After spending the night in an unbelievable room donated to us by the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon, CA, John put in another 40 miles.  If you ever get to the San Simeon area please make sure to ask for Ken Welch.  Ken is the manager at the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort.  Leaving San Simeon we encountered some picturesque views and very friendly people.  Travelling south on Rt. 1 we went through Morro Bay with the famous Morro Rock.  

After Morro Bay we went through the quaint, little town of Cayucos which appeared to be a modern day Norman Rockwell painting found right on the ocean.  Don't bother looking for chains of stores of any kind as you will not find them in Cayucos.  Only mom and pop stores, shops and restaurants.  The day was wrapped up with John being interviewed by a local video blogger.   

A very, very special thanks to Susan and Craig Updegrove.  The Updegroves were gracious enough to allow us to stay in their home with them.  They are also friend's of our close friend, Bob Becker.    

Today we experienced the best weather of the trip so far.  The starting temp was about 53 degrees and warmed up to almost 80 by 4:00PM.  We have to mention that when the sun starts setting the drop in temperature is very dramatic.  The day started out in Lucia, CA and ended in San Simeon, CA right across the huge field leading up to the famed Heart Castle.  It is also important to mention that today's miles were the toughest for John as the hills were steep and plenty.  John wrapped the day up finishing with another 40 miles in the bag.  Click here for an awesome compilation of footage take by the incomparable Buffer Boesch.

http://youtu.be/Fp5iHf6tvI4

Our ultra-runner John Pyle recounts his weekend at the Ancient Oaks 100-mile endurance race in Titusville, Fla.

As I drove to Titusville on Friday for the check-in dinner, I could tell I was coming down with something. Upon wake-up at 5 a.m. on Saturday (race day), I was feeling sick but I decided to go for it anyway. We drove to the Enchanted Forest race site and all the usual friendly smiles greeted us — the parking lot was a buzz of energy as we made our way to the start line.

At 7 a.m. sharp, we embarked on our 100-mile trek which would consist of 29 loops through the forest on trails that ranged from firm single track to sugar sand and board walk — the sugar sand wore away at me all day! At least the temps were comfortable 60s and 70s. I ran with an old friend Andy Mathews (pictured with me at right) for the first 20-ish miles and held a sub- 20 hour pace. 

Around 20 miles I was beginning to feel the effects of my on-setting illness and also had a nagging back ache causing great discomfort in my lower back and pulling on my abdominal mussels on my right side, which was exacerbated by the soft sand. I was suffering by 30 miles and began trying to workout the tightness by stretching but to no avail.

Dave Carver, a world class ultra runner, helped by working on my lower back several times in an effort to keep me moving. This man could have won the race if he was participating, but he's rehabbing an injury and came out just to help us! He was there for around 30 hours! This is the magic of the ultra running community.

At around 35 miles my friend and ultra badass Andrew Barrett showed up to pace “Andyman” Mathews. He asked how I was doing and when I told him of my muscle issues he gave me a prescription-strength anti-inflammatory and it worked! I was back on track turning faster laps and feeling like I could actually finish.