A Soup Run, by Ymir's Beard!

January 1st, an event that all regular readers of this blog recognize as a monumental event in the year of E Streeters lore, not to mention a chronicle of running exploits the likes of which can't be found in many other tomes of the written word.

This year, the annual outing from Westford's Dunstable Road included four bearded warriors, girded for battle with the facial hair to prove it.

No, not those four - THESE FOUR

Tell the truth, which four are more likely to instill fear into the hearts of orcs everywhere?

Okay then, moving on.

Let's start with the stars of this annual post - the chicken stew and the pasta fagioli.

Rock star status once again granted to Karen not just for engineering this pair of culinary delights, but for joining a group of ragtag rogues on the roadways and kicking some mighty butt on the hills of Tyngsboro.

Before the run, I was honored to receive this specially-made shirt from my fellow E Streeters.  While I can't attest to the nationwide status as group spokesman, I'm happy to at least wear the crown when it comes to blogging about our running and Bruce excursions. 

Pre-run in our basement staging area, Scott was inundated with a plethora of wardrobe questions, some of which would be heeded, many of which would be ignored.  Carlos just looked on in abject and aggravated silence as his running mates debated the attire of the day.

My hat was ready to run.

Outside, there was still a debate raging, but it was too late.  And Carlos, still clearly perturbed, just wanted to get going.  Sounds like a job for Mean Carlos!

Then in a flash, we were off, down the treacherous, normally ice-encrusted driveway of John and Karen's heading into the wilds of Westford.

Who's that mysterious figure in the lead?

THIS guy. 

Right around the corner, just like the inevitable New Year, comes the first town line race of the year.

This year, unlike years past, there was a clear, undisputed winner. 

And there to congratulate him from the other side of the town line, is Tyngsboro's favorite melon target, John.

These two warriors have been running together since their days in the 1980s at Chelmsford High School.  Here's Scott and John revisiting their past glories together.

At least one person in this group knows the fundamental rule of running - to always know where the camera is.  Nicely done, Karen!

Running the mean streets of Tyngsboro, and not a cantaloupe in sight.

A classic team picture 

Ruined, apparently when out of nowhere, a rogue rind took Sean out of the picture 

Heading up one of Tyngsboro's THREE heartbreak hills, Karen is still doing the wave 

But back on Dunstable Road, heading towards his home territory, John surges ahead into the lead.  Andrew takes advantage of the moment to start his 2016 photo-bombing onslaught. 

 An escapade he continued, joined by John, who somehow, inexplicably, slipped back into the rear of the pack 

Finally, from high atop Mount Washington, or whatever that street was we ran up, the views are spectacular.

And back into the homestretch, Karen claims her own town line, joined by her congratulatory nephew, Ryan.

And finally, the reason why we run.  Or at least the reason why we run in Westford and Tyngsboro every New Year's Day at 11 a.m.  - the feast!

This year, the chicken stew nosed out the pasta fagioli, voting the latter off the island.  We can't wait to see what next year's offerings include!

Special thanks to the founders of the feast, Karen and John!

And here's to a prosperous, healthy fun-filled year for all of the E Streeters and their extended families, loved ones and friends!
We're fortunate to have such a staunch group of friends and loved ones, and lucky that we're all still here to share the inappropriate jokes, and log the miles on the roadways and the concert circuits together.

Happy New Year to all!