Scoutland Run with Piper

Scout and Squirrel had plans for the BBL.  Our Laurel Highlands schedule had 18 for the day.  Well, the weather had other plans.  The low temperature was supposed to be very, very low Friday night into Saturday.  It didn't make sense to be stupid when Sunday the temps would be starting out at the high for Saturday.  OK, we can be reasonable.

Then Ian posted he was going to do his local trails at 1pm when the temperature would be double digits and his dogs could join.  The Squirrel was in, but I decided to stay home.  I'd barely seen Rick (he had supervisory duty through new years) as it was.  I didn't want to take 1.5 hrs just in travel and then be running when he'd be done his errands.

So, it'd be me and Piper.  I planned to go as soon as the temps went positive.  The NWS predicted it would be at 10am.  They were an hour off.  Piper and I were out the door at 11:15.

I was definitely dressed for it.  What I didn't expect, and I don't know why, was how bad the trail (can we can it a trail?) was going to be.  I was working very, very hard to barely move.  Then I'd brake through.  Then I'd hit something awkward underneath.  The beautiful scenery was not helping; I think I'm almost on beautiful scenery overload.  Work, work, work.  Heart beating, slamming, bursting in (through?) my chest.  I wasn't having fun.  I wondered on that.  I normally rejoice at the challenge.  But.  I. was. barely. moving.  Still, I had to smile at Piper's antics.  Then my foot went through to the little brook.  Really?  Doesn't -21 mean anything to you water?  I swear that the water froze in the mesh of my shoe before it could get to my foot.

We made it to the snomo bridge that is now closed to traffic.  Heading back, the wind was chilly.  I looked for signs that Piper was too cold so I could drop her back at the house before crossing the road to the hill.  Nope, she seemed fine.  Before we got to the road, I stopped to pick her a frozen apple.  Shit.  Shit.  Ouch!  The snow drifted around the tree was deceiving.  I hyper-extended my knee a bit, in addition going down to my hips.  Well, at least, Piper appreciated the apple.

Across the street, the conditions going up the hill were the same as they had been, except we were going up.  Can I even breathe?  Once we crested the hill, unexpectedly, the trail was slightly better.  I think a lot of the snow had drifted off of this stretch.  We continued along the power lines and crossed the next street.  This is how we will head to Triffittville when we take on that adventure. 

I was surprised to hear a snowmobile headed our way.  Most of them either don't have the gear for such cold or are just too weenie.  I quickly put Pipe's leash back on and got her off the snomo trail.  Of course she lunged.  My huge mittens allowed the leash to slip through.  Shit.  She almost got hit.

As soon as he'd put a little distance between us, I let her back off.  The run just got better and better from here.  Again, not easy going, the trail was better.  It was the first time I'd been this way since last year.  When we turned off the power lines into the woods, a huge buck bounded across the trail.  Whoa!  Immediately I screamed, "Piper!" as she tore after the creature.  They were both extremely athletic looking.  I called and called, all the time expecting to have to track her through the briars and brambles where a rabbit wouldn't go (Ballad of New Orleans, anyone?).  My heart was pounding for a new reason.  I was worried I'd lose her.

I'd just told Rick, yesterday, how Piper was the best thing that happened in 2013.  He said, "Even better than your 100?"  Yup.  They are hard to compare, so totally unrelated, but Piper is family.  The event was super, super important, but not like the pup - even though Hali had friendship, sacrifice (a lot on Rick's part), team work (ours and our crew's), Bunkies (less than three), Alexions, and finishing 100 fucking miles with the best running partner ever.  I didn't want to go through losing her.  Heart now in throat.

Piper!!!  She burst back on to the trail all excited.  I rejoiced.  We reunited.  My running was even more joyful.  I saw little mice tracks, bunny tracks, hare tracks, and coyote (?) tracks.  We ran.  I thrilled at the thought of continuing further on the way to Triffittville.  It was very hard to play it smart and turn around.  That'll be there for another day.

Piper and I turned back.  I think we ended up with about 6.5 miles.  I'm glad I didn't let the struggle of the first miles make me cut the run short.  What a day with the Piper!