投稿日: Dec 19, 2012 1:59:41 PM
52th Run December 9, 2012
Scribe: Whiplash
Hares: Crusader & Jelly Mouth
Distance approx. 11km Eagle – approx. 10km Turkey with 8 check points.
Start Time: approx. 14:15 from The Royal Parisol restaurant in Kuruwa near the Sajima Marina.
Weather: Sunny, breezy and cold.
Runners: 22-23 + 2 furry friends!
Fullerair, Sweetie, Dragonfly, Santa Maria, Kim Will Run, Ass Licker, Cats Eyes, That’s The Way (4 months pregnant – go girl!) & her Hubby, Karnya & her hubby, Pasconti & Bisconti, Good on Top, Desperado, Safety Last, Whiplash, Tapeworm, plus 2-3 more and Crusdaer & Jelly Mouth.
It was a bright, chilly day in a very scenic location. A 20 minute bus ride from Zushi Station put us in front of the Royal Parisol restaurant where we would later end up for a delicious dinner. If memory serves correctly, I do believe all the runners where present and ready to go at 14:00, but the Hare was nowhere to be seen! It did not take long for Crusader to come running up from around the corner after putting the finishing touches on his trail. He quickly gave us all the required information and we were off.
The trail started with a pretty good hill which quickly veered off onto a false trail straight up a steep, dodgy hill. This was either a brilliant move on the part of the Hare, or a sadistic one because only a small handful of runners avoided that nasty false start with it being so early on in the run! Very sneaky…. We proceeded on pavement for a short distance then disappeared into the woods on a challenging trail for the majority of this run. The trail was beautiful, steep, covered in leaves and had a few very scenic spots. We did a lot of climbing and I think part of me must still be on that mountain because it did not feel like we came down nearly as much as we went up! I can say in the few small groups I was up there with, I saw several slips and stumbles and a few near misses which would have been lip stands for sure!
Unfortunately for Ass Licker, he managed a groin pull that seemed to get the better of him as the night went on. Still, he was the first runner back even after (apparently) taking the time to switch the Eagle & Turkey arrows! Instant karma, or bad luck? I guess only he knows for sure! I am not sure of his time but I believe he was followed in by Good on Top and Cats Eyes. Desperado and Bisconti brought up the rear and were warmly welcomed by all, but especially by Jelly Mouth who had delicious warm wine (Rapunzel Gluhwein) which was such a nice treat! Never again will we underestimate the pleasure of a hot totty on a cold day after a run! Yum Yum. There was plenty of beer, wine, water too.
Our gathering place at the end of the run was beautiful! Right beside the ocean which was churning up big, frothy waves that look so good in photos, especially when the sun blankets everything in soft, yellow light as it gets lower in the sky… We looked out on a jagged coast line with grass and trees as the sun sank into the horizon. It really was absolutely perfect timing at a fab location for the forming of the circle, just a bit chilly. Crusdaer, who is obviously no stranger to detail, prepared us for this and had collected everyone’s jackets earlier on and had them waiting for us along with the refreshments. Very thoughtful. The circle was formed and we all took our turn. It was uneventful with no new business however; I did hear a few comments about wasting flour and baking cakes, LOL. The entire trail was very well marked with chalk and flour for which I was very grateful. It was a very challenging trail even though hardly anyone would admit it! Come on, it was hard people!!! Once the circle broke up we had about a 10 minute walk back the restaurant where we finally got inside and got changed and dry.
The Royal Parisol was a bit slow to get going but once again Crusader stepped in and personally brought and poured several jugs of beer and wine, what a host! Once the food started coming, it was one delicious dish after another and it was probably the best Indian food I have ever had. (After 10 years in the Middle East, that is high praise indeed.) There was a great turn out for dinner with 18 of us (or was it 19?). Several people commented that there was more than enough food and tummies were full. Our tables were set up on the main floor so our 4-legged friends could stay with us. Ginger was whisked home but Dragonfly’s lap warmer stayed to the bitter end! When the food stopped coming we started thinking about getting back to the train station. Several taxis were called and the group began to disperse…
Thanks Crusader & Jelly Mouth, you showed us all how it’s done that for sure!