The Revenge of the Ravioli or I Got Cobblered



The Revenge of the Ravioli or I Got Cobblered

Old man winter rolled into Charlotte as 5 PAX were ready to go 5 miles from the fountains of Blakeney.  It was time for the PJ route and at 5:15am we were off:

THE THANG:

I usually show the route via a picture from Strava, but I don’t have one. More on that later.

The PJ route: run up Rea Rd, toward Stone Crest Shopping Center, left on Williams Pond, left on Elm,  past the Morrison Y, left on Community House and then left on Ardrey Kell and back to base.

MOLESKIN

I typically arrive at 5am to warm up. It was essential this morning since it was close to 40 degrees at the start.  Today I had company, General pulled up about the same time I began my dynamic warmup. He was dragging stuff out of his car for the launch of Genesis. I was dragging myself thru my warmup. He was chatty and awake. I was barely coherent. At one point I saw him looking at his watch and it prompted me to tell him “I can’t believe I forgot my watch.”  He responded: “looks like you are going to have a rough morning.” I did not know he could tell the future.

As we left the parking lot and went up Rea Rd, one PAX who apparently came for Genesis, was caught up in the running frenzy and joined us.  While chatting with Gumbo, he realized that this was the running workout and back to Blakeney he went.

At that point, it was clear that Polly, Thin Mint and Bunker were trying to set a Blakovery PR.  Polly and Thin Mint overshot Williams Pond and were reigned in by Bunker.  Gumbo, who is battling a calf issues, was left behind and waited for me at the corner of Williams Pond and Elm.

Gumbo, who could tell I was dragging, questioned if I was going to make the entire route. I was determined to do so.  There were some signals that indicated a pit stop was in order.  I pressed on. A little further down Elm, things changed quickly. There was a Shell Station up ahead-hope in distance.  The neon lights were shining, so good news for Paper Jam.

As we arrived, I could see that it was false hope. They were closed. At that point I was about a mile from my house, a mile or so from the Y. Neither were realistic choices. As Gumbo kept running, my mind was racing on my best alternative. Knowing the landscape, there was a secluded spot nearby. Dark, not on any private property, perfect for a Cobblering.

When everything was finished, even with a renewed spring in my step, I knew the window of opportunity to run with anyone had closed. So it was a quick left turn down Parks Farm, thru the little neighborhood, out to Rea Rd, and back to Blakeney to find the others.

A quick stretch, COT and we were done.

Another chapter of Blakovery in the books.

 

 

 

 

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