The Fagerman brothers (patrick and jeff), Larry Dickerson, and Jon Elmore came to my house at 6am and we headed out for a little run. North on 16th Ave to the river at the Hwy 31 bridge. I was convinced someone was going to call 911 when they saw us crossing this bridge (which has been the scene of more than a couple jumpers). There is a great shoulder but it is not a pedestrian bridge. Jon called a coworker at the 911 office to head this anxiety off at the pass. He tried to get a police escort but they must have been busy. After only one car honked at us, we left the causeway and entered the wheeler wildlife refuge. Nice surface which is right next the the River. We cut north through the woods and came out in historical Mooresville. At 13 miles, Larry, Patrick, and Jeff bid us farewell with full bottles of gatorade. We ran on frontage roads along Interstate 565 for the next 5 miles. Fast and straight but it got old. We cut north again on County Line road and then stopped at a Chevron station for refueling (gatorade, water, and a Dark Chocolate Snickers for me). Went east on Palmer Rd past several big bulls in pasture and came out in old Madison downtown by the railroad tracks. Jon started hurting (shins) at this point and slowed. We stuck together onto Hughes road and then Jon started walking. I had been updating my location on facebook so a work friend of mine , Sooi, came by not too much later and picked up Jon. He was getting hold and appreciated the rescue after 26 miles. Not bad after running a 2:59 marathon 10 days ago. Sooi and Jon caught up with me on Old Madison Pike at the Bridge Street Mall. After a picture and a Clif Bar, I was on my way again. Two miles down the road my friend Sidney drove by and gave me a nice cheer. This facebook enhanced long run is nice. I got half a dozen comments from other friends during the run. From there went down Bob Wallace where I passed Jon where Sooi dropped him at a convenience store. Hopped on the marathon course then took a left on Airport Rd. After a nice climb and descent, I arrived at Fleet Feet Huntsville 6 hrs after I started. Suzanne (co-owner) gave Jon and I oranges, fudge, and mtn dew. yummy. | 