Running 14+ with help from the ladies

Let me start by saying I love running. I started out this morning in Indian Wells (close to Palm Springs). My goal was to get in a long run on some trails that left the Living Desert Zoo. I started running  from my hotel on the road with palm trees lining my path and my goal in my sights. 

My goal was to run Eisenhower Peak the Mt. in the background of this picture. So after about 4.5miles I got to the entrance of the Living Desert Zoo.

http://www.livingdesert.org/ which is a fun zoo to take your kids to by the way. 

Upon arriving at the zoo entrance I relized that I really didn't know where the hiking/running trails even started. So naturally I took the opportunity to talk to this elderly woman who looked like she was going on an African Safari. Let my paint the picture: a little old lady wearing a full brimmed safari hat, safari long sleeve tech shirt, convertible pants/shirts, hiking boots, and sun glasses attached with a lanyard hanging around her neck. All the clothes were either green or tan. Anyways I walked up to the old safari explorer and say,"do you know how to get to the hiking trails?" Silly question I know....she looks ready to go into the wild. But she was very nice in an awesome grandmotherly type of way. She explained that the trails were located within the park and that you had to pay an admission fee to the park to access the trails. I was like ,"aw man." She replied with a smile, "I have a season pass and I get free guest passes." 

After free admission I was off and running through the desert. 

With the zoo and the valley at my back I had the freedom to enjoy the hills. After 7.5 of running I rounded a corner and at a picnic table sat a group of ladies. 

L

"Hey runner! Come join us!" They said excitedly. "We have chocolate! Do you want some?" Walking up to the group with I smile, "I'll take some chocolate." It was like a full aid station at an ultra marathon... Chocolate, fruit, bars, an assortment of liquids, trail mix, etc. I spent 10-15 just hanging out, eating, and talking about zip lines. It was just what I needed in the middle of a run. They were very graceous and wanted to give me more food than I needed and they wanted to give me tequila. 

Renergized from interactive fuel station I continued down the trail. I was blessed with views of the valley and awesome trail. Once I hit the pavement again I had a full blown runners high that carried me to the finish. 

For full stats from my run click on the link below. If you have garmin add me user name: gfizzell 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/692916719