I had the pleasure of running with D&G on the final leg from south of Twin Peaks through to the Golden Gate Bridge. Having last seen them on Friday during the Mission Peak leg, they were in great spirits, happy to be almost finished.

At the top of the Twin Peaks Ridge, they saw the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time since Napa, Don said. He was still using the poles, but his knee felt good, better on the uphills than the downhills. Although the Trail is mostly streets at this point, the stately homes on Twin Peaks and near Buena Vista Park were pleasant eye-candy. And gratefully, the fog stayed high which kept the temperature quite mild and cool.

As they crossed the Panhandle, they met Dan who had some tacos, and then it was up Arguello to the Presidio's Arguello Gate. At that point, there was intermittent dirt trail, so Don folded up his poles for the rest of the trip. They navigated the odd turns and twists through the Presidio, past the Parade Grounds, across Lincoln, and onto the the Coastal trail. Both Don and Gillian really enjoyed seeing the ocean post-sunset with the glow of the Golden Gate Bridge looming above them as they ran past the old batteries and up to the finish.

Wendell, Sarah, Chuck and Dan met Don and Gillian to congratulate them on their epic run and to share in their memories of their favorite and toughest sections. Whether you supported them by running with them, crewing a segment, or just keeping them in your thoughts, they appreciated all the help.

What they set out to do was to run the Bay Area Ridge Trail. On the way, they showed the very best of the human spirit. To paraphrase Tennyson, they strove, they sought, they found, and they did not yield.

Congratulations!!

It is accomplished - they finished at about 8:30 pm their time!

I'll let the runners or eyewitnesses fill in the details.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Sigh .... where's a live web cam when you need it?

Gillian called about 6.00pm. They are in San Fran with about 10 miles to go to the finish. They sound great and very happy except for having to run on roads now.

Talked to Don at 2:30 p.m. PST. He said they were in Pacifica, 16-17 miles from the finish, and feeling good. They expect to arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge between 7:00-8:00 p.m. this evening!!!

I am pleased to be submitting an entry for what looks like it will truly be the final day of this great adventure.

Don called our mom at about 8:10 CA time. They were about 45 minutes into today's run. The total mileage for today will be 36.7 miles.

Don said this is a fun day, and he's feeling good - like he maybe ran a 50-miler yesterday (!).

Thomas Beck is leading them through the watershed, and Dan Blong is crewing today.

Wini and Lee crewed yesterday, Wini joining them in the late morning, Lee later. They brought goodies that included sandwiches from Whole Foods.

A catch-up posting about Sept 1st:

From Paul & Ann (Gillian's mother),

I picked up Gillian & Don Mon morning and they were looking good. I brought over some chicken tiki pita bread sandwiches and bags of Ann's new famous saddle-back potatoes for G&D to take with them on their run. We finally made it out to where they had left off the night before, near Metcalf Park. We took some photos and off they went.

We got a call from Gillian - 7:30pm PST. They were still on their way to Sanborn Park, with an ETA of midnight. So they won't be getting a ton of sleep tonight. But they just keep trucking along.

(Picked G and D up last night about 1.00am.)

I had the pleasure of meeting Don and Gillian yesterday afternoon at the Hicks Road crossing between Quicksilver and Sierra Azul. They consumed mass quantities of water (along with some snacks) and then I was able to accompany them about halfway up the trail towards Mt Sombroso. The flies were merciless! I left them so I could descend before dark.

I must confess I was a Doubting Thomas - thinking they'd only make it to Lexington Reservoir, but when I picked them up this morning, the Indefatigable Duo told me that they had ascended Black Road to the trailhead (they didn't know until their Crew arrived that the trailhead was near the top of the road). They began this morning around 8AM at the beginning of the Skyline Trail in Sanborn Park and expect to follow the trail through Saratoga Gap, Long Ridge, Skyline, Russian Ridge, to a road stretch to Windy Hill, then another road stretch to Wunderlich, then following the Skyline Trail to Huddart and Purissima and eventually to Hwy. 92. Lee and Wini will crew for them later in the day.

My update is less current than Mark's - good to hear that the day continued to go well.

Don called me at about 8:30 am his time, when they were on the way to Santa Theresa.

He said that they weren't attempting many miles Monday - about 36 - but that it would be slow going. For part of the route, they would have to be carrying 140-180 oz of water. Moreover, the day's miles included a big climb, as they ascended the Ridge. Tuesdaythey will travel along the top, and the final day will be downhill (good planning!).

Hope Don and Gillian will be able to fall into bed before too late Monday night - a reward for their labors on Labor Day.

I met up with Don and Gillian at around 12:00 pm at the start of the Los Alamitos trail coming out of Santa Theresa park (10 miles into today's stretch). Just happened to pull up as they were RUNNING down the hill. Amazing. They seemed in good spirits and were enjoying being off the roads today. They gobbled up some snacks and headed for Quicksilver (4.5 miles of trail) followed by Sierra Azul OSP for a tough but beautiful 12.5 miles to Lexington Reservior. Hopefully they found the water and snacks I stashed for them as the temps should have been fairly high in the exposed sections. They will probably finish the Sierra Azul section at around 9pm I would guess. As left them they were running yet again. Wow!

After a day of much needed rest, D&G came out very strong to continue their epic journey Sunday morning. As George mentioned, they moved along at a consistently strong pace and in good spirits throughout the day, from 237 & Piedmont at 6:20 am through to Metcalf Park, in South San Jose at about 11 pm, a total of about 46 miles.

Don used my trekking poles throughout the day, which seemed to do the job of easing the paining in his left quad, especially on the down hills. If Gillian's knee was bothering her, you would never know it to watch her run (always very smooth) and she never complained of it, just stretched and massaged it from time to time, while stopping to refill.

The awesome duo stopped for lunch under the trees at Quimby Rd. where the Heron Trail, in Grant Park, crosses. Along with a lot of other goodies, George Miller brought pizza and Gillian made sandwiches.

Today's course also afforded me some time to join them on the trail:) I did this by running in to meet them from the end of the Alum Rock trail and again on the first section of the Heron trail. Then after lunch, I got to join them for the 8 mile out and back section of the Heron trail, which was a real pleasure with warm sun, great views, and plenty of good breezes.

While I took George back to his car in Alum Rock Park, D&G ran down Quimby Rd. to the floor of the valley, where I met them for a taco dinner in a parking lot under some trees. Afterwards, they ran on to Coyote Hellyer Park, which is a long narrow park along the creek, for their final 6-7 mile stretch of the day. This park closes at sunset and all gates are closed and locked with them inside:(

It was hard to track them through this section and we tried to coordinate our relative positions by cell phone comparing where we were relative to aircraft that we could both see flying over the area. At the end, they reached Metcalf park, but I couldn't find it! I never did see a sign for it, as it is hidden behind a residential section, but found D&G walking along Monterrey Rd. near by.

Monday Sept 1...Yesterday (8/31), I had the pleasure of keeping company with our runners from Alum Rock Park to some point 9 hours later near Mt. Hamilton. While their total miles are accumulating at a rapid rate (somewhere around 375), their pace was extremely consistant throughout the day and their spirits were high. A HUGE thanks to Chuck Wilson for his mobile aid station which stayed with us the entire way as it was a gift from the gods!

It was an honor to run in the company of two who think and then act on such a grand scale. If you can make the time, seize the opportunity to link up with them as they turn the corner and head north to the end of their adventure. You won't regret it.

(~: George

Don called our mom at about 7:30 pm CA time. She said he sounded good and said the day had gone well.

They were in San Jose, with just 7 miles left to go today. Don was looking forward to a decent night's sleep.

They had just eaten tacos.

Today's route included Alum Rock and Joseph T. Grant Park. Sounds like Don's leg was bothering him a bit at first, but then the weather warmed up, which helped.

Chuck and George have been wonderful help. Each ran about 10 miles w/D & G. Chuck will bring them home tonight.

George left them an apple pie he had baked, decorated with running figures on the top crust.

Don said he was using some sort of walking sticks (?), which take some of the weight off his legs; I don't know the details.

Toward the end of day 7, I developed some pain in the left quad (the vastus medialis). I thought it was just a mild muscle cramp, but it was still there the next day, along with tendon pain and crepitus.

Gillian had developed some substantial knee pain (I think the cold evening weather on day 7 didn't help either of us -- gotta love those 100+ degree days :-)

So, we decided to stop after Mission Peak and take a rest day, rather than risk serious injury.

Thanks to all the volunteers -- what an amazing group of people!

We've decided to take today, Saturday, as a rest day. We have 4 days to go after this, so the new plan is to finish on Wednesday. We'll be starting just outside of Ed Levin Park tomorrow morning, on our way to Alum Rock Park.

Hi everyone. Don and I are back at home base. We stopped just after Ed Levin park today. Jeffery drove us back to my place. Thanks Jeffery for sticking around!
We are figuring out what to do with our bad legs. We won't be finishing on Monday. Stay tuned for a revised plan. We are getting much needed sleep now to heal our bodies.

I met Don, Gillian and Glen at Niles this morning. Don and Gillian seemed more rested after a night in Glen's care, although Don was having a little problem with his knee. The day progressed slowly over Mission Peak. But the weather being a bit cooler than in recent days.

At the end of the day, I dropped D&G in Mt. View. They were in good spirits, and mentioned that they would let everyone know how they were doing and how their plans were panning out. They were quite appreciative of all the help that everyone has given them. I am sure they look forward to a good night's sleep.

Don & Gillian finished Day 7 at 1:15 am on Friday in Niles. Despite tired feet and cumulative lack of sleep, they were in extremely good spirits throughout the day. We all decided to cut the segment a little short when the pace had fallen off a bit. We all felt that a few hours sleep would be best, and they would be spending the night at Glen's house (full service lodging also includes laundry service!). Glen was a tremendous help pacing from MacDonald Staging Area. He has a real knowledge of the East Bay Trails and his help was appreciated as he guided D&G through Chabot, EBMUD, Cull Canyon and the circuitous Five Canyons area. I joined them through Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer, where we hiked in the dark (turning off the lights when we neared the ranger's office and his barking dog!). We then went along Mission, then skirted over to Niles Blvd to avoid the traffic.

We were blessed with cooler weather (mid to high 50s at times) and fog, though it got cold during stops. Glen brought some ultra running staples - fresh fruit, applesauce, boiled potatoes and tuna sandwiches. I seemed to get a thumbs up with the pizza, slim jims and cashews.

Don called our mom at about 9 pm CA time. His cell phone was cutting out, so he couldn't talk long.

According to Mom's report, Don sounded good. He said it was cold (maybe about 50 deg?), and the fog was coming in. They were bundled up.

He sounded hopeful about getting a bit more sleep tonight - had about 12 miles to go? They're staying with Glen tonight.

They were at Garin- not sure where that is on the route.

Thanks for calling, Don.

Gillian called at 3:55 pm Thurs (CA time) and said they were on East Bay MUD property going to Cull Canyon. The cooler weather was helping them. The cell phone call was cut off after only 1-2 mins so that is all I got.

D&G left this morning in good spirits, if not terribly well rested. They finished yesterday's run at about 2 a.m. and got back up at 6 a.m. this morning. They hit the trail before 8 a.m. and will run from Skyline Gate to the Lake Chabot Marina and then south through a combination of roads and parks to Ohlone College at the foot of Mission Peak. 44 miles total today, they are more than halfway done!

Thanks, Sarah! I guess I can stop checking the CCT website.

Could someone pick up a few extra copies of the paper, for Don to send to his fan club in Minnesota? I'm sure he'll scan in the pictures, eventually.

Awaiting news about day 7 ...

Two REALLY nice pictures (one running, one kayaking) and a paragraph about Don & Gillian appear on page A13 of the Contra Costa Times today. I've searched the CC Times web site, and there's nothing available - I guess that it's because the text just accompanies the photos, it's not really an article. So I'll just retype it:

AROUND THE RIDGE IN 11 DAYS - Gillian Robinson of Mountain View and Don Lundell of Boulder Creek, left and right respectively in both photos, paddled into the Martinez Marina on Wednesday after kayaking across the Carquinez Strait. The pair are on day six of their 11-day Run for the Ridge journey along the route of the planned 440-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail. The recreational trail will link the Bay Area's parks, open spaces and communities with access to the region's ridge tops. At 234 miles, over half of the trail is completed with another 30 miles expected to open this fall. Robinson and Lundell had to kayak across the strait because there is currently no pedestrian access on the Benecia Bridge. Afterward, the pair jogged away from the marina, continuing their journey. The last adventure the two undertook was a 100-mile run in Death Valley.

Finally found the one newspaper article (I'd been checking the wrong web site):

http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=049B7017-C72D-440D-851F-B30A0CDDF3DB

Nothing yet at the Contra-Costa Times (if I've got *that* right).

Forgot to mention that I added Don and Gillian to our prayer list at church this week, in the bulletin I send out each Tuesday.

I've shared the web links with a few church friends.

Great to hear from some others, including folks who have housed, fed, or paced our runners - thanks!

Today is day 6 - so D & G have passed the midway point! Don talked to our mom twice today.

This morning he reported that the kayak trip was wonderful. They'd gotten a bit of a late start and were planning to cut a bit off the day's planned schedule. They'd gotten 6 hours of sleep last night.

Don called again at about 7:30 (CA time) to say that indeed it has become *cold*! Tropical John was to meet them with jackets and burritos.

They were at Kennedy Grove with about 6 hours left to go tonight; they'll stay with Trop. John tonight.

Our intrepid pair were met by yours truly for lunch along Alhambra Valley Road at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. They are both in good spirits and neither has any significant injury. Both are tired and dragging a bit, but they both have healthy appetites. The weather has cooled and is very pleasant, about 80F during midday and will be much cooler along the Berkeley hills tonight. I expect that they will make it to Inspiration Point at about dark.

They are about 10 miles behind the published schedule and will stop tonight at my house, about 1/2 mile from Skyline Gate.

They are scheduled to depart on Thursday at 7 a.m., will follow West Ridge Trail to Golden Spike and cross into Chabot Park at McDonald Gate. Thursday's conclusion will come at Ohlone College in Fremont.

Gillian called at 5:30 pm Wed (CA time) and said they were in Pinole Valley Park. They finally digested the bacon cheeseburgers that Tropical John brought them on Alhambra Valley Rd.

Said the kayaking was fun, took about a half hour to get across.

They thought it was going to be a late night tonight.
Noww, I understand why they call it zombierunner...
- Georgina (Gillian's sister)

Don & Gillian finished up last night around 10:30, ate burgers on the way to our place, and were in bed before 12:00, I think. (I fell asleep while they were getting cleaned up.) They seemed to get a good night's sleep and got up at 6:30 to drive back to the kayak crossing at 7:30. Wendell got them there just after 8:00, and the reporter was already waiting on the far side to talk to them when they arrived.

More on day 5 (Tuesday): Don called sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 their time; they were at Rockville. Not quite as hot as earlier days. Wendell was feeding them tacos!

Wed morning: the kayaks.

Day 5: Don called at about 8:45 am. They'd managed to get 3.5-4 hours of sleep, which he said was good (?). It's cooler this morning and may stay cooler today.

They were going through a park and ranch, accompanied by the ranchowner on horseback (first time Don has been paced by a horse). They stayed at this ranch last night

They'll end at the waterfront tonight, to be ready for their kayak crossing tomorrow morning. The Contra Costa Times will be there to cover the kayak crossing.

The reporter this morning was from the Napa Times-Register; that article should appear tomorrow or Thursday (I'll post a link when it does).

Food: Wendell brought them sub sandwiches yesterday!

Don told me that day 3 ended up being a MUCH longer day than anticipated; they weren't done until 4:30 am. (That's right: 4:30 in the morning.) Gillian slept for an hour or so - Don didn't sleep at all. It must have been rough to get going again, facing another day in grueling heat, without sleep.

Here's hoping day 5 is a cooler and easier day. This morning Gillian and Don were going to be interviewed by a reporter - maybe the same one from the Napa Valley Register.

Belated entry for day 4 (8/25): Don called at about 11:40 am to report that they were just reaching the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain.

He sounded very winded and described the climb as brutal. It was also brutally hot; Don thought it was close to 100 degrees,

He called again later, about 6:30 pm, to say they were descending into Napa Valley and had about 4 hours left to go today, in easy terrain.

It had cooled off and was down in the 80s. Wendell had been crewing and would be there again on Tuesday. Sarah was to come in the evening.

Don described the steak as amAzing! to our Mom.

Today's pacers, Lee & Wini (pacing in a van) provided fresh-turkey sandwiches for lunch. (Don't tell me these ultrarunners aren't in it for the food!)

On day 3, D & G had reached Jack London Park by about 1 pm; again, it was HOT.

Don and Gillian left Novato for their Sunday run at 6:30 AM, rejuvenated by 6 hours of sleep (and a steak dinner)as opposed to only 4 1/2 hours on Friday night.

Don said that the steak dinner was the best he ever had!

They are both in good spirits and looking forward to Day Three.

Go Don and Gillian!

Another update on day 2. At about 7:20 pm, Don and Gillian were at Petaluma, with 7 miles to go. Saturday was HOT, with temps over 90; Sunday is to be even hotter, but then it's expected to cool.

Don called today - day 2 - at about 11:40 am CA time. They were going into Mt Burdell and had covered about 10 miles of today's course. He said today is a light-mileage day, and he sounded good.

Go Don & Gillian!

Clarification from Juli (Don's sister): Loma Alta was late Friday (day 1), though my entry was dated Saturday. Hope day 2 is going well ....

Don called to report that he and Gillian were climbing Loma Alta at 8 pm and had two hours left to go.

Just getting ready to leave for the Golden Gate.

Should be a nice day.

Weather forecast into next week is:

EXTENDED FORECAST MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...
HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING WEST FROM THE DESERT
WILL INCREASE HEIGHTS/THICKNESSES MONDAY FOR A
WARM DAY ALL ACROSS THE DISTRICT...SINCE THE FLOW
WILL BE MORE PARALLEL TO THE COAST. A COOL DOWN IS
EXPECTED TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AS ANOTHER LONG
WAVE TROF AND CUT OFF LOW IS FORECAST TO
MOVE TO THE COAST...SUPPRESSING THE RIDGE.

See you all in 11 days!

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