And then it was my (devil’s) turn

And then it was my (devil’s) turn

23 PAX posted in the gloom for a Devil’s Turn featuring an out-and-back course through Raintree in YHC’s first Q at the site (and 4th overall post).  It was 8 miles round-trip from the Greenway parking lot to the turn-around point at Providence Road and back, which requires a serious 7:30 average pace over the Raintree hills to achieve in an hour.   Great course and, as usual, the PAX set off with determination.  Within the first quarter-mile it was clear there was a group including Swiper, Turkey Leg, Fletch, Depth Charge and others pushing to run the full route. The rest of the PAX settled into a solid pace and starting knocking off the miles.  The gradual downhill down 51 to Raintree lane creates a false sense of comfort, which is soon erased when you turn onto Raintree lane and hit the rolling hills.  Solid efforts were put in all around and everyone did a good job turning around at the appropriate time to head back.  Once back at the Greenway, Fletch came screaming in to be the first to complete the full 8 mile loop.  From my count, Turkey Leg and Swiper also made the full loop (we’ll leave it to the judges to decide whether they made it in less than an hour).  If I missed anyone who completed the whole thing, please do correct me in the comments, as that effort is worthy of recognition.  Great push by the rest of the PAX and a special kudos to Haggis for posting on the heels of running a 50K the weekend before on the west coast.

We closed out with a prayer for Cheech, the F3 runner tragically killed during a workout that week outside of Columbia, as well as for his family.  They were on my mind and in my prayers during much of the run that morning, and I’m sure many of the other PAX can say the same.

Thanks very much to Bunker and Gumbo for handing me the DT keys for the week, and the PAX for graciously letting me try and fill their shoes.   It was an honor to lead.