Bradbury Got Even Better!

So Bradbury was probably already my favorite place to run. After this run, it got even better...

I was the first one in the parking lot today (highly unusual!). I was looking forward to new Inov8s. Ian pulled in next with my shoes. Unfortunately, I told him the wrong size. My model has been discontinued so I hope he can get some leftovers in my actual size.

We ended up with a fairly large group. Besides Ian and myself, there was Mary Beth, Erin, Blaine,Jeremy, Erik, Stephen, Brian, and Four's cousin and two of his friends (sorry, I know him either as Four's cousin or Zeffie's dad). There were also four lively dogs in the group.

We headed out on the East side on what appeared to be the Bruiser backwards (O-less). I was sticking with the main group but needed to drop off for a bio-break. I knew there was no way I'd catch them. I had doubts that I could have even have stuck with them. So I ran by myself for a while. When I came to where the Ginn (west side) crosses the Old Tuttle Rd, I decided that I might be able to meet back up with the group if I took Tuttle to the snowmobile trail. Well, when I got there, I saw some of the group on the east side Ginn. I ran through the woods to join up with them. At first i thought I could hang with their pace, but I was too cautious where ever there was ice or even where I thought there might be ice.

A little after I let the leaders go, I heard a couple of other voices. Stephen and Brain joined me from behind. I was psyched to have some company. Again, when there was the hint of ice, I started to lose them. When there turned onto the Bat Cave Trail, I kept going on Fox East. From there I went down the Link to the parking lot. I wasn't done. Just behind me, Erik and Blaine came in. I don't even know what trails they took. Erik needed to leave, but Blaine said he'd run more with me.

We decided to stay on the mountain side. There were more slippery patches. Not too long in, even being very careful, I fell. Hard. I think I felt it harder just because things hurt more when you're cold. Blaine gave me the option of turning back, but I always think, if possible, it's best to tough it out. My right knee and left elbow were immediately sore. Turns out i whacked my left knee pretty good to (judging be the bruise). We headed up the Northern Loop. I suggested that Krista's loop thinking it might be less slippery. Blaine agreed. Aside from two obvious icy spots at the start, it was great. In fact, when we got to the end, Blaine suggested turning around and running it backwards. Yay! Then we headed up to the summit and took the Switchback Trail down.

Ian, Jeremy, Mary Beth, and Erin were waiting in the lot. Ian said they were heading to Edna and Lucy's for coffee and goodies. Huh? Turns out, just down the street from the park is a great place to refuel post-run. Wow! Bradbury running with yummy food close by, does it get much better?!

So I got in close to 7.7 miles today and did 4 miles yesterday evening in the fields.