Notes
Come to Jesus.
Took the day "off" from work so that I could take the MTEL SEI... sucks to that. Spent 8:00-12:00 sequestered in Woburn Pearson VUE Test Center... felt like an animal trapped in a cage. They took a palm scan... thrice!!! I can't possibly imagine the amount of $$$ someone would have to pay me to impersonate them to take this ridiculous test. Whatever... it's done. Hopefully, I passed...
So, I felt the need to stretch my legs and get something positive out of the day. Fells running! I had planned ahead and brought my running clothes. Started at the usual spot just off Euclid Ave and began the usual loop. But, something just didn't seem right. I was still fired up about the test, mentally exhausted, and for some reason or another having a difficult time emotionally 'cause something reminded me of Sara... so, why not run the Skyline trail and suffer some more. My usual loop connects with the White Blazes by the side of the road off the North Reservoir, so I just looked at my watch (9:26) to see if I could get an accurate loop time. I know it's not any of the "official" segments, but I was curious. For the most part, I just eased into the hills. It's a beautiful trail, challenging to say the least. But, it's definitely one of the best (if not THE best) trails in the Fells and, for that matter, Greater Boston. I was feeling really solid, running 8:30's early on (easier section, I think) so I didn't back off or pick it up for a while. Well... I guess something got to me around Wright's Tower... I stopped for a few seconds to take in the Boston skyline (an aptly named trail...) and I felt inspired. So, back to the trail, and a few minutes later, I come across another bald and there's this strange barren tree stump, sitting alone on the top, with rings of rocks circling around... like a mini stonehenge...
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
and the Eye of Shemala spaketh unto me... "the sun may be high and hot, the hills are steep and unyielding, your mind may be tired and troubled... but the body was built to endure and your soul was meant to shine..."
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
So I let it all out. Burning... seething... beautiful pain. It was glorious.
Fortunately, I avoided any face-plants (this time). Can't wait to give it another go, and take on the FKT. I've got 7-8 minutes to knock off.
MTA: gps fail... bummer.