Saturday and Monday

Saturday, Rick and I headed to Bradbury to work on the Bruiser course. We met up with TMs, Ian, Emma, Julia, Blaine and Erin along with a new trail runner, Christian. I planned to do the entire course; Rick had 6 to 8 miles in mind.

We all stayed together for almost 2 miles, but then the faster runners pulled ahead and/or Erin, Rick and I relaxed our pace. We chatted easily as we ran. Somewhere after crossing the snowmobile trail, still on the Ginn, Rick and I lost Erin.

Rick stayed with me till just over 7 miles and then headed back getting in around 8 miles before he was done. So, just me for the rest of the miles. I enjoyed them all till I realized around 9 miles that 8 oz of liquid really wasn't enough for this run. I don't know if that's why I hated the O trail so much or what. I've never even disliked it before...Oh, I've found it perplexing, discouraging, and lots of other adjectives, but always enjoyed it in some way...Not Saturday. I was so glad to finally recognize when I was nearly done.

So, I didn't have a great run, but there were some very good things. It was the first time in a long time that Emma had joined the Monsters on a Saturday run. Yay!!!! Also, slowly (knock on wood) Rick seems to be fighting back. That would be Yay- squared!

Sunday was Rick's last day of vacation. We decided to spend the day in Portland again. Had a great lunch in Ri Ra's and enjoyed the city.

Today, I ran the fields around here. A lot more territory has opened up to me since the farmers have all hayed recently. I didn't get out till 2:30, but glad that's when I went; I had a great wildlife encounter. Cresting a small hill in the farthest field, I spotted (tee hee...it was already spotted!) a fawn. I stopped. (S)He was watching me. We stared at each other for what seemed like 5 minutes. So I decided to talk to him/her. Still just stood looking at me. Finally I said something the deer didn't like and (s)he bounded zig-zaggy away. The fawn seemed pretty big to still have its spots, but, well, Yay!

My nearly 6 miles took nearly 60 minutes.