Several members of the HRC went to Cades Cove for a wonderful Fall training run.  This used to be an annual event but for one reason or another has not happened since 2008.  Martha and I, Skip Taylor and MaryAnn Sloan, Jim and Mary Jo Askew, Art and Vickie Heller, and Anthony and Sharon Lampros took advantage of a cool, overcast morning and ran, walked, or cycled the 11-mile loop; Anthony, who is training for a marathon, ran the loop twice. 

Along the way, we counted 13 bears, many at close quarters, lots of deer, and of course many turkeys in addition to myself.  This bear ran from under a tree, across a field, and across the road in front of us.  Now I know that I cannot outrun a bear:

OEI Par 5-K

What a great morning for the OEI Par 5-K, held at Highlands Falls Country Club this year.  It was a cool, crisp morning, and although some runners got lost and did not finish, many Club runners not only completed the race but placed.  I took first, but Martha was only one minute behind me (2nd Place).  Vickie Heller (1st Place) was breathing down my neck and 75-year-old Jim Askew (1st Place) was right behind her.

I'm going to have to start training harder . . .

Anderson Midnight Flight

Well, that seemed awfully brutal to me, and Martha thought it was tough, too, although I found out that she was right behind me for the first three miles.  Before I reached the first mile marker, my legs were reminding me loudly and indignantly that I had run an 8-K only six days earlier.  My slowest time ever at Anderson!  But I left nothing on the road, and neither did Martha, who also ended up taking a coveted 3rd place trophy.  So it was a good night!

And that awesome band was there again, playing Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn! - worth the price of the entry form.

Got to bed at 1:30 a.m.