Letters from Home: Bisbee Date :)

Children reinvent your world for you - Susan Sarandon

Nine years ago next month Morgan came home from school extremely excited. Her P.E. teacher had given her an entry form for the Bisbee 1000 and suggested that she participate. Morgan LOVED running. Morgan was only nine and there was NO WAY this mother was going to let her little girl run by herself through the streets of Bisbee. Much to my dismay Dad, brother and sisters, ALL had other things to do that day. Not wanting to disappoint Morgan I said that I would "run" with her. (We all know that I do not run) I had two, maybe three weeks to get in shape. The third Saturday in October came quickly. Morgan and I went to Bisbee. Hundreds of people participate in the Bisbee1000. I was not even able to run the distance to the first set of stairs before I told Morgan to continue on without me. I would try to catch up later. I never did, but she was waiting patiently for me at the finish. It was a grueling experience. I was in pain for days afterwards. Morgan run, skipped and visited along the route. She came in second in her division. After the pain diminished and several months passed I decided to try the stair climb ONCE more. This time I would prepare months in advance. The next year Randy and Alison also joined us. Randy and I have enjoyed participating in the Bisbee 1000 many times since then.

This year Kathy and maybe Ron are also joining in the FUN!

Saturday Randy and I had a Bisbee date to help get us prepared. Below is a little of what we experienced. The Bisbee1000 consists of a 5K run/walk through old Bisbee which includes 9 sets of stairs.

This is the 5th set of stairs. 151 steps up. Not to bad, except that they immediately follow the 4th set of stairs which include 78 steps. Once I finish this one the rest is a cinch! Plenty of walking time in between stairs.

But remember - this is Old Bisbee. The roads we travel on are up, down and rutted!

It is said that those who look for beauty find it.

Bisbee is an eclectic town. Lots of beauty if you take time to look.

This home is on Tombstone Canyon between Stairs 6 and 7.

I loved the Ivy growing along these steps. It probably will be trimmed away before the race.

Randy was best looking thing I saw!

I always want to go shopping and buy flowers after I visit Bisbee.

Unique fencing materials.

The set of stairs in this photo are not part of the course. They are the IceMan stairs. 155 steps. The IceMan is a separate competition. Participants carry a 10 pound block of ice using Ice Tongs up these set of stairs. I have always wanted to climb these stairs. Saturday we did. It was tough enough getting my legs to make the climb. Probably won't enter that competition.

Randy and I took a break from the stairs and window shopped.