Another day, another project.
A drunkard's path, which somehow needs to lead to wedding rings...
What sort of quilt pattern would you choose for a 50th wedding anniversary present? Drunkard's Path? OK, so it needs some golden rings worked in somewhere...
Next question. What do you name a ten mile foot race course, completely off road? Too easy. That's an XTerra Trail Run.
But what if it's 10 miles, held on nearly 100% unused trail, and in some spots no trail at all? What if it includes a bit of swamp swimming for those of less than average height? And bush whacking up and down the sides of an old phosphate mine? Sides so steep that you have to claw your way up and slide your way back down? What do you name that one?
The XTerra Claw, of course.
Sounds like a blast, doesn't it?
Makes me sad I didn't enter.
But I have learned not to waste an entry fee when there's no swim or bike ride first to even things up a bit.
Popeye, on the other hand...
May 1, 8AM. The Claw 10-miler start.
Who knew there would be so many trail runners up for 10 miles of bush whacking? 135 men, 82 women.
There was a five mile distance as well. 91 men, 90 women.
The trail goes off the side of a berm.
See the vines hanging?
Most people end up swinging down.
Plenty of orange ribbons marking the way.
Just so no one misses out on the free foot wash/creek run.
Better the foot wash on the creek side of that berm
than the other side, the swamp side.
Popeye does well. First in his age group, 7th overall.
I'm saying he's ready for Wickham Park Marathon at the end of this month, and the Richmond Xterra in June. (Wish I could say the same for myself.)
"Mugging" for the camera.
All the 10 mile finishers get a mug. Thank you, XTerra and TampaRaces. After beer glasses, mugs are always the best prizes. Can't drink out of a medal!
Then we get to ride.
Someday I promise to stop and take a photo of the North Creek bike section. It's on the other side of that green swampy stuff in the picture above, with narrow edgy trails built up to follow the contours of the berms.
Uh, narrow edges. Swamp directly below. Gators. My all-time favorite Florida combination. Please excuse me this time for not stopping.
The only pictures I took this trip were of the pretty, flat sections, where you can stand and hold a camera without danger of sliding off an edge. There isn't one of the tougher stuff that Alafia offers. Although, there were two unicyclists about to tackle Rock Garden, speaking of tough.
About thirty five miles of trail riding for the weekend, plus ten miles of running (and clawing) for Popeye. Then it's time to break camp and head home....
....where I have special permission to use the extra large, Claw coffee mug.
And for somehow turning a queen size Drunkard's Path into a golden anniversary quilt - I'm probably going to need it.
Right after I go for a run.
No comments:
Post a Comment