There were parrots flying around Sycamore Canyon State Park on Sunday. I thought I was hallucinating after a hard run in hot weather, but less than an hour after getting a skeptical response from Kevin Young, three green parrots flew by the finish line.

I was there for a Pacific Coast Trail Run event. They offered an 8k, 18k, 30k and 50k. I, not yet totally insane, opted for the 8k.

This was only my second trail race, and as I ran/walked up what seemed like the world’s longest 750-foot high hill, I was pretty sure it would be my last. Then, there was the downhill.

I flew. In fact, if it weren’t for the almost incapacitating pain I’m in today, I’d think my feet never touched the ground on the way down. It was steep. It was narrow. It was unstable. It was a miracle I didn’t tumble face-first into the bushes. Other people did. I saw a lot of bloody knees, including those of the fierce woman ahead of me who took first place in our distance.

Special thanks to my carpool friends: Kevin Young, Annie Reese and Mike Reese — who were fun companions. I’m impressed that they braved the heat hours longer than I to complete the 30k. (I was laying on the beach sleeping while they kept running.) Annie and Mike are new to town, but you’ll definitely be seeing them around. Introduce yourself. They’re good people.