The Running of the Bulldogs and the Return of Spring

What an amazing day.  6 days ago, we in Richmond received about a foot of snow and the temperature hovered at 11 for several days.  Anita & I built a snowman prior to the temperature plummeting.  We had a wonderful time doing it.

Friday it got up to 50 degrees and Saturday morning dawned with temperatures in the low 60's.

I got up early to join Annnn, Deanna & Jen for the St Bridget's Bulldog 5k.  Annnn's young daughter decided to join us at the last minute, which changed our race strategy (but only slightly).  After some significant and last minute changes to where the actual starting line was (and which direction the race would go), we started off on what was supposed to be a run a little (slowly), walk a little kind of an outing.  Turns out Deanna was sandbagging just a bit because somehow having just finished recovery from a foot stress fracture, she was fast.  OK, fast is not objective.  However, I'm here to tell you as a fully indoctrinated back of the packer that Deanna no longer qualifies (I don't know if she ever did).

That's nothing against Deanna.  Nothing.  One of the nicest and most generous folks on the face of the Earth, she can hang with us back of the back of the packers any time.  But that doesn't make her a member!

Anyway, I hung with Deanna & Jen until a little shortcut was taken by young race pack.  When we caught back up with Lulu's group, I dropped out of the overachievers and walked/ran with Annnnn, Ashley & Lulu - all dictated by what Lulu felt like.  

The whole "run" was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute.  And then it got better!  After losing Ann momentarily, we all went over to Cafe Something or Other on Grove, just a brief walk from St. Bridget's where Annnnnnnn indoctrinated us into the newest and best after-race event ever. Good wine, good friends and good food.

I'm thinking of running 100 yard dashes every Saturday, just for wine at 9am with good people!

So after a great Saturday morning, I hurry home, shower & change and hit the golf course by 11:40 with Anita & Deanna's husband, Gary.  We had a great time, though the golf was slowed dramatically be people in front of us.  Slow golf is awful, but it was offset by chatting and catching up some with Gary.

All in all, a GREAT Saturday!