Ice Stampede

Beaufort had a record of four AO’S this week which is unprecedented, but not unexpected. The coolest small town had risen from the ashes after being left for dead. Beaufort truly rules.

With the town sporting a new record, a new restaurant, and a new bridge, nine finely-tuned runners fought the fart sack monster and posted for what they thought was a routine run to the fish house and back. This was not to be the case. To surprised faces, I laid out the route ahead of us to the best of my Google Earth memory. Granted, I really wasn’t sure what to expect, I had made the run since several months ago, and Graco had performed the reconnaissance on this and his barometer for what passes as safe was about to be tested. After Gert chose from his selection of headlamps and the disclaimer was disclaimed, were off and headed north up Turner Street. Lots of chatter ensued during the first several blocks and I may have heard a prayer being muttered for Tweed to please show up late.

The run had the feel of a tough mudder with ice, rock, heavy equipment and barriers to dodge. Madoff took out the plumb line for the Turner Street Bridge on the way up and back, making sure the roads in Beaufort would stay wonky for years to come. A hard left was made at the new US 70 intersection and up the bridge, we went. Graco and Flip took the lead, we all shared light from headlamps throughout, which was good, Doogie has enough work on Fridays. With plenty of ice to avoid on both the north and south lanes, the stampede became a game of Frogger without the cars.
Graco and Flip went ahead of the Pax into the dark testing the ice and expansion joints. Both ran to the turn in for the Morehead City Boat ramp. Others ran to the end of construction on the causeway and back. We hit the turntable at the end of Front Street and sprinted back to the Dockhouse to meet. All in all the run ranged between 4 and 5 miles with Gert running the parking lot and front street to complete the five, GPS to prove it.

A great morning workout, without injuries or arrest. Something I aspire to every day. Winnie took us out in prayer on a beautiful morning in Carterico.

Honored to lead one of the most fun and adventurous runs in Beaufort. We should all do it again.

-Bunion