

Was looking forward to Qāing R4TJ because I wanted to do two things: Launch a new route and bring back sprints. Needed to get off Crossway for some variety, but wanted to retain the elevation gain. Had lots of ideas, but when it came to mapping, it was challenging. Plus, I told Bobby Bouche that Iād map out a 3 mile option. Initial routes had too many turns, which lead to confusion and frustration. Finally occurred to me that Skymont to Daisy Grove was the perfect solution.
Must Be the Warm Up! Multiple PAX ECād already. PAX kept rolling in as 0530 approached. Had to get in the middle of the parking lot where we could circle up. 21 PAX make a big circle. With so many ECāers, I just wanted to warm up the remainder. SSH 25x, Daisy pickers 10x. We got a count and Bobby Bouche agreed to lead the 3.5-mile runners. We all took off. Felt like start of the HS Half.
Must Be the Route! HS Half start, climb Anchor Creek, right on Wellspring, down to the greenway, across the boardwalk. Beginning at the long boardwalk, Skymont goes straight up for a nice elevation gain. This is a very functional route. At the top of Skymont near Daisy Grove, 3.5-mile runners peel off at the greenway connection to Jones Park, head to HS Road, then follow Main back to Ting. At Daisy Grove, 5.5-mile runners turn left, make a couple of simple turns to get to Homegrown, then HS Road and Main to Ting. Finally, we all meet up at Ting for COT and sprints!
Must Be the Workout! This āone hourā run that goes by like nothing. Why? The chatter, the junk talking, the climbs, the descents, the sunrise, the picking up the six, getting to know new PAX, catching with PAX you havenāt seen in a while, and finally, the shenanigansāask Lipstick and Roger Roger. I tried to run with as many people as possible, while turning back for the six regularly. This was fun.
Must Be the Mary! No, actually it couldnāt be, there was no Mary
Must Be the COT!
Announcements: Long A$$ Run, March 27, multiple mileage options accompanied by multiple starting points, all end in Durham
Prayer: Maggie P and family
Must Be the Sprints! Yes, it must be the Sprints! All 21 of us lined up for sprints, yes! Wait, thatās not what happenedā¦ But, shout out to Bobby Bouche, UTI, and Lipstick for hammering out some sprint to AC/DC Long Way to the Top.