I originally registered for the half marathon, but the PF injury from 5 weeks ago is still an issue, so I changed to the 10K and walked it this morning. A very good walk! I met Bill, who's in the 85-90 age group (but doesn't look that age) and we chatted the whole way about his walking adventures. He prefers ultras to shorter races, but supports the races in the Salem area.
The weather was dry to start, the clouds were spitting on us the first half, then headwind and heavier rain on the way back. My original plan was to get off the road to take iris photos up close, but the rains we've had all week made it way too muddy to get off the road!
Some pics:
Sunday morning, we went to the Depot to the line of bus coaches that drove the runners to the start - nice coaches, and warm inside. Start temps were mid-30s. :) The race started at 9:00, and we got to the start at 8:30. Perfect timing for the portapotty lines. The Bizz Johnson is a rails-to-trails trail - very well maintained, and very easy grades. The trail is just over 25 miles long, so there was an out and back at the park where the start was to get the extra marathon distance.
Once on the trail, we enjoyed the beautiful Ponderosa open forests all the way. Mix of shade and sun, a light breeze, perfect running weather. Great scenery all the way!
Just after mile 19, was the only part of the trail that was not the rail grade. A bridge had been burned out, so there was a trail under the bridge, then down to the river under the highway bridge, then back up to the original grade at mile 20. I could tell I was running between 4,000 and 5,000' already, but especially after that climb to the 20 mile aid station! :)
I had been running 4/1s until that steeper trail, then did more power walking with some running breaks the last 10K. It was so pretty out there along the Susan River. A big group of bikers passed me about mile 22, they were a class, and a fun bunch of kids and staff. There were two tunnels in this section, too, very fun to run through. 
Reg met me just after mile 25. He and my sis had been hiking at Lassen Nat'l Park while Harold and I were marathoning. We were just ahead of the first major storm front of the fall/winter season-my arthritic toe was telling me-and he said there was almost no one at the park.
To the finish! My finish time was 6:11, Harold finished 4:27 (yes!), and we headed for home. I did a baby wipe bath and changed clothes in the Shell station restroom. On the way back to I-5, we stopped at an overlook where there had been a recent fire. Mt. Lassen was already being clouded over. A last pic of Mt. Shasta before we stopped for supper then hit the road again. This was a great marathon! 
