Long on Lester

Danny Boy has done a whole lot of long runs on Lester. Today, running gods willing, will be yet another.

 A thought occurs to him. Maybe it would be better to do 19 miles, rather than the usual long run total of 18. Wouldn't that be crazy? 19 seems like a good number today because: 1) 18 doesn't seem like quite enough, and 2) 20 would be too much. Sound reasoning, right?

A good way to do 19 would be to do one mile before the rest of the gang arrives. That way, he'd only have to worry about the last 18, and much of that running would be with friends. But even though he arrives ten minutes early, he's unable to get that first mile in. It seems that one of today's companions, Katherine Kinsey, has also arrived early, and Danny Boy winds up spending the extra time kibbitzing with her. Oh well, he thinks; if he does only 18 today, it won't be a total failure.

Within a few minutes, Shannon Barnes, Chadwick Sunday (and Ella), Julie Boggs, and Kelly Parker arrive. Yes, it's four tough and accomplished runners (plus Ella), and Old Danny Boy. We do one 6-mile loop in the early morning gloom, return back to York Township Municipality Park, and pick up yet two more friends: Harold Dravenstott and Debbie Hicks. Now we have seven (not including Ella). And it's getting real.

The humidity makes it tough but we get through another loop. People begin dropping off (Katherine has run her longest ever), but Julie, Chadwick, and Danny Boy soldier on. Somehow, the number 19 arrives on their watches, and they can stop.

Been a good one. Let's keep it going, thinks Danny Boy. He's thankful for his friends.