Just a quick picture from the long run in Coventry. Three runners attended, two of whom are shown here running down Narrow Ln, about 5 miles into the run.

Narrow Ln

“A good long run requires more time to plan than to execute.” –Anonymous

Long runs can be boring, but they don’t have to be. To combat boredom, the runner has two primary weapons in his arsenal: company and variety. It is a bitter irony, though, that the implementation of the latter diminishes the former. It is a simple mathematical fact, then, that THE MOST INTERESTING RUN EVER will have zero attendance.

Flying in the face mathematics, however, Brian organized THE MOST INTERESTING RUN EVER, and three people attended: Brian, Mike, and Mark. (Mark deserves special recognition for making THE MOST INTERESTING RUN EVER his first run with the club.) These three runners boarded the 11-a.m. ferry in Pt. Judith, bound for Block Island, and enjoyed a not-so-bumpy ride to the island. What follows is a short picture-narrative of the run.

Click HERE to see the route.

One logistical concern dealt with the question of where to stash bags. (Mark boldly embarked on this 8-hour adventure in running singlet, shorts, and shoes, with no luggage.) The Visitor’s Center was open, but was to close at 3:00 p.m., so the runners made use of the nice rack behind the building.

Outdoor rack

The run began in Old Harbor and ran toward the north end of the island.

Early in the run: Mark running north

At about three miles into the run, the route turned right onto the Clay Head Nature Trail. It was a beautiful day and the views from the high bluffs were spectacular. (Mike and Brian were, at this point, ahead of Mark. The two groups didn’t meet again until after the run.)

The trailhead

View from the Clay Head Trail

Running along the Clay Head Trail

Exiting the trails, the runners turned again north and followed the road to its end, at which there is a good view of the North Light in the distance.

The North Light

Mile 6 through 11 took the runners back south and through the middle of the island, past the airport, taking a right onto Cherry Hill Rd. at Rodman’s Hollow. The left onto Lewis Farm Rd. began a fascinating and breathtaking three-mile journey through Ireland-like fields and stone walls, then onto and along the rugged south beach that is towered over by high bluffs.

Ireland I

Ireland II

Running along the south beach

The beach run was about two miles of slow going to the Mohegan Bluffs at Southeast Light. To get off the beach and back onto the roads, the runners scrambled up to the steep stairs, and (in a quad-burning burst of adrenaline) ran every step to the top.

The bottom end of the stairs

Once on the roads, the quads eventually recovered enough for Brian to push the pace for the last three miles (all of which were close to six-minute miles). The Visitor’s Center and bag rack were a welcome sight after the 18-mile run, and the runners enjoyed hearty refreshment at the Mohegan Cafe.

Mohegan Cafe (with one of the three runners menu-browsing )

With 30 minutes to kill and $8 of change, the runners found an open candy store. The sign in front advertised free fudge, but it was not free, so an $8 bag of random chocolates (including a piece of chocolate-covered bacon) served as dessert.

The warm ferry ride home was smooth and uneventful, and thus ended THE MOST INTERESTING RUN EVER.

Registration for the second annual Gansett Half is now open. The race will be held on Sunday, October 25 at 11am.

REGISTER

Now through August 15 = $55

August 15 through Sept 15 = $65

Sept 15 through Oct 25 = $75