Yes, it’s only a bit more than a week until this race. I have not yet looked at spreadsheets or the maps. I am in trouble. Hopefully I’ll remember how to run. Hopefully I’ll remember how to run in the dark looking for the occasional little tag with the arrow on it posted on the random tree.

I’ve been so busy with work, I’m afraid that I’ve been neglecting this blog. This “group” blog. This group of one. Where are all the other posters?

Let’s see. Can I post in the past? Can I make it look like I haven’t been slacking? Can anyone else post on this? Is it time for gratuitous pictures of caloric-laden treats? Or new shoes? Or beautiful paths to run?

Probably unlike the rest of the team, I have not yet looked at maps, descriptions, elevation charts, or anything else about this year’s race. I know I should, but if I put it off I’m sure I’ll do better. Yes, this is denial. OK – it’s not a major disaster or anything. I just needed a catchy title to go with the photo. I know it’s not chrome, but it is slightly educational. Right? I know I should take a look at the legs. I should look at Ryan’s spreadsheet. I should start preparing. But it’s oh so much fun to just get shoved out that van door unceremoniously and told to run. (We are VanToo after all. We eat our young. And copious amounts of Chex Mix.)

Lest we forget some of the fierce competition that awaits. It’s often forgotten that the race is very serious business for some of the other teams. (I think the tu-tus might cause a bit of chafing.) From the looks of it, there will be no Bucknellians representing this year. Google 3 will be back, though. There are many teams that are named “Running ______” and even more that are named “Team _______”. Wit is boundless. This blog was so much more active last Thursday.

This is the Thursday post. It’s not much to look at. It’s no where near as good as the Tuesday post. It can’t hold a candle to the Wednesday post. Heck this post couldn’t go up a wooden fence post and win a war of interesting. Yeesh. I am thinking about dinner in the middle of New Hampshire about 10:00 at night. A smelly group of runners arrives at a bar/restaurant looking for food. No cover charge and vittles? We’re good. Falling asleep on the plate is poor form. Getting to hear a band like The Conniption Fits is good. VanOne doesn’t know what they miss – just so they can have a plate of lo-mein while we run by their dragon adorned plate-glass window.

The town of Franconia, near the start of RTB at Cannon Mountain. Who knows if this place is a shopping mecca? Will there by fine Adidas apparel? Will there be fine dry ice? Will there be some sort of mint chocolate candy that cannot be found in any other store in the contiguous United States? Will there be slabs of chocolate cake so large that a fork truck is needed to serve them up? Do the poor people of Franconia have any idea what madness is going to descend on their sleepy hamlet? And what about that poor old Man in the Mountain?

Ah… here’s a picture from 2003 of Martha, some guy, and Chris. Not sure what the guy with the water bottle is doing. Seems to be intent on watching the television, or getting instruction on race strategy or something. Oh yeah, I seem to remember his name now – John! Well John, maneuvered us through a couple of years of this race, running some of the toughest legs with aplomb. Driving the van (almost) without taking any wrong turns. Snarking about apparel. Providing comic relief with sudden bathroom “needs”. (Oy!) John, this Chex is for you. *crunch*

Ha! Just for yucks I googled “Fellowship of the Bubblewrap” and the blog came up in the number one spot! One of Martha’s photo pages was the number two hit. I’m pretty sure they’re decorating VanOne in the picture above. Now it is Monday and there are 39 days left until race day. That’s five weeks and change. I’m not feeling fast – but I am feeling healthy, so that’s something I suppose. Is this blog an echo in the wilderness? Anyone else looking at this? Do we need flashier graphics? Fatter tires? More chrome?

Well, for most of the summer, it has been non-existent and has consisted solely of cross-training (and a big thanks to HC for his tips on the benefits of the erg). I started back to running last week.  For now I am relegated to the TM for a slow every other day transition back to running.  I have made it to 7 miles  as of today and am really ecstatic about it.  Little victories, I guess.  7 miles would be longer than any of my RTB legs, so this is a big milestone in my little world.  I’m not out of the woods yet since I have yet to run outside on roads with an irregular grade, not to mention hills. Hopefully, by the end of the month that will all be old news too. (You will not that I have not mentioned pace or speed. )

OK, I had to go to the forum to find this out. Unfortunately the card will be late. Hope you have a good one. Stay healthy.