treasure my Footy Jumper that you signed for me with your famous Big Sur quote (which inspired me to do the run in the first place).

 

Here’s an Email I put together for a few of my mates back home in Australia to showcase what a special run the Big Sur is, and to thank them for their comraderie in training with me to realise a goal.  You’ll see a picture of your good self at the end of the Email and it was a big highlight for me to rub shoulders with yourself, Charlie Engle, and some other running royalty.  Thanks again, Bart, and best wishes to you and family.

 

Pete Frayne

Victoria, Australia

_____

Referring to my blog post of April 30th, 2009: How Alexis Garcia Got To Big Sur

Some of you asked to see Alexis Garcia’s photos of hiskayak escape / rescue off the Florida coast. He just recently saw these photos for the first time and his wife Marlene was kind enough to can them and send them to me. I’ve also included some pix ofthe Garcia’s and me from Big Sur.

Many of you have been writing and asking me when Iwill be in Iraq and exaclty what bases I will be visiting as part of the Warriors Tour arranged by Rob Powers. As may of you have family and friends – servicemen and women over there. Our speakers on the tour will include Olympian Frank Shorter, astronaut Sandra Magnus and marathon champ Dan Browne. While we do have dates now – July  6th thru the 16th. It’s likely I won’t know all of the bases we will be touring – - until we arrive in Iraq. If we do know ahead of time – they will be listed on the website:

www.thewarriorstour.com.

You can also join the casue on facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gld=70014783264

 

THE WARRIOR TOURS: KEEPING CONNECTIONS OPEN As overseas troops protect our freedom, razor wire and security posts keep out more than the enemy. Confined to a military base, our soldiers battle daily with limited freedom, isolation and distance from their homes and families. From triple-digit heat to the constant throbbing of the sounds of war – whether military exercises or true exchange of fire – physical and mental stress runs high. Enter the Warrior Tours – an opportunity for the men and women who sacrifice so much for our peace of mind to enjoy a bit of their own. We take some of America’s best sporting events to the troops, giving them a chance to connect with home while they enjoy a change of pace from the tensions of active duty. It’s a source of physical and mental release that is as good for their bodies as for their spirits. Overseas Events A few days before a stateside major event, the Warrior Tours crew and special guests touch down at an overseas military installation, bringing the energy and fanfare of the event to the troops. With plenty of opportunity for celebrity “meet and greets,” lots of “swag”, and the rockin’ good time of a live appearance by bands like CatchPenny, the Armed Forces Entertainers of the Year, it’s a turbo-boost for morale. And, then there is the chance for some friendly competition and de-stressing as the soldiers compete in the base’s own version of the stateside sporting event. We also host interviews, film the race action and record “shoutouts” and dedications from each soldier who has a message for his family, friends, employers and community back home. Stateside Connections The Warrior Tour crew returns to the states and shares the photos, videos and audio clips with national and local media outlets and through social networking sites. More important, we integrate the media into the stateside major event so that participants and fans alike are reminded to keep their eyes on the prize that’s even bigger than a race victory or personal best: freedom. Putting It All Together The Warrior Tours are all about connections: connecting the troops with home…connecting stateside communities with the faces and personal stories of those who keep them safe…connecting the friends and families of soldiers with a sense of peace and pride that their loved ones are not only okay, but also recognized and respected for their mission of honor…and finally, connecting sporting events that bridge the time and miles until our troops return safely home.    THE WARRIOR TOURS UPCOMING EVENTS America’s races salutes the troops with 2009 July hosts  Rob Powers and Bart Yasso. Message from The Warrior Tours Co-Hosts: Rob Powers and Bart Yasso We’ve been fortunate to enjoy connections with some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the Olympics. The excitement of working with and competing against some of the most talented and dedicated athletes in the world has been a true honor. Now, though, we share an even greater sense of honor in our roles as co-hosts for the Warrior Tours. We are very proud to help connect servicemen and women with the people whose freedom they ensure through the sport of running. We hope you’ll stay on track with us as we follow the course of those who go the distance for us every day, America’s soldiers! Rob Powers, America’s Voice of Running since 1988,  is a former U.S. National Team Athlete and Olympic Teams Coach, Former US Armed Forces Sports Program Athlete, who served our country during the 1980′s as a member of the 2-172 Mountain Infantry Brigade. Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer of Runner’s World Magazine, also dubbed the “Mayor of Running,” is among the few to complete races on all seven continents. He developed the Yasso 800s marathon training schedule and authored My Life on the Run. Our speakers wil include: THE WARRIOR TOURS SPECIAL GUESTS FRANK SHORTER  Born on an Army base in Germany, and 24-time national champion, Shorter captured the Olympic Gold Medal in 1972 in the city of his birth (Munich). It was this performance that inspired the distance running boom in the U.S. He went on to claim the Silver Medal in the 1976 Olympics and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984. SANDRA MAGNUS  NASA Astronaut Sandra Magnus knows more than a little something about the need for fitness and endurance over long distances. Among her impressive work for NASA, she has traveled more than 4.5 million miles and spent three months in space as flight engineer and science officer for space station operation and repair missions. We’re looking forward to this “first” of an astronaut promoting fitness in a combat area of operation.  MAJOR DAN BROWNE  Browne earned All-American Honors and graduated from West Point in 1997. He received his lieutenant’s commission and signed onto the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. Dan will be joining us on later Warriors Tour events, as he has recently been named to the 2009 World Championships Marathon Team. Because of his strong support for our mission, we are pleased to recognize Dan as an honorary staff member until he is able to actively join us for the overseas events.

 

 

 

What a great weekend in Santa Ynez for the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon. Our arrival in Santa Barbara on Thursday was a bit surreal. We were enjoying a late lunch with ‘ritas on State Street as ash from the nearby fire was raining down on us. An hour later I was doing a book signing and talk at the Double Tree resort in SB – the beautiful beach and Pacific Ocean in front of us and a raging fire in the Los Padres National Forest behind us. We were able to do the short 30 minute drive up to Santa Ynez just before authorities close down Highway 154. (Highway 101 was open and a safe alternative throughout the weekend). My wife Laura got some spectacular photos from the passenger seat as we made our way to our B & B in Santa Ynez. Once in this beautiful wine country – also horse country  - all else was fine and calm. Air quality was healthy and the races – far from the fire were a go.

 

The day prior to the half marathon and relay got started with a bike tour I lead which followed the awesome 13.1 mile race route the next day – Santa Ynez thru Los Olivos (much of the movie “Sideways” was shot here) to the finish in the little Danish village of Solvang with time for a wonderful lunch at the beautiful Rusack Winery. But the wining didn’t end there – we continued later that evening with a relaxing wine tasting and appetizers at the gorgeous Roblar Winery in Los Olivos. I showed my slide show as well. So those were the first two parts of my triple crown of running – after the Saturday events – which were sold out well in advance. Following the race awards ceremony which was staged with wine tasting on Solvang town square, Race Director Matt Dockstetter, race announcer extraordinaire Whit Raymond and myself hosted a tour that took us to half a dozen wineries for those who wanted to further dehydrate themselves after their runs – complete with chauffeur – and the perfect triple crown in my opinion – a great alternative for those of us who didn’t run but wanted to experience this very special part of California. Remember this race sells out fast so sign up for 2010 asap. Check www.runsantaynez.com for more information.

The Lehigh Valley Half Marathon was a big success despite rain that started coming down just as most runners finished on the track in the stadium. However, it’s been two days and it seems like the rain hasn’t stopped. It was a pretty busy weekend with Laura having friends visit from NJ and California and visits with the Yasso tribe. Ultra extraordinaire Scott Jurek called to say he was going to be in town for a few days and would love to meet up with us. But before that, one of our friends Gail came over with a bunch of Ted Corbitt medals from the 50s and 60s. For those not in the know, Ted was considered the father of American ultrarunning. We were fortunate enough to get to meet him twice and talk to him about this passion – getting the 100K in the Olympics. Ted died in late 2007. His son has been going thru all of his memorabilia and Ted saved e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. He and Gail went thru old singlets, numerous newspaper clippings, trophies, plaques and medals – 100s of them. All will be  in storage until a museum or Hall of Fame can take them. As it is now – budget cuts seem to be preventing institutions from accepting these iconic contributions without a monetary donation as well. Gail asked Laura what to do with about 80+ of Ted’s lesser medals. They thought of giving them to a group that upcycles them but quickly the women realized that these medals should be in the hands of those who appreciated what Ted had done for the sport whether it be ultrarunning or his involvement with establishing the RRCA. Cynci, one of Laura’s peeps from CA helped categorize each of the medals and before the night was done they realized they had 88 medals  spanning a period of 35 years for races Ted either won or placed in – everything from a one -mile track race to a 50-mile trail ultr. Ted could do it all – and he did it all well. I gave Scott a 50 K medal. My wife picked out a marathon medal for us and we are helping distribute these medals to those who admired Ted. 

Last night we celebrated Laura’s birthday – quatro de Mayo – at Kome, our favorite Japanese restaurant in the Lehigh Valley. Scott  joined us as did Brit Keith Straw. Laura will be crewing Keith at the Badwater 135 this July. We thought it would be good for Keith (aka Tutuman as this speedy brit wears a self-made pink tutu during many of his races) to meet one of the great Badwater icons. Scott was kind enough to offer Keith some sage advice – mostly get your butt out there in the heat and get in the best shape of your life. Tonight we continue with the rain and another dinner, this time Indian, with Scott and Brian Sabin from work. The three of us had spent all day in the rain doing a video shoot in the parkway – and Sott thought he left all the rain at home when he left Seattle on Sunday!