Trail Run 11:39:39 [1] 29.1 mi (24:03 / mi) +2967m 18:16 / mi
ahr:123 max:216
New Person wanted to run a Pemi Loop. I've already done a Pemi Loop, and I just signed up for a 100 mile, but I was promised it would be slower, and seemed like a not terrible taper for the 100 I just signed up for.
So we set out before sunrise, with my headlamp providing most of the light, and ran 10s out for the first few miles, with one trip-and-fall (not me!). Then I stopped my watch and forgot to start it, once again proving I am way too ADD to ever stop my watch. The color is actually just past peak here, which is very early (probably dry?) and we began the walk up the long climb up Bondcliff.
Didn't see many people until Bondcliff, then we saw camping on the trail, smoking a blunt on the trail (there are "no smoking or fires" signs) and I was already over-goofered. But that was the worst behavior of the day (with the exception of a couple sitting in the middle of the trail on Franconia Ridge making everyone else go around, the only people I spoke to in a stern voice; I thought they were injured maybe, but no, just being dinks). Then scurrying along to South Twin, definitely wetter than a few weeks ago, especially the bog bridges.
Down to Galehead, and then new territory for New Person, and she learned that yes, this portion is a junk show. It was also wetter, and she is not as confident in her footfall, especially since she only really started trail running a little more than a year ago. Which I kept having to remind myself of. A long stop for water at Garfield (running fine) and I was doing a great job of hydration: I peed more than half a dozen times, and also ate plenty of food. The 7 oz, 1050 cal bag of cheez-its was a big help.
Long climb up Skook, and her legs were getting tired "this is the hardest thing I've ever done" before the scamper down Lafayette. Climbs were laborious now, but luckily not too long. We made it over Flume but not particularly fast, and had time to make it before dark, if barely. On the steep part of the Osseo Trail, though, we didn't move quickly; she had hip flexor issues and was having trouble with the steps. So it seemed like it might be a long way down.
Except once the steps ended, a second wind was found. All of the sudden she started jogging. Then running. I could barely keep up. She's often far too deferential in not passing people on the trail (I maybe go too far in the other direction) but now was yelling at people to get out of her way. She was on a mission. Still slowed for the little ups, but 8 minute pace on the downs, flying. And once we hit the flat ground, more running. Quite a turn of events!
Which also meant we were out well before dark, in time to sit in the conga line on the Kanc, which the day before apparently took 4 hours to drive across (good lord!) and took us 30 minutes to get to Lincoln, where we ate food.