With no reason to watch this year's Super Bowl, it was the perfect excuse for an E Streeters group run, incorporating part of the infamous "commute," a winding, hilly course that spans Westford and Groton.
As an added bonus, it even gave us a chance for some quality, if not icy, trail running on the hills of MIT, where we encountered a man out walking his dog and happy to document our group run.
Barry, legendary for exposing illegal gambling dens across the Merrimack Valley, shows John what a Super Bowl pool MIGHT look like if one was looking. Which one wasn't. From here, Barry was off to the Abbey Road Tavern.
Right out of the gate, we broke into Secret Service formation, protecting John should we run into the errant Pomeranian
Yesterday's hills in Bolton didn't discourage Tommy for lacing them up for another outing today.
Marathon Men, Marathon Swag
Why is this man smiling? Could it be because he's heading to the 1974 Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders reunion this week? Could be...
Gorgeous trails provide a picturesque background for us. Up to this point, Tommy was enjoying himself. That would change.
Suddenly, it hit! Ice on the trail! And not just small patches of it, but long stretches that would test the agility of even the most agile of runners. (See next pic)
Alas, the ice would claim its first victim, as Barry performed his best Bambi impersonation, finally succumbing to gravity despite three valiant attemps to stay upright. Thankfully, as always, Carlos was there for him.
At this point, Tommy stopped enjoying the trails and gave them a thumbs down. He didn't know what waited around the next few bends.
Like the mythical trolls of old, a swarm of yellowjackets waits beneath a bridge
A makeshift footbridge spans our first brook crossing
Thinking it could help with his hunting, John contemplates the value of deer-antler spray
Finally, at victory's end on Martins Pond Road, awaited the legendary Spence chili, previously available only to the Top 10 finishers of April's Merrimack River Trail race.
Sean and John, clearly torqued because Barry's on his third bowl and they haven't had their first
Indeed, since it was a chili day, there was no soup to be found. Nor would there likely be a Super Bowl we'd be watching either.
Wait 'till next year!
1 comment:
You're all braver and more dedicated men than me. Glad to see no one got hurt. Good thing Puxatawny Phil saw his shadow. These icy runs should soon be a thing of the past.
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