The Big Splash Preview

Because Phil missed the Big Splash in the fall due to a bout with the Swine Flu, we decided to preview next year's big tour with a big run. We included David Kealhofer, a cross country runner, who has been running with us lately. Because it was forecast to be 85 degrees by mid day, we decided to set out at 5:40, before the heat wave set in. We had all been up late the night before, but we warmed up as we headed down north hoosack road towards the Appalachian Trail. We took the AT to the beginning of the Schnell, and followed the Schnell to the top of Greylock. We then took Roaring Brook Trail to route 7, where we encountered the world's longest straightaway. Although we were only on route 7 for two miles, it felt like hours. After a brief break, we took a dirt road to Oblong road and to the Phelps Trail. By this point, temperatures were verging on unbearable, and running became tougher as we approached Berlin. The view from Berlin, though, was pretty incredible, because we could see where we had been on Greylock several hours earlier. We made it onto the RRR, but had to flag down a car to take David back, because he wasn't feeling so hot. After ensuring he was ok, we made it home and collapsed at Mission, where thankfully, the dining hall was much cooler.