Be bold, start cold! It was an unpleasant wind atop Granddad's, but quickly leeward went our trail. Such a stark contrast was pleasant, a chance for the core to warm. Beaucoup leaves on Compass North weren't an issue now; here's hoping they're not Chekhov's gun. Passing Alpine Inn, openly wondering if we'll stop afterward for Bloodys. (Grammar alert: they aren't "Bloody's," so stop that apostrophe, folks.) Down Aspen in control; no need to bomb. "Sweet Bridge Feature!" I exclaim, a tribute to some purple prose from the Hixon Summer Running Series advert.
Sure, Hickory would be more fun than the service road portion of Bicentennial, but this is more direct, perfectly fine, and, importantly, better on the return leg. The golf course is empty, and so, too, the driving range. I wish I liked nordic skiing. We jog to the end of Wood Duck. Okay, now I'll start eating. Four miles in. Here comes the flat of the marsh, our own little Florida Everglades, and a bit more of that wind. Hello, hip flexors! Nice of you to show up.
I want to go through the Friendship Garden! Maybe on the way back. Let's run as close to the river as possible. Okay, there are the stairs. Let's eat some more food. I think I'll zigzag up these bad boys, feels safer somehow. Like, more of my foot on more of each step. I don't hear you behind me, are you taking a pic of me crossing the bridge? I thought we'd do a selfie. There are more stairs on the Pettibone side. Let's zig these, too.
Do you know where Chris is going to meet us? His car is blue, not silver. Yes, it is. See? I told you so. Chris, where the hell is your water bottle? Yes, you do. Well, we'll have some extra at Eagle Bluff if you change your mind. You're with me while Laura hits the porta potty. You're stopping, too? I'm sure you'll catch us.
Okay, you two stay up there. No, really, I'd rather be here suffering by myself. Chris, having you here is such a relief. This was always Laura's project, and I'm hurting right now, so having you up there to distract her while explore my little hobbit hole of discomfort is pressure off me.
Friends! Hello, Anne & David. Thank you for hauling our shit out here. How did Trudy react when you got the stuff off the porch? Really? That's odd, even for her. Huh. Hmm. Yeah, it seems weird to eat a sandwich, but that's what imma goan do for an ultra, and this is just big ol' ultra training, yeah, so let's put this sammy in my maw. Yes, that Coke is a good idea. Yes, that pickle is a good idea. Let me drop off my trash. I've decided pb pretzel bites aren't working, maybe at this here aid station, but not on the go. See? Always learning something. Okay, we'll see you after we climb that there bluff.
I told you it was to the left.
Oh HEY! I think we just climbed a bluff. Are you going to have Bloodys with us after we finish? No, there is no apostrophe. We're bleeding too much time here. I know you want to honor their commitment to our friendship by spending more time with them, but we're a bit behind pace anyway. It's so overcast that I don't think I need to refill too much water.
My dudes, that's a train. Stop running to it. Take some pics. It's good story. Welp, that sub-5 FKT is definitely off the table, and THAT'S GREAT. Now we're just having a time and learning some stuff. Chris, do you own a foam roller? Okay, buy one on your way home, you're going to thank us later tonight. Maybe buy a water bottle, too. Thanks for running with us. Def gave me a chance to work though some stuff. You know, let enough pain wash over enough of the body such that one isn't focusing on one hurt.
Remember, there's more stairs on this side than the other side. FUCK ROADS. If you could arrange this route's four ascents/descents, how would you do it? No, you can't change the flats. What do you mean you don't get it? Okay, fair enough, twenty miles is a long way. I've gotta do more strength training. I've done pretty well with my nutrition up to this point, but I think I'll let it flop these last four miles, let that Bloody hit harder.
So glad we get service road Bicentennial right about now. The fourth Aspen switchback is the worst. The upper-middle one. There's five. See? We're well beyond where the other three switchbacks terminated. Why is this dbag parked here? Plenty of parking at Alpine. I hate people. This dip isn't as bad as I remember. I have to pee. Did you really just stop your watch a second before I stopped mine? Ugh!