Just How Much Badassery Can the Brad Hold?

I thought I was the last one to the Brad again.  Lets see, there was Ian, Jeremy, Zak, Jamie, Jordan, NJ Dave, and Mindy.  Some of the guys were talking 10 miles, but Ian, Jeremy, and Zak had some crazy stuff planned - run the connector out to the end part of the BL and then do 6x repeats of Lunchbreak Hill!  Mindy and I were doing 20.  Since we had different agendas, we let the boys go while I unhurriedly prepared.  Just as we were about to head out, we saw Blaine's car pulling in.  We waited long enough to tell him, if he hurried, he could catch up with the crew.  And he did.

We liked the idea of the Connector to BL, so followed their footprints up.  The snow was still firm enough to be some of the best running in a while.  We fell into a nice rhythm, chatting and running.  I broke both rhythms when I happened to look up from the footing to see the new bridge.  It is awesome, really.  We were so taken with it, we took a lot of time inspecting it and the views it gave.

Up the hill from here, the guys path went an unexpected direction.  Mindy and I stuck with the Connector.  Had they changed their plans?  Later, we learned that, when Ian had stopped to use the bushes, the others had taken the other route.  I could see how they might have been fooled.  It was probably when the bridge was built, but that path was now the more prominent.  It didn't take very long for them to get back on track.  Then we see two runners heading our way.  It took a second to recognize NJ Dave and Jordan.  Dave was doing 20 the next day so was cutting this one a little short.  It's always fun to cross paths.

Stepping out onto the power lines, we got a hint of the wind to come.  Brrrr.  It was also somewhere along this stretch that the trail started to get more slippery.  Some of the steeper downhills seemed like we were skiing.  Then we ran onto some of the prettiest of the BL heading to Pownal Elementary. At the base of Lunchbreak Hill, Mindy got her Flip video camera out.  We wondered how long we'd have to wait for the guys to show.  From the footprints at the base, it looked like they'd only been down once.  She'd no sooner gotten it out when we heard voices.  Down the mountain ran badasses gIANt, Zak, and Jeremy.

We chatted for a teeny bit before they headed back up.  But we felt like the hill needed to deserve its name and pulled out our Honey Stinger Waffles and savored the tasty treats.  Heading up the hill, I kept saying, "Oh!  This is the perfect spot to get them on film."  We'd wait a bit, then decide we should get moving.  Finally, it dawned on us; we could run down from where we were and back up to try to get them in one of those good spots.  I'm not sure if we were still heading down or back up when we heard them coming.  I hope the video turns out.  They looked strong and all smiles at that point.  You would have to run up Lunchbreak Hill to appreciate their task.

Before we hit the summit, I realized how cold my right foot was.  It had gotten wet several times during the loop.  I decided to stop back at the car to change both shoes and socks.  Mindy never minds any interruptions.  My feet were very happy with the decision.  It was short lived joy, but joy none the less.  We were amazed at the deterioration of the trail.  What wasn't deep slush or running water, was slippery, sugary granules.  Going up was hard because your feet slipped, going down was almost harder because they wanted to slip out from underneath.  Oh well, onward.

Somewhere on the Connector, we ran into an older couple walking.  We exchanged hellos and kept running.  Not too long after, we were surprised by a delightful snowman.  Did that couple make it, I wondered.  Then Mindy noticed tiny footprints (yes, smaller than hers).  Oh!  I had almost forgotten about the dad with his two small boys on the first lap.  It must have been their creation.

This time stepping onto the power lines, we were met with a stiff, cold wind.  The wind pushed us back, aided by the low-traction trail.  I had changed my shoes, Mindy didn't.  I think this is where her feet started getting really cold.  It was also where we started giving each other updates on body parts that were complaining.  I think the sliding on hills had both our backs stiffening up.  I visualized microwaving my Thera bear and crawling under some covers.

Crossing Lawrence Rd on the BL section, I reminded Mindy there'd be that steep down.  Well, she slid/skied successfully down.  I was immediately on my ass, sliding uncontrollably down.  It was the plowed up mud that eventually stopped me.  Oooh!  Big pouty face.  Except we were laughing too hard to be too miserable.  My ass was so muddy it went right through everything.  Wow.

At least we only had like four miles left.  Onward.  At Lunchbreak hill, we marveled at the trail the boys left behind.  Six repeats on that hill.  Amazing.  At the summit, we realized we were going to come up a little short on mileage.  OK, lets not even think of going into the parking lot.  We realized we should just go across the street for a stretch to get it all in.  By the time I reached my car, my Garmin said 19.97.  I said good enough and smiled while Mindy made sure hers read 20.

Entering E&Ls, I just breathed in deeply. Mmmmmm.  Reading specials, I became perplexed.  When Mindy stepped in, I told her Sabrina was causing trouble.  I couldn't decide between the hot roast beef special or the Rachel.  Ever the problem solver, Mindy just smiled and said, "I can fix that."  We each had half of each sandwich.  Good call.  I think running long is important in lots of ways, but it is good to make little things huge.  Each bite of those sandwiches was the best thing in the world.  Putting my feet up in the chair, ah.  We basked in the goodness of the moment, enjoying the wonderful food, the great new artwork, and the shared sense of what we just accomplished.  I love running.