Last night I finally got back on the path for my 4th run in the summer series. I swear my skipping a few weeks was completely unrelated to the challenge of Thacher Park! Life has been a bit hectic and I’ve been running later in the evening because of the heat.
It was the second time this year that ARE looped around 5 Rivers, but since I missed the earlier run, it was a first for me. My experience on the beautiful trails at 5 Rivers was limited to a cross-country ski outing a couple of years ago and I was curious to see the area in the full-out lushness of summer. I was not disappointed.
The course we ran melded together a number of different trails. The surface varied between mowed grass, wood chips, dirt, moss and small stones and was sufficiently wide enough in most places for 3 runners to run abreast. Other than an incline in the last half mile or so, the course was fairly flat with a few downhill sections. The views were lovely and it was a real treat to run by the series of small ponds to the welcome chorus of bullfrogs.
The loop we took was approximately 3 miles and I would definitely like to do it again. As always, folks were friendly and the pace was relaxed and comfortable. We’re just beyond the midway point in the series and I’m right on track with my goal of making 50% of the runs. Next week’s course has not yet been determined, but there will be pizza. See you there!
DelSo 