Yes!

The weather over the weekend was still horrendously humid, but a little less hot.  I have had such a bad stretch of runs lately, I was beginning to question my conditioning and/or health.  I have felt like shit more in the last month running than in all my previous years, I think.  Still, I was looking forward to Saturday's run; We planned on hosting a "tour" of the BBU loop.  Even if no one else showed, a loop of BBU with Squirrel and gIANt is good runnin'. 

Unlike my normal pulling-into-the-park-at-the-last-second self, I figured I should show a little early in case we had non-TM takers on the tour offer.  I pulled into the school parking lot to find George and Mindy already there!!!  We chatted a bit before NJ Dave and Jordan showed up.  More chatting, then Ian and Zak showed, quickly followed by David and Julia.  Julia was just dropping David off before heading to the Brad for some fast running. 

We all stayed together for most of Lunch Break, but then splintered into the two groups we figured would happen.  Ian and his group were gonna run the 3.5 mile start of the 50 miler before running the rest of the non-east-side loop.  The S&S group was gonna stick with the main 15.5 BBU loop.  We were George, Jordan, NJ Dave, and the esses, till Dave and Jordan realized we were heading to the east side; they wanted hills.  Heading past the parking lot, we noticed Sara with Sadie, oh, and Nathan.  We decided to see if anyone else wanted to join the BBU already in progress.  Sara and Sadie were waiting for Mary and Ruby to show.  Nathan eventually decided to join us.  So, S&S&TT&George (needs a trail name :) headed across to the east-side portion of the loop. 

We chatted and enjoyed.  Yup.  Running felt good.  Ian had given me some S-caps at the start.  I considered if I would take them.  Would it be too late if I decided I needed them?  Hmmm.  I felt good and my shorts weren't saturated and dripping 6 miles in. 

More talking, laughing, swatting of bugs.  Have I mentioned it was a good run?  Yes.  a. good. run.  I love Brad.  I didn't take the S-caps, but felt like having them with me was my power.  I had a waffle and a HappyTot for food and about 50oz of cola nuun during the run.  We talked about various ultras to come.  If George gets into Hardrock, he's got Scout and Squirrel for pacers.  I am gonna start looking for my 100 for next year.  I just have to find one that occurs not in heat.

By the time we reached the summit, ready to head down Lunch Break to finish, I was totally dripping from every drippable surface, but still feeling good.  Nathan headed back to Brad's parking while the rest of us headed back to the school.  Mindy still had more miles to do and drove to Brad to run them on the east side.  Before George and I headed out, Jordan and Dave finished up.  Nice timing.  I finished at E&Ls where Nathan was already placing his order.  Mindy came in before we left.  BLTs!!!

Sunday was a little hotter and just as humid.  Rick wanted to get in 10-12.  We started with 2.6ish on the mountain before heading to the east side to run Mindy's 40 loop backwards.  I got soggier quicker, but never felt that bonking feeling.  In fact, by the last few miles I was feeling better than the start.  It was also good to see Rick's miles starting to creep up again.  A good day for the Abradis at the Brad :D