Run #237, June 18th, 2006
Farewell Peach Liner!
Why take the long course when you could drink beer sooner? Last Sunday's hot, humid weather coerced the whole Hash crew to run the short course - despite the hard work Shinkansen and Kodama put into creating a long course. Well, only some chose the short path due to the weather. Somewhere, on some train, a pair of Sexy Baby's shoes were riding for free, forcing her to walk the short course. Many simply failed to find the long course - oops! But the run was on, and See Cucumber and I’ve been Ekiben took off in the lead, weaving away from Tokadai Center Station and through the streets of town.
Just when the runners started to get *really* hot, the course turned off onto a wooded path. The shade was appreciated as Hashers searched the half-paved, half-dirt trail for flour. Luckily, the large, barking dog was inside a fence and the bulldozing equipment wasn't on. Once out of the woods, it was time to make some decisions. One fork pointed uphill; the other pointed down. Time to split. See Cucumber took off down the hill, while others ventured up, only to find a new X a few hundred meters away.
Nearing the train tracks once again, the Hashers were starting to fatigue. A few false courses can tire you out. After more street running, the flour trail veered off (very inconspicuously) onto the grass, and eventually led to a steep set of wooden stairs. After one more residential neighborhood, and one more park, runners found the long awaited NB sign. But were they really Near Bear? A group of about six Hashers climbed up and down the radio tower stairs many times, and wandered aimlessly around the park searching for the goal (and its associated golden beverage). Nearly ready to give up, a jog back toward the fountain led to the goal, where Kodama was waiting with a beautifully prepared feast. The fountain was better for some than for others; Sexy Baby and Shinkansen were both mercilessly baptized by its waters, while others chose to soak their tired feet in its cool beauty.
The usual post-run pleasure drinking was followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant, and everybody returned home happy and healthy. :)
On On Liz