Yesterday I managed to close several loops, all at the same time. It all happened on another trip up to the Cumberland Trail.
I had a route planned that would combine all the remaining trail, ATV road and gravel road options we needed to finish the Cumberland Trail 50k course design. We could GPS the run to measure all the options for this far end of the 50k course. The route fit nicely into one, succinct, and very ironic loop.
Liza and the crew on trail.
So the first loop I closed was the main purpose for the run. Checking out the lay of the land on foot. Like my planning professor told me years ago, don’t plan anything without going out to look at it in person.
Liza, Susan, and Tracy, conquering rocks
The second loop was introducing most of my Tuesday Haw Ridge crew, especially the Quick Chicks, to the CT. I’ve spent so much time telling them about it that it was a relief in a way to finally connect the two and close that loop. Now they know what I’m talking about on Tuesdays after a weekend spent exploring the trail. Now we can speak the same language.
Crossing fast-moving water on slick rocks.
The third loop was getting so many of the runners who are going with Rob and I to the Sweetwater 50K, with it’s deep water crossing, through some long water crossings (some deeper than this) that would make most 50k runners stop and look for another way – any other way – around. Don’t waste your time…there aren’t any drier ways across.
What a great weekend. So many loops closed. So many new connections ahead of me… Life is good.
