SOAW Run - 2004
Day 1
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PeaceHq |
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SOAW Run - 2004 |
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Friday November 19th, 2004 Soon our group of runners was up and packed for the days journey, but we were not about to leave without experiencing some of the Vine and Fig Tree's world class hospitality. You didn't have to ask this entourage twice if they wanted a sit down breakfast (a rare occurrence on the road). After all the coffee, eggs, toast with home made jams and jellys we could consume, we were ready to drive up to the starting point of our days run. So after many hugs and heart felt thanks for our hosts, we headed toward Columbus, Ga. John Toren couldn't abandon his responsibility as supporter of the walkers for today, so we were one runner short for the day. Once we reached Columbus it was decided that since we had driven all night, and were getting a late start with very little rest we couldn't afford another hour and a half to go to Cordele and Crisp Co. jail to start, so we ran the first days miles backwards ( since what really matters is covering all the miles!). We drove out 39 miles from Columbus, which would be our next days running distance, had our beginning circle, and started our run headed for Cordele (78 miles down the road). The group was divided into 2 running teams; Jon, Mark, and Devin in Jons van took the lead, and Jim, Larry, 
Meagan, and Clark in Jims van would complete the miles to the Crisp Co. jail. It was decided as we drove up to where Clark started our miles to divide our mileages into two sections for each person. Clark went out first followed by Meagan, then Larry and Jim going last. Just as Jim stopped to let me out for my miles the grey overcast cut loose with a steady soaking rain. Adjusting to whatever conditions prevail, we had learned to do what the wise ancients had done under similar weather patterns "they let it rain!" None in our group had disintegrated or melted down because of being soaked to the bone as we completed our first sections of miles, and we switched to dry socks only as we rotated into our second sections of miles. Because of the late start and the distance to cover before we could even start our miles coupled with the early hour of sundown, the last two sections of the day by Jim and Larry had to be completed in the dark. A fairly tricky and not altogether pleasant thing to do, dodging traffic on a fairly narrow country road in the dark. The Creator must have heard our prayers, as all runners completed their committments safe and sound (although certainly not dry) for the day.
Our rendevous and overnight site was to be Florence Marina State Park on a remote section of the Chattahoochee river, which is the boundry between SW Georgia and SE Alabama. After an all night drive and a bunch of thoroughly wet miles, we still had 70 miles or so to get to the park. We stopped for sub-way sandwiches for dinner and then completed what seemed like an endless drive over to the state park, where we still had to set up camp in the dark. We caught up with the Jon's van and Marcus, who had brought John down to the park so he could run with us the next day, and fortunately the rain cleared out for the night. By the time we had all pitched our tents (which isn't particularly easy in the dark I might add) it was getting fairly late and we all crashed for some well earned rest for tommorrow. TIL THE AM! TIL THE AM! |
Participants Clark Filio Devin Elgert Jim Toren John Toren Jon Blickenstaff Larry Crane Mark Porter-Webb Mary "T" Meagen Kresge Arrival Day 2 Home |