Kiss and Tell

You know how you go along knowing that you love someone, but, something happens and it's like you have the butterflies all over again?  I fell in love with Brad all over again.  (oh, yeah, I ran Stone Cat, felt fine after, yadda, yadda, yadda and we're all caught up). 

I wanted to be running by 9, 9:30 at the latest, but Sam and his friend weren't even out of the house till 9.  After I said bye, I dressed hurriedly knowing that I had to be home by noon to bring Nori (Ryan's girlfriend) to the bus station.  I drove in to the parking lot just a few minutes before 10.  I didn't recognize any of the cars.  I was really fine with a solo run; lots of thinking to do.

I knew I wasn't going to get in the miles I was looking for, but thought I might squeeze in a few extra by sticking to the east side.  OK, Mindy's loop would even be pushing my time limit, but that's what I opted for.  Earlier, I almost felt tired of that course.  I wonder how many times Mindy and I ran it this year.  No matter, Brad changed things up for me.  The trail was full of slushy puddles.  The trees still had some snow adorning them.  Now, I didn't need to see the animals to know who was about; I got to see their tracks.  I started to chastise myself for not bringing my camera, but that would have just slowed me down more. 

Then I noticed another runner's tracks.  They belong to a guy, but the tread looked like it might have been a road shoe.  I'm not sure which brand has triangular lugs now, but that's what they had.  I wondered if it was someone I knew.  Then I'd forget all about the tracks where there were long stretches of nearly bare trail.  I would become absorbed in the run, the beauty, the Brad.  Yup, my heart and body were both restored.  The little twinges that were building from my field and road runs disappeared. 

The only thing I was a bit sad about was my pace.  The wet leaves, snow, and very slippery bridges made me go extra cautiously.  Don't get me wrong; I don't mind taking my time with Brad.  It's just that I had some mileage in mind.  As soon as I let that go, I was good.

Then I picked up the tracks again.  It seemed like whoever it was was also running Mindy's loop.  Hmmm...
I wonder how many other people would run that particular course.  This happened on and off throughout my run.  Whenever there was snow on the trail, I was reminded of the other runner.  However, I was enjoying the run so much, that, as soon as they were out of sight, I forgot all about the other guy.  I didn't actually see any body on the run.

Even though my run wasn't as long as I wanted, I felt like I was filled back up.  I love you Brad.