We ran, we panted, we socialized, we played good music, we feasted, and we "baked our clams" all at the Striders Clambake and Run held on a coastal Sunday, September 10th. This has been a long-honored annual club event, enjoyed by runners and non-runners alike, and includes a beautiful run along the "Skyline To The Sea" trail in the Santa Cruz hills down to Wadell Beach on Highway 1.

A bit of history here. We used to actually dig a pit and bake clams at the beach after the run, hence the namesake. After several years of "are they done yet?" asked by starving runners, we switched to barbecuing salmon and mahi mahi fillets. Also nice, but a bit much to orchestrate for a big, hungry crowd. In our increasing wisdom and age (did I say that?) we now enjoy clam and salmon chowders, along with various potluck items on a beautiful private bluff above Wadell Beach on the Coast Highway.

The feast commences after the runners come in, sweaty, tired and hungry! The traditional run has been a 12 mile distance, starting at Big Basin Headquarters down to the coast--trail name, "Skyline To The Sea." It is a beautiful, redwood shrouded path that follows a stream for a good part of the way (with a vista point of lovely Berry Creek Falls) and is a pleasure to run. Back in the early 1990s, the run length was extended to include either an 18 or 30 mile trek option for those wishing to "ultrathon it" to the beach. This run starts at the Gap, top of Saratoga hills, and runs down to Big Basin HQs for 18, or all the way on to the coast for 30 miles.

7am comes early for the start time of the 18 and 30 mile distances but wow, it is so beautiful in the early morning up in the hills with the fog blanketing Silicon Valley below. This year the ultra runners included: Patrick Saxton, Bill Jones, Rebecca Feng, Mike Shields (all did 18 miles--congratulations!) and Jean Pommier, Penny Beeston, Steve Reagan, Amanda Williams, Tom Kaisersatt, Christina Brownsen, and myself (all did 30--ya da!). The strong 12 milers included Don Murdoch, Larry Phelan, Claire Saxton, Emily Cross, and Peter Baum--good on 'ya! The runs were enjoyed by all, with a lot of camaraderie, support and encouragement all around. I know I really enjoy running with others, and the folks who were out there on the trails this year were great people to be with. Thank you for a really enjoyable run through the beautiful Santa Cruz hills my fellow running mates. You guys are awesome!

Assisting the longer distance runners in their efforts to run to the beach were Peter Baum and Andrew Jonston, who provided aid at three points along the way. We were glad to see them and the "ultra-smorgasbord" they provided...watermelon slices, boiled potato chunks with salt for dipping, M&Ms and pretzels and of course, Gatorade and water. Peter even threw in some Hershey's chocolate for added muster on the trails. And of course, their welcoming smiles were wonderful! Thank you both so much for taking the time to do this and supporting the runners to run well and go the distance in good shape!

Rebecca and Mike took a little, uh, "scenic detour" and ran on some "new" trails. All turned out well as Penny, Amanda, Tom and Mark helped out to locate them and make sure they made it down to Big Basin safely--thank you to these folks for their caring and efforts. I think next year, we will all have copies of the map to carry with us...a new Clambake tradition! :) What's an event without a little adventure, right?!

Well, maybe we don't want it THAT exciting again! Mike and Rebecca were fine, just enjoying the scenery and taking some lovely photographs--thanks Rebecca.

Several of us went and played in the ocean after the long run and let the cold water relieve some sore muscles, while others ate and socialized up on the bluff. Big Creek Lumber Co. lets the club use their private land for our event each year. When I went over to their offices on the coast earlier in the week before the event to pick up the permit (SOMEBODY had to do it, suffer through a beautiful morning coast side!), I spoke with Ellen who issued us our permit and she related to me that the Striders are one of their favorite groups to issue to. They appreciate our respect of the land and our thorough clean-up job afterward. We are fortunate to have this bluff to picnic on, much thanks to Big Creek Lumber Co.

A big, satisfied THANK YOU to both Penny and Bill for taking the time and effort to supply our feast with delicious salmon and clam chowders. They kept the tradition going--hats off to you both! Another big thanks to Andrew for rising very early to get a van-load of sleepy runners up to Saratoga Gap so folks would not have to retrieve cars from there after the run and picnic--thank you, thank you! Penny and I shopped for and prepared the aid station food--also, a big thank you to her wonderful son Angus for letting me help cut up the watermelon with him! He was my taste-tester and performed this task magnificently, I must say! Jean and Larry, thank you for leading the way and taking up the rear down the trails from Big Basin HQ to the beach. Rebecca and Jean, thank you for taking some wonderful pictures for us to enjoy and have good memories with.

The Board will be looking at how to "fine tune" this event, talking about such things as smoothing out the organization of carpools, providing trail maps to all runners, trail safety issues, and other items to help make this event even more enjoyable. Please give us your valuable feedback as this will help us in this process and will provide helpful information for next year's Board.

On a personal note: I have been with the Striders for 25 years now (joined when I was 5 years old...uh huh...! ) and I truly value the friendships I've made and the many good people that make up this club. Supporting and valuing each other both in athletics and in life, caring about how a fellow club member is doing, encouraging a person to perform her or his best...I have been both recipient and giver, and I feel much gratitude for this experience and for this important "family" in my life over these years. I know having the club to come to has helped me cope with some painful and difficult times in my life, running with good people has helped so much. Thank you to the many of you who live the values of caring, respect, integrity and support for others and show it as a Strider, both to our own members and others we greet on the trails. My deepest gratitude.

Stride on………… . . . . . . .

Peggy