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Champaign Surprise!

November 16, 2019 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
Surprised my friend Andy “Beast” Garin ‘05 with the help of his wife Alli at their new home in Champaign, Illinois. Today we three went running at Lake in the Woods and found ourselves on an excellent high school cross country course that still had the spray painted arrows and starting boxes drawn on it from whatever weekend the last meet was. One of those classic cross country courses like Mercersburg or third battle with a wide well-mowed path lined with tall grass on both sides, good footing aside from the patches of snow, and interspersed with woodsy sections along with water. Even saw a kid with a NXN (Nike Cross Nationals) winter hat. Stopped to read some signs about Buffalo trails, prairie fire, and Abe Lincoln who apparently once spoke here. Ah, I love the Midwest! This is the ultimate Illinois experience, right down to the cornbread and frozen custard I had at dinner. Also, apparently covered bridges are a thing here too and not just in Vermont. Who knew? Andy made a point of having us run over one, twice. For me the exploring side trails via a rickety wooden bridge that looked like an Eagle Scout project was the true highlight.

Pace was pretty slow but I was pretty sore for some reason. Felt better as I ran. One more week till my last race of the season!