Break, Breaker, Breakiest

Started the week at Thorncrag with Bethany. After running on the Breaker course so much, I think she was expecting Thorncrag to be easier...And I think it was, but we just ran it that much faster so it was just as hard. Beth covered the distance of the first loop of the Breaker 5 minutes faster than she'd been doing that loop. It was a nice change of scenery and a much quicker commute. I got in 5.76 miles.

Tuesday I headed to Bradbury alone. Bethany was coming, but going to be late; I really wanted to have more of the day left to get things done. I went out at a fairly relaxed pace and only walked the top 1/2 of the summit. I kept the pace pretty much the same on the second loop, but did walk some on the one steep, long part on the back of the Boundary. Knowing I was going to the full Breaker course two more time during the week, I opted to skip the South Ridge Trail and Summit Trail, going straight to the summit from the Boundary. I love the finish of the second lap; the Tote is always a reward and the Terrace is such a fun way down.

I'd seen Bethany's car in the lot after my first loop and it was still there when I got back from my last. I left a note on her windshield and went in the outhouse to change. When I stepped out I heard a friendly yell. Bethany, looking very strong, was coming down the Northern Loop into the parking lot. She was having a blast! I missed her on the trail by skipping the South Ridge. She'd taken a few wrong turns (had come down the Ski Trail), but basically was doing the course. She headed back out for her second lap and I headed home.

Wednesday my day was eaten up with errands. It was a good day to not be running; even in the air conditioned car, I was too hot. And from all accounts, the air quality was really poor.

Yesterday the crew from Mockingbird Lane headed back to Bradbury, it was to be the first time this year Linda did the full course and the the first time ever for Beth! Based on previous runs, I estimated that I should get in about 12 miles with the out and back method.

We got an early start, but the air was already (still) heavy. Everyone complained about breathing. I was coughing and clearing my throat a lot by the first mile. Oh well, it was the conditions we had.

Coming down the Switch Back, we'd been heading right to the parking lot to refill our bottles and such rather than following the new path out by the out houses - especially since the starting portion of the Northern Loop had been closed due to wasps. Since the wasps were gone, we decided to follow the actual race path. Unfortunately, the flags that marked where to head down had fallen and were invisible to us while running. When we got to a large pile of rocks, I pretty much knew we'd gone too far and headed down a small path back to where we belonged. Before I knew it, I was flat - flat out on a large slab-o-rock. I would say it was the wet moss that made me fall (it was also a good incline), but, that would almost make you think it was a cushioned fall. I think the moss could be better described as algae! In the heat and humidity we've had, I wouldn't be surprised if it really were a form of it.

I laid there a minute trying to figure out if I was hurt. My back had been stiff before the start of the run. I knew I was going to have a few good bruises, but that was fine (even good - nice to have something to show for it!). I stood up and stressed to Beth and Linda how slippery it was. Even though they witnessed the fall, I wanted to make sure they knew it was incredibly slick. Sure enough, even walking it, Linda almost fell.

We had gone nearly to the Feldspar Quarry on the Northern Loop. I wanted to go back, find where we would have come up, and follow the trail back up to see where we went wrong (oh, my back? It was like I'd had a chiropractic adjustment. Better!). When I got back up I found the downed flags and righted them. Then it was back to the parking lot to refill before the final lap.

Linda and Bethany convinced me to run ahead and not bother heading back to them because they both have the course down now and Linda wasn't even sure if she was going to do the full lap (her hammie is still a bit tight). So I set out on my own expecting to run pretty hard. Nope. The humidity and air quality (or lack there of) had taken its toll. I didn't run hard till the Tote Road. It's funny, but that's where the deer flies were thickest, in fact, almost where they were exclusively - good incentive to run fast!

Linda wasn't in the parking lot when I got back so I assumed she was doing the entire course. I headed back out, reversing the race. When I got to them, Bethany's enthusiasm was infectious. I love it when people catch the running bug! She's come a long way in a short amount of time.

My guess wasn't too far off; I got in 11.6 miles.

PS. I'm not rereading this and apologize ahead of time for grammatical errors and the like.