Back Down Weekend

I'm not sure how closely the Squirrel and I have been following our plan.  I know I had a month without a long run cause of GI issues.  After that, I think we've run a 20+ long run for the last 6 weeks, with four of them 24 miles or longer.  The backup run has been 8 - 10 miles.  So when I found out the Squirrel would be heading to PA this weekend, I decided it was time for a bit of a back down.

I was happy to learn that I'd have Unstrung company.  I haven't gotten to run with her in a long time.  When I pulled into Brad's lot, Ian, Emma, Blaine, Sean, Nathan, and Xar were already there in various states of shivering.  The day before I'd worn shorts and a Tee and was hot.  Today I was in long sleeves, tights, headband, and gloves and was chilly.  As we were getting ready to head out, Andy ran in.  The speedy guy said he was still cold.

Ian and Emma hit the roads to get in 22 miles.  Nathan, Sean, Blaine, Xar and I set out to run a loop of the BBU.  Blaine flawlessly pulled off a long shaggy dog joke, a real groaner that Xar approved of wholeheartedly.  After that, the boys were quiet while Xar and I yakked away.  With some of the funny stuff, we lamented that Mindy was missing; she would have made it all funnier.

I had a few early wood visits.  I encouraged the boys to run on; it wasn't going to get better for a while.  I knew Nathan knows the BBU course so the guys were fine.  Xar and I settled in.  I was really surprised when we got to the mountain side and found the Northern Loop mostly ice free.  The Boundary Trail was even better.  The connector was a little icier, but not too bad.  Heading down the hill towards Lawrence Rd. was really icy.  We chose to walk rather than chance it.  I also took the opportunity to pop into the woods again.  When I pulled out onto Lawrence, I called out for Xar.  I didn't see her heading down the road.  Yup, she'd started to follow the connector up the hill.

On Sweetser, we noted the unnaturally blue skies that are ever present.  Wiccahenge's power is awesome.  We were heading out onto the power lines when we saw two speedy figures running down Allen Rd.  Of course we ran back to say hi.  I didn't mean for them to actually stop, but they chatted for a bit.  So I wouldn't feel bad about them stopping, I said for them to keep going, we'd run down Sweetser with them a bit.  It was just a very little bit before we said bye, buoyed by the TM sighting, and returned on our own journey.  The beauty of the power lines always surprises me.  Shouldn't the steel and wire seem like an intrusion?

Heading back up the hill after crossing Lawrence, we crossed paths with Nathan and Sean running down.  I fell gracelessly on the ice and just sat while we chatted for a bit.  They'd made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up doing more miles with Blaine on the east side.  Onward.

Back in the park, the Tote Road was the iciest part yet.  We did a lot of walking.  Friday all the ice was tacky, Saturday all slippery.  It was a relief to pop out onto the summit.  Xar said a child/parent unfriendly word sort of in earshot of both.  I proceeded to talk very loud not realizing I was interrupting a mini lecture by the bird watcher.  See, we were unused to civilization.  We decided we better get back to our quest and save society.

Thank you, Lunch Break, for being ice free.  At the bottom we both had some sort of baby food before finishing up our run.  I think it was Unstrung's longest in a while and she'd done hill work recently.  She planned to take it easy up LB.  I thought I might do the opposite.  So when I'd run most of it, I turned around, ran back, and rejoined Xar.  It gave me the opportunity to run up more.  Back on the summit, we decided to skip looking at the bird tally; we couldn't be trusted around people.

Stretches of the Northern Loop (towards the top) were still tricky.  It wasn't till the Ski Trail we could run without fear of falling.  Just about back, we met up with Gracie again.  She's about the sweetest golden retriever there can be.  She nearly fell into a trance as I milked her ear.  She made me feel like I was with Spot :)  When I could squat no longer, we said our goodbyes.  At least back in the parking lot, we met Phoenix.  He was a beautiful lab, waiting for his dad to make a phone call and take him for his walk.  We were able to peel ourselves away because we knew E&Ls would have something yummy and nourishing for us.  With the little extra pieces I had 16.8 for the run instead of BBUs 15.5.

Today, Rick and I headed to Brad sort of late.  Nathan's car was there, but I'm sure he was long on his run.  We ran out Lanzo, to Ragan, back Ginn to Fox West, crossed over to Fox East, and onto Ginn East.  Rick had his 5 miles by the time we reached Old Tuttle Rd, so he headed back.  I continued on Ginn East to Ginn West, back Ragan to Lanzo and done.  I had just over the 8 miles I wanted.  After E&Ls, we noted that Nathan's car was still in the lot.