I began today's run with a lot of trepidation and a $12 stretchy Walmart-bought knee brace on my left leg. The climate has definitely changed as we've come south because, while it's still pretty damn nippy at night, as soon as the sun comes up it's happy smile warm time all around.

My run took place here, which is somewhere, and there were just TONS of Joshua trees, almost like a forest. That there is some straight road and I ran along it for 2 miles as it slowly graded up, then turned around back the way I came. I don't know if it was the time, the advil or the brace, but I ran pain free and have remained pain free all day. This is tremendous news for me, because I was (and, honestly, remain) quite nervous about this issue so close to my race. I'm now cautiously optimistic, which is a better place mentally than I was a few days ago. I am still fully prepared to dnf this thing if I have to, but I'm beginning to think maybe I won't have to.

Goals for Saturday:
Start!
Make it halfway
Make it all the way
Be close to my PR (5:20 or so)
Better my PR (there's a lot of elevation loss and I like that)
Under 5???

Today's travels took us through Baker, CA. I don't know what would bring you to this town, as its existence seems only to service the highway (I15), but if you're traveling between LA and Vegas, do yourself a favor and stop here:




the Mad Greek, cause they have some damn fine food (really, really good) and baked stuff and ohmy it was a tasty treat.

Baker is apparently "famous" for having the World's Tallest Thermometer, which turned out to be quite the disappointment. I was expecting maybe this huge mercury thing, but it ended up being just a tallish spire with some digital displays up the side. Lame. I was much more impressed by the implications of the businesses nearby this giant
rectal
thermometer, namely Big Boy and the Bum Boy Motel (with free Movie Channel!)




Later on, we found this fantastic hot pond, which is just what you think and very much simply devine.




Tomorrow takes us into Death Valley, and probably out of cellphone range. I follow Saturday's race with a week or so long stay at my Favorite Place on Earth (NOT Disney, btw). I'll try to finagle another post, but this might be it for the next week.

Thanks for reading, all of your encouragement and advice, and have a great week!