Note
While I didn’t race this day, the memories will be treasured for a long time.
Out in the terrain at 7:30AM, vetting the string of controls along the eastern ridge. As I approached, the sun was coming up over the river, and a golden glow enveloped the forest, with glistening leaves accentuated with coruscating lights. And an enveloping stillness. Then, as passed by one of the marshes, a very large and frightened creature crashed and splashed across it, away from me. I know it is most likely not the case, but I would like to think that it was a moose that came to visit.
Then, back to PEEC for a spell of hanging, but then with urgency—taxing the handling capabilities of the SUV—careened back to the arena, and was stoked by the racing.
Next, control pick-up. Apparently, Tom was dissatisfied by my speed in the morning, so I took it upon myself to remove the entire SW quadrant, including 5 water stops. But, I got what I wanted. I was there in the gloaming. Again, stillness, and the warm glow. The softness of the forest, controls there for me alone, with a few gentle tracks from runners that traversed those hills over the course of the day.
You all may have your own ontology, but my day was metaphysical to the utmost.
Note
At around 9:30PM, set out with the headlamp and the controls, to set the S-most relay points. Almost ebone style. No compass. Tom took the NW ones, which aren't trivial, IMO.
Had some troubles, but got it done. At the saddle control, I thought I heard howling in the distance, and was happy to be on my way. As I got out to one of the trails, I noted a shining light off to my left. Was it Christine?
Then, after meeting Balter and streamering the route of the camera cable, staked the run to the start, and streamered OOB. No power tools this day after dark; I’d have to get that done during the sprint.