Memorial Day weekend...sunny and warm, with maybe a light breeze to keep the temperature civilized. Burgers and dogs on the grill, maybe a cold adult beverage with condensation beading down the outside of the bottle as the golden elixir inside flows into a satisfied runner after a long, enjoyable run. Ahhh.
Nice image. Too bad the weather hasn't cooperated much this year to make it come true.
As I labor in the glow of my monitor in the evening of May 28, 2011, it's currently 36°F, and snowing. SNOWING. That is so wrong on so may levels. At the least, the weather was fairly decent for the scheduled morning run for us today. If you're in this blog this far, you may as well go in for the whole thing. Onward, dear reader!
To badly parody a classic ZZ Top song, this morning I Woke Up With Wind. And no, not that kind of wind. The kind that blows the 88 mm howitzer shell-size pine cones out of the trees. As I lay there in the crepuscular light, I was secretively hoping nobody would show to the run. Only Ali had responded to the email invite in the affirmative, and seeing as she had to come from Douglas County, I hoped the weather would deter her, and I would arrive, hang about for a short while, then get home to a large coffee and some carbohydrates.
I didn't plan for that, however, as I dressed out for a potentially windy run of (what I guessed would be) about 8.5 miles. I arrived at the V&T trailhead a little early at about 7:15 and prepared to wait 10-15 minutes for the 1 or 2 people that might show.
I was surprised to see Ali and another show up almost immediately after. She had conscripted a friend of hers to join us. Well Done! Janine proclaimed readiness and was dressed for a winter run. Not long after, another new person arrived: Keith. Welcome, sir! Always nice to see a new face in the group.
Nice image. Too bad the weather hasn't cooperated much this year to make it come true.
As I labor in the glow of my monitor in the evening of May 28, 2011, it's currently 36°F, and snowing. SNOWING. That is so wrong on so may levels. At the least, the weather was fairly decent for the scheduled morning run for us today. If you're in this blog this far, you may as well go in for the whole thing. Onward, dear reader!
To badly parody a classic ZZ Top song, this morning I Woke Up With Wind. And no, not that kind of wind. The kind that blows the 88 mm howitzer shell-size pine cones out of the trees. As I lay there in the crepuscular light, I was secretively hoping nobody would show to the run. Only Ali had responded to the email invite in the affirmative, and seeing as she had to come from Douglas County, I hoped the weather would deter her, and I would arrive, hang about for a short while, then get home to a large coffee and some carbohydrates.
I didn't plan for that, however, as I dressed out for a potentially windy run of (what I guessed would be) about 8.5 miles. I arrived at the V&T trailhead a little early at about 7:15 and prepared to wait 10-15 minutes for the 1 or 2 people that might show.
I was surprised to see Ali and another show up almost immediately after. She had conscripted a friend of hers to join us. Well Done! Janine proclaimed readiness and was dressed for a winter run. Not long after, another new person arrived: Keith. Welcome, sir! Always nice to see a new face in the group.
Following Keith's arrival, in quick succession were Abbey and then Tom and Suz with Taz on a leash. Promptly at 7:35, Joe and Gino arrived—right on time.
In order to minimize the exposure to the elements, we took off quickly, though the sun was nice, the wind, as Tom put it, "had a bite." We made our way south along Murphy drive to catch Gino's Jaunt and begin the climbing.
In order to minimize the exposure to the elements, we took off quickly, though the sun was nice, the wind, as Tom put it, "had a bite." We made our way south along Murphy drive to catch Gino's Jaunt and begin the climbing.
Heading up Gino's Jaunt
After crossing over Timberline creek, we began climbing in earnest: >1900 feet in 3.5 miles. What. A. Grind. Timberline canyon had some seriously steep sections, forcing walking for nearly everyone. I am not sure of Abbey in her Vibram 5-Fingers, since I never had her in sight. The climb up the canyon was beautiful, though. I only wish I could have steadied my breathing enough to hold the camera still enough to get a photo. Even at 1/1000 second shutter speed, everything was blurry.
We got off the main part of the trail at around mile and headed on the single track north to Hobart. This was a challenge in that there was probably 50 blown down dead trees to navigate in addition to the climb. Didn't look like Tom, Joe or Abbey trusted my route-finding abilities, though, judging by their body language.
We got off the main part of the trail at around mile and headed on the single track north to Hobart. This was a challenge in that there was probably 50 blown down dead trees to navigate in addition to the climb. Didn't look like Tom, Joe or Abbey trusted my route-finding abilities, though, judging by their body language.
"You see a trail?" "I don't see one." "Down there?" "Where is that $#@%! guy leading us, anyway!"
It was quite a challenge getting there, but the trail further uphill, nearer Hobart was much smoother and a pleasure to run. The mule deer along the route agreed with me. As for Tom, he's always happy on a trail. Janine and Ali? At this point, I think they both would have cheerfully slaughtered me.
All that remained at that point was a long downhill, a quick pop over to the north end of the V&T trail and it's gentle grade back to the parking area.
I had guessed the route was going to be around 8.5 miles. I was pleasantly surprised to see it clock in at an even 10 on my Garmin; especially since I ran it so much better than the previous week's 10 miler. As Jimmy Buffet sang in a song that has absolutely nothing to do with running or anything similar:
"I've had good days, and bad days, and going-half-mad days."
This qualified as an unmitigated Good Day. The weather held off until we were done, the company was exemplary and my lungs and legs pulled their weight. If that isn't enough to convince you, look at this final photo and argue it with me...with a cold adult beverage in hand, near a grill laden with cooking cow parts, on a warm Memorial Day weekend.
All that remained at that point was a long downhill, a quick pop over to the north end of the V&T trail and it's gentle grade back to the parking area.
I had guessed the route was going to be around 8.5 miles. I was pleasantly surprised to see it clock in at an even 10 on my Garmin; especially since I ran it so much better than the previous week's 10 miler. As Jimmy Buffet sang in a song that has absolutely nothing to do with running or anything similar:
"I've had good days, and bad days, and going-half-mad days."
This qualified as an unmitigated Good Day. The weather held off until we were done, the company was exemplary and my lungs and legs pulled their weight. If that isn't enough to convince you, look at this final photo and argue it with me...with a cold adult beverage in hand, near a grill laden with cooking cow parts, on a warm Memorial Day weekend.
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