Sessions Woods, latest in the series of training events put on by WCOC and HVO, this one many thanks to George and Lyn Walker for making ti possible. Did the Red course, 6.3 km, since that was what JJ and Phil and Charlie were all doing. It's a bit long for me and I was really running out of gas towards the end. I suppose anything over 20 minutes is a bit long for me these days. Doesn't matter, really glad to be able to get out and do this at all.
Very good run -- and there actually was quite a lot of running (hence, probably, the running out of gas). The only mistake had to do with the start/finish and where it was in relation to where I (and Charlie and JJ) started and finished. It seemed likely we started in the wrong place by a little, but, to use what seems to be an appropriate term, whatever. We got some amusement out of it, Charlie saying at one point while we were waiting for JJ and Phil to come in, "I won't tell if you won't tell." That agreement lasted for about two minutes. :-)
The rest was really quite good. My main objective was no falls. I had given the matter some thought and had decided that it wasn't enough to just try not to fall. I needed to focus on my running mechanics to improve the odds. And so over and over reminding myself to pick my feet up, and to keep looking at the ground right in front of me (to some extent at the exclusion of looking around in the terrain and looking at the map). The result was no falls, though I remember feeling quite mentally exhausted at the need for constant attention. But it needs to be done.
Nice hang-out afterwards, also with Nancy who had done the Brown course. All with masks, all sufficiently spaced apart. The most memorable discussion from my perspective was of JJ's hair, now a rather glorious white. It seems he is using a special shampoo to keep it that way, and the shampoo is purple, weird, but obviously it works. We talked about plans to dye his hair at some point, not that it's needed, it really does look good, and I suggested he consult my go-to person on such matters, Julia.
Eventually it was time to head home, but for a little while life was very fine.
Route is on
RouteGadget.