This Way or That…?

I was asked by site Q Novocaine if I would take the Pax through a run around town. So after presenting him with a, I thought good route, he said Underdog ran that a couple weeks before. Well….dang! I thought I had done something special. Sidewalks the whole way and a tour to the hospital and back. Nope! This led me to do some more recon, but I think everyone else may have had their own modified routes in mind.

Thang

Ten Pax rounded up in front of the flag for a disclaimer and short run-down of our route with two modified treks for those that were a little slower. With just under 5 miles on the agenda, pax would have to maintain at least a 9 min pace not including going back for the six. So I gave them two options. One that would be 3.75 miles and one that was 4.25 miles. I think this confused the Pax too much as I proceeded to give turn by turn directions and got two major streets names mixed up (10th & 14th…my bad). I’m not sure if the Pax were still experiencing New Years Day hangovers or what but everyone seemed a bit discombobulated. Maybe it was my direction giving and rambling off streets names that no one knew…who knows?!!

Our route started by heading out of J.H. Rose High School and making a left on to Arlington Blvd. After crossing over Evans we took a left headed towards the Greenway. Headlamps were needed. So for those that did not have one, they had to stay close to other pax that did. I lead the way with my waist belt light which is great for dark areas. It really lights up the places in front of your foot fall.

Everyone came out of the gate pretty hot as I noticed we were in the low 8’s. I knew that wouldn’t last. I told everyone to take a right on to Sulgrave Rd. (that parallels Charles) and head up the hill to the end and then a left on Charles. Unfortunately, when I went back for the six I think there may have been some shortcuts taken by mistake because there is another intersection that leads out to Charles which I believe most took. I headed to the end of Sulgrave Rd. and took a left on Stratford (which I should have mentioned to the pax) and then another left to head back down Charles to 10th St.

The slower pax had the option of taking a left on 14th St., then a left on Evans to head back to the flag (under 4 mile route) or they could follow the rest of the pax to 10th St and then another left back on to Evans St. for just over 4 miles. We had pax take both options and were told to do laps on the track or parking lot until the others returned if they got back sooner. Novocaine, Hot Spot and myself went for the full route to head over the connector bridge and circle back under on to 5th St, then take that to Hooker and meet back up at the flag.

We all made it back on time with a minute to spare despite the confusing and various (modified) routes that were taken. The Pax were partnered with each other so no one was alone (that I know of) and we all made it back safely.

Moleskin

Although I shared the map on Slack in two different channels, it always pays to double check your street names and to make sure you don’t give too many modified routes and directions. Always go back for the six because you may be there one day. I know I have been.

Prayers

• Good year for everyone
• Violet diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – 6 months to live