Leatherman's Loop
Photo courtesy of Diane Bradsell
In January three of us agreed to set Leatherman’s Loop as a goal for the spring. Not in terms of distance, more as something to look forward to at the end of the winter.
We met five years ago at the Reach the Beach Relay in New Hampshire and have been friends and running buddies since. Through the long ascent into spring, we’ve been anticipating a fun run together. We frequently do morning runs, but I think the last race we ran in together was Reach the Beach when we met.
Gathered at the start we take note of each other’s shirt color- blue, orange, and one white, so we can find each other, in the crowd of 1300 runners, and stay together.
We get a lesson on how to tie the laces of our running shoes so that they stay tied while we wait for the run to begin.
The Father lead the assembled runners in a version of a Navajo prayer.
We met five years ago at the Reach the Beach Relay in New Hampshire and have been friends and running buddies since. Through the long ascent into spring, we’ve been anticipating a fun run together. We frequently do morning runs, but I think the last race we ran in together was Reach the Beach when we met.
Gathered at the start we take note of each other’s shirt color- blue, orange, and one white, so we can find each other, in the crowd of 1300 runners, and stay together.
We get a lesson on how to tie the laces of our running shoes so that they stay tied while we wait for the run to begin.
The Father lead the assembled runners in a version of a Navajo prayer.
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In Beauty I Walk
With beauty before me I walk With beauty before me I walk With beauty behind me I walk With beauty behind me I walk With beauty above me I walk With beauty above me I walk With beauty around me I walk With beauty around me I walk |
Photo Diane Bradsell
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Start of the 2018 Leatherman's Loop (photo by John Cummings)
And we’re off, across a field of trampled grass and weeds, down the hill to the left into the first of many soggy patches bringing our ‘running’ pace to a walk.
Shoe-sucking mud. That’s what two months of cold, wet weather creates- purportedly the muddiest conditions in the 32-year history of the Leatherman’s Loop.
For some, this is a fast-paced 10 kilometers of trails. The first runner to the finish took just 40 minutes, while the final pair back to the start spends 2:49 out on the trials.
Up, down and around, over felled trees, we nimbly pick our footing between baby-head boulders gaining a bit of speed before the next murky submersion.
“Well if there is beauty around me I surely can’t see it because I can’t take my eyes off the ground in front of me,” I say aloud around this point in the run.
Runners around us talk about past races and The Wall.
Trudging up a hill, I notice that some runners have red stripes on their bibs. It turns out those red stripes identified the runners who are running their 10th, or more, Leatherman’s Loop today. Well done!
We come to The Wall about 4 miles in. The Wall is steep, sandy, dirty, and thigh straining but not the hand over foot climb I was imagining.
There is no sign of the Leatherman’s cave, namesake of the race. Local legend has it that the Leatherman, always dressed head to toe in leather, walked a 365-mile loop around Connecticut and New York. A cave on what is now the Ward Pond Reservation was one of his regular resting places.
Shoe-sucking mud. That’s what two months of cold, wet weather creates- purportedly the muddiest conditions in the 32-year history of the Leatherman’s Loop.
For some, this is a fast-paced 10 kilometers of trails. The first runner to the finish took just 40 minutes, while the final pair back to the start spends 2:49 out on the trials.
Up, down and around, over felled trees, we nimbly pick our footing between baby-head boulders gaining a bit of speed before the next murky submersion.
“Well if there is beauty around me I surely can’t see it because I can’t take my eyes off the ground in front of me,” I say aloud around this point in the run.
Runners around us talk about past races and The Wall.
Trudging up a hill, I notice that some runners have red stripes on their bibs. It turns out those red stripes identified the runners who are running their 10th, or more, Leatherman’s Loop today. Well done!
We come to The Wall about 4 miles in. The Wall is steep, sandy, dirty, and thigh straining but not the hand over foot climb I was imagining.
There is no sign of the Leatherman’s cave, namesake of the race. Local legend has it that the Leatherman, always dressed head to toe in leather, walked a 365-mile loop around Connecticut and New York. A cave on what is now the Ward Pond Reservation was one of his regular resting places.
The Mud Flats
Nearing the last few miles we hit the Mud Flats. The Mud Flats are an extended section of goop bearing disconcerting resemblances to, alternately, chocolate fudge and a chocolate milkshake.
A wooden sign stands in the middle of the flats, but by now it's obscured by mud flung from hundreds of pairs of passing feet. I later learned the plaque read the Doug Garman Memorial Mud Flats.
Even at this point in the course, some runners try to avoid running through the gloopy trough.
I revel in the sludge, grinning to myself I acknowledge that I never grew up. I love getting dirty. I purposely splash in puddles, perturbing my running partners.
More than once I post hole through the surface of the ooze where the indentation remains momentarily until, with a slurp and burp, the hole collapses in upon itself.
A wooden sign stands in the middle of the flats, but by now it's obscured by mud flung from hundreds of pairs of passing feet. I later learned the plaque read the Doug Garman Memorial Mud Flats.
Even at this point in the course, some runners try to avoid running through the gloopy trough.
I revel in the sludge, grinning to myself I acknowledge that I never grew up. I love getting dirty. I purposely splash in puddles, perturbing my running partners.
More than once I post hole through the surface of the ooze where the indentation remains momentarily until, with a slurp and burp, the hole collapses in upon itself.
Second Creek Crossing
While we were gathered at the start runners were told that the wet conditions had almost caused the race director to take the second river crossing out of the race, but there had been too great a hue and cry so into the rushing water we go. There’s a rope strung across the creek to keep us from being swept away. Footing on the slick rocks is tenuous, and some folks go into icy spring water up to their chests before getting their hands out to catch themselves. Along the banks, spectators cheer and snap pics of the inglorious moments.
Much to my dismay, the dousing in the creek cleans most of the hard-earned gunk from my running shoes and shorts.
As I'm trotting through the final field up to the finish, I have to admit I’m sorry it’s over.
The three of us run across the finish line one after the other grimy and grateful for six miles of fun and friends.
Much to my dismay, the dousing in the creek cleans most of the hard-earned gunk from my running shoes and shorts.
As I'm trotting through the final field up to the finish, I have to admit I’m sorry it’s over.
The three of us run across the finish line one after the other grimy and grateful for six miles of fun and friends.
Fourteen year old Kelsey Crawford of Waccabuc won the Loop in the women's division, becoming the youngest winner in Loop history (photo by Sawyer Cummings)
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