In The DNA

December 30th, 2008 Posted in Story

Today, took advantage of the business slow down between Christmas and New Year’s and did a mid-week long run in one of my favorite running hood #1, Blue Hills.  What made this an extra special run was that

Shans (Chris #2) and I were accompanied by three ultra neophytes, experiencing their longest trail run ever and first time in the Hills.  We decided to run the last 19 miles of the yet-to-be-named new Trail Animals 50 mile course.  It covers a diverse portion of the Blue Hills including Pongapoag, the CCC Camp and Rattlesnake Hill.  It includes navigating some very rocky stream beds, a cross country section over numerous logs, fallen trees and streams, a rock scramble and some bush whacking.  It’s not a beginner’s course.  All-in-all, it was a great day as we ran on a dusting of new snow, under a blustery blue sky and decent temps (~20 degrees).  Everyone did great and felt the satisfaction one gets after burning through 2,000 calories.  Much of the last 2 miles focused on what kind of meal we were going to consume - a sign that John “JP” Power, his son Eoin of Middlebury College and my son Drew of Washington & Lee University are all naturals at trail running.  And I must admit, it was very satisfying seeing Drew cruise into the finish, showing little worse for the wear.  He’s got some skill and the right mind-set for endurance running.  I hope some of that came from the family DNA.  I can at least make believe