It was one of those fantastic, spring-like days out there, above the clouds, with no wind, a clear sky, and unlimited visibility. How fortunate I am to be able to do such things. And then to come back to an equally exciting evening at The Seasons, where good friends and gracious people shared a great meal, good wine, fabulous music, and some honest-to-goodness fun.

It really was an inspirational evening. The award I received for Most Inspirational Runner 2004 is what I want to talk about a bit.

Just friends helping friends
Charlie: I really appreciate those great things you said about me. I really do. Many of you may not believe it, but until Charlie Johnson brought up The Last Great Race (LGR, a series of six ultra-marathons), I was searching my mind, trying to come up with the runner. You see, I don't consider myself an inspiration. The things Charlie talked about were things I think friends do for friends, teammates do for teammates, people do for people.

Personally, I am inspired by those like the young people afflicted with Cerebral Palsy who traveled 150 miles to be at the finish line of my first marathon, a fund-raiser I did for them so they could build an unassisted living facility. It was because of them I ran and raised many thousands of dollars.

Adrian Crane is an inspiration. He plans on living in the "Death Zone" for a while, up at an elevation where your body is literally dying faster than it can revive itself.

Barbara Miller is an inspiration. She refuses to let a number (age) dictate her speed. Dale (Ghaner) is an inspiration. I can't imagine how deep he had to dig in order to finish Way Too Cool under the cutoff.

Loretta (Ghaner) and her work with cancer and Relay for Life is an inspiration. Charlie and Marsha train first-time marathoners with Team In Training. That's true inspiration, as is the work Vicky and Jeff do with young, developing athletes and the Central Valley Roadrunners. And Al and Jan are big-time inspirations: they have forever changed their son-Theo's- life. This club is absolutely chock-full of inspirations!

For the love of running
Me--I'm not afflicted, nor am I living a difficult, deprived or impoverished existence. I'm not tough. I'm not fast. I'm surely not an exceptional runner. I have no foot speed, no natural ability, no special skills. In fact, anyone who has run trails with me knows that I have hugged Mother Nature more than most - I rarely stay on my feet for an entire trail run. And you know what: I'm not even a real experienced runner.

But I love running trails. I love the outdoors. I love the smells, the sights, the way the sun and air feel and change, the rain, the wildlife, the challenge of moving through the wilderness, and the anticipation of getting over that next hill just to see the other side. I love the solitude of 100 miles of trail. It is that love that led me to The Last Great Race.

Did I have an exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime year in 2004? I did. I am not ashamed to say that I am but the 29th runner to complete the LGR. I have the sixth fastest time overall. I was the ninth oldest guy to do it. And of those 50 and older, I have the fastest combined time. I am probably the only one to have soloed all six events.

I had a great year, a proud year, even an extraordinarily memorable year - but not an inspirational one. If you knew how many times I got off-trail last summer, including within 1 mile of the finish of the final race, I couldn't inspire you to follow me to the bathroom (in fact, I'm going to ask Stan Jensen for special recognition in the LGR for having run the most miles)! Why do I say I didn't have such an inspirational year?

Setting a goal and reaching it
First, there was only one difference between you and me last season: I set a goal and I achieved it. I focused intensely on that goal and never let go of it.

As I began having difficulty finding pacers, I moved forward instead of back and figured out how to work the problem into my plans. I had a goal.

Living your dream
I watched all of you, I learned from all of you, I applied what I learned. My point: I lived my dream. I have the same familial, financial, professional and time burdens as all of you. Goodness only knows my bank account couldn't afford last summer.

And the property will probably be a disorganized mess for another year. But it was time to do something and I did it. So can you. Remember this: Each and every one of you is but one decision away from a most inspirational year! One decision.

Second, I was just a conduit. Although I am proud of doing all six races without a pacer, I was never really alone. I had friends, family, my wife and all of you to inspire me throughout the year.

For one of the few times in my life, I learned how to properly put to use all that talent, support, skill, knowledge and friendship. You were constantly with me, even when I was out on-course (where were you when I was lost?!). All of you were my inspiration in 2004.

It's the journey, not the destination
One last thought: I learned one more very important lesson last year, one that philosophers have been promoting forever. Angeles Crest was the final run in the series, and I had long envisioned crossing that finish line with a raised fist, leap and loud holler. I had planned to celebrate.

But instead, when I crossed the finish line, I bent over, placed my hands on my knees, and stared at the ground. Not because I was tired or thankful (it goes without saying I was both), but because it was over. The journey had ended.

Suddenly, I had nowhere else to go. I had learned something that doesn't come naturally to me: it's the journey that's important, not the destination. It truly is. And my journey had ended. All of a sudden, times or records didn't matter--I still needed a journey. Last summer, I learned to live and I learned to live in the moment. Make goals, have wants, but don't forget to live each and every day. It really is the journey after all! Two recent country hits say it best: "dance" and "live like you were dying."

A heartfelt 'thank you'
I would have liked to have told you this Saturday night. Even though I have considerable experience speaking in front of large groups, I was so surprised and overwhelmed, I could barely speak, let alone think. Now that you've heard it, I again want to say that I graciously, gratefully and humbly accept the recognition. It means a lot and puts the final touch on a memorable year. Thank you. You're an inspiration.

-Happy, inspired running
Frank