NEWS FLASH: 

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

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!

While I enjoy being on the road I love being home especially after a long winter thaw. After a week in Boston and then in Big Sur I am more than ready to stay home and help out our local club, the Lehigh Valley Road Runners of Allentown, with our premiere event – the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon and 5K – this year held on the first Sunday in May. The LVRR also hosts a day of kids races – the day before – more than 1,000 kids form age 4 to 132 participate in these races run on the main drag in Allentown. The half marathon which has more than 3,000 runners sells out well in advance and why shouldn’t it? Pre-race seminars, great pasta dinner with guest speakers, nice medal, fast course, scenic course through our beautiful parkway complete with a run through an old covered bridge and bands about every mile –  you can’t go wrong.