This run started out in the cool shade of the Big Meadow Trailhead. We had gotten a couple of accomodating spouses/moms to schlep the surprisingly large group of runners from the finish to where we started. That way, nobody had to do the drive after the run, when all anyone wanted to do is eat, drink and rest. At least, that's all I wanted to do. Kind of interesting the number of us wearing blue shirts with black shorts. We looked like a bunch of running bruises.
Once down from the Freel adventure, it was off to Star Lake. The lake looked as inviting as always, and Dave was unable to resist the siren song. He dropped his pack, shoes and socks and dove in, potential chafing be damned! Of course, he's crazy-fast and was dry by the time he hit Monument Pass, and passed me like I was standing still (OK, I was.) That was the point where the following manglement of Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" coursed through my mind.
At mile eighteen.
At mile eighteen,
I lost my steam.
Thanks, gang for letting a non-TRT participant tag along on your training run. It was "fun." It was hard. It was rewarding. And the people I ran with are the best. Good luck to all in your race!