AMERICAN RIVER 50 MILER- THE NIGHT BEFORE

Raj and I hit the road and arrived at Fleet Feet to pick up our race ribbons/racers packet. We saw quite a few familiar faces and managed to decrease the weight of our wallets thanks to a blow-out sale at the store.

Afterwards, Raj needed to call Norm Klein regarding some race directors material. Norm, as many of you know, is the race director of the Rio Del Lago 100 miler. He was for many many years the race director for Western States 100 and transformed that race into much of the present structure including aid stations, food for the racers, etc. He is also a 2 time finisher of the Hawaii Ironman race and one hell of a nice guy.

So we planned on a quick stop over at Norm's place (he was helping Raj with the Ruth Anderson ultraraces as Raj is now the race director. YOU ALL SHOULD RUN RUTH ANDERSON - fast course, great format of a 50k/50mile/100k options and strong race support see: Ruth Anderson)

Amyway, we stopped by and were met by Norm and his wife Helen. For those who do not know Helen Klein, let me tell you we were greated by a living legend. Helen is a finisher of multiple 100 mile events (100+ ultra finishes), the oldest person to ever finish the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, a member of a top finishing team of the eco-challenge, top finisher and winner of Marathon des Sables, a finisher of almost ANY race that has ever been run and the holder of over 10 age group World Records! see: Helen Klein The walls of their home were as if an exhibit from the Endurance Hall of Fame.


We spoke with them for a bit and were invited to stay for supper. Helen made a great salad and pasta dinner. We were entertained with stories of Helen's and Norm's athletic accomplishments, their lives together and past race directing.

Norm showed us around his home which included his very impressive cactus gardens.