So this is what my elbow looks like after the spring loop. I think it looks a whole lot better than the dead guy we passed on the highway on the way up. What you say? Dead guy??? Yup. That’s how the day started. Spuds, Snobody and I were cruising along nicely at about 5 AM on Rte 8 in Waterbury when we came across an accident scene. The police had managed to put up cones and flares but forgot to cover up the poor fellow who had been hit by two cars while walking down the middle of the highway. Wow, I’ve never seen that before. Kind of made us wonder if it was some sort of omen for the rest of the day.
I’ve been hearing about the legendary spring loop for years now. I’ve always felt too intimidated by the distance to attend but since I signed up for the Highland Sky 40 mile race I figured this would be a good year to try it out. We had a huge group starting at 6 AM hoping to beat the heat. Half of us were in it for the long haul and the other half were sampling the course up to the start of the AT. It was great to have so much company and we spent much of the first 12 miles speculating how long it would take the 7 AM group to catch us. We opted out of the magical bit but admired the peak from below. Looking back now it was definitely the right decision to skip it. It was getting towards the heat of the day by the time we passed it and dropped off the partial loopers at their cars.
Suds kindly provided us with a huge jug of water from his car and said he would look forward to seeing us again at the convenience store. It was very reassuring to know we’d see a friendly face at our next stop. The next section was 14 miles on the AT. Mid way through the heat started to take a toll on us. Despite best efforts to drink as much as possible dehydration began to set in. Brendan decided to stop at the next road access and Suds & Mr. B were kind enough to take care of him while the rest of us continued on. I was quite surprised to note that Spuds was in good shape considering how hot it was. He typically suffers in the heat and has problems staying hydrated. Perhaps all the water he drank the day before was paying off?
Back to the trail and no sign yet of the 7 AM group. They must be catching up with us soon……..
I was assured that the final section was “the shortest third” of the course. This is where I managed to catch a stick between my feet and gracelessly tumble down a hill, hence the blue and green elbow. It felt like one of those Tom and Jerry cartoon wipe outs. Loopy and Downhill were kind enough not to laugh at me despite the leaves I was picking out of my teeth afterwards.
Now we were almost done and there was still no sight of the 7 AM crew. How could they not have passed us? We kept wondering where they were and continuing to move on. It was at about this point that Spuds experienced a total breakdown. Severe dehydration and cramping set in quickly and completely hobbled him. Suds found him leaning against a rock with his eyes closed and a pale grey complexion. Spuds is sure that he must have looked terrifying, some sort of vampire ultra runner. So once again, Sudsy saved the day for the loopers. He called for help and helped Spuds down to the closest road to be picked up and brought to the cars. Thanks Sudsy!
Loopy, Downhill and I (unaware of Spud’s condition) opted to finish out the loop on the park road which goes by a wonderful water spigot. It was so nice to clean off 30 something miles of sweat, dirt and blood from our bodies. We then walked the rest of the way down to the cars and waited for the 7 AM crew to finish a few minutes later. I still can’t believe that we stayed ahead of them the whole day even if they did the magic part and we skipped it.
All in all it was a challenging day, very long and very hot. But the company was great and the scenery wonderful. I had a good time and look forward to my next loop. Hopefully no dead pedestrians or vampire runners next time.
Jen,
The important thing is that after your FALL on The Loop, you did SPRING back up! I must say that it was quite the epic day, both in terms of quantity and quality. Lots of Bimblers, lots of miles, lots of stories (I hope). My most memorable points:
1) Suds everywhere, helping out.
2) Smiley faces in the dirt, reminding us that the 6AMers were somewhere ahead.
3) Heat and Humidity
4) Suds everywhere.
5) “I think I can” in response to Loopy’s taunt to catch you guys.
6) “I think I can’t” in response to my aching quads 25 miles later.
7) Leading (sometimes) Nadia and Mudder WAY beyond where they thought their limits were.
8) Cold water.
9) New benches!
10) Spuds resting, and the stark realization of how poor my negotiating skills are.
I am already looking forward to another loop with variations (no magic, for a change…side trail to true summit…no park road at the end)
Jen – Wow! I must admit I read the first paragraph 3 or 4 times to be sure I was actually reading what I thought I was reading. Dead guy? Eek!
That is one heck of a bruise – must have been an epic fall!
Another thing, I couldn’t quite figure out was Sudsy….he seemed to be everywhere!!! How is this possible?
Anyway, Great report and the fact that you are already ‘looking forward to your next loop’ means it must have been a good day!
SG
Jen, Nice version of a story retold by others in the past. So nice to have you complete this run and hear that you want to come back to do it again. So sorry that I kept Spuds from catching you when you fell near Jones’ Nose….he would have been there for you had he not waited for me. The bruise is a real bute though!!
The top TWENTY weird/memorable parts of the day for me were:
1. sitting at the town parking lot at 4am awaiting the carpool
2. seeing a corpse at 5am
3. running uphill at 6am (THIS IS WAY TOO EARLY. I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH NADIA! UGH!)
4. stomach problems at 8am, and again at 9am (double ugh)
5. watching helplessly as Quiet Man puked at about 1pm (Dude you really emptied out)
6. NO MAN LEFT BEHIND motto held true
7. still not getting caught by the 7am group (where are they??)
8. seeing a gimpy Mr B on the store porch! (Get better soon!)
9. Loopy’s competitive spirit AFTER 7 hours of running!
10. forgetting how long and steep the road climb is after the store
11. Forest’s resting bench, passed by without resting!
12. missing the downfall of Spuds who was “just there, then not” at Cathedral Pines
13. feeling stronger (?) near the climb up Mohawk
14. witnessing the magic of Suds appear, hug trees, disappear, nourish us, rescue us, flirt/chat with the eccentric old lady with the Porche, and yank Spuds out of delirium & back to the safety Bimbledom (although there might not be much difference in the last 2)
15. finishing this long crueling adventure with 3 amazing, powerful women (Loopy, Downhill, & Chipper). The women ruled the day (4 out of finishers of the Loop, Nadia with an extra helping of Magic!)
16. THE PUMP – thanks Mr B!!
17. Forest looking and saying he was tired…REALLY?
18. THE DINER!!! Horray to all!!!
19. the ride home, I was in and out of consciousness as Forest drove in and out of consciousness
20. Bed (whew), after run/hiking for 11.5 hours, and being awake for 21 hours!
A ToeStar and short video of the incredibly enthusiastic 6AM group can be found here:
https://plus.google.com/photos/103340912868500586965/albums/5749103838672433601
better late than never.
I’m a little late on reading this report… I seem to be out of the *loop*….but thanks just the same for sharing. Sounds like it was quite an adventure-filled day. What’s better than spending 11.5hrs with your friends? Apparently, run/hiking all 11.5 of those hours! A big WOOHOO to everyone who participated in this epic day. Perhaps I shall join the next looping….?
Your report is awesome and how about those Summer colors? I hear there is a summer loop on the Spring Loop.