After attending only three previous Ring Runs, and seeing how free-form they were, I signed up to Q. I thought it has to be pretty easy, right? Just run and when you feel like it, do some Mary. Or, if you're Egypt, run through a high-end neighborhood and get lost for 30 minutes and try to find your way out. Easy enough...or so I thought. The problem is: there are a lot of fast guys who post here, and I am not one of them. Luckily, I managed to stay in the middle of the PAX without fear of being left behind to be attacked by the owls of Myers Park - I left that task to the man who holds the title, MMOB.
What we did Moseyed from the Christ Episcopal parking lot down Providence to the Gold Man parking lot. With HE in attendance, I knew I had find a location for COP away from homes where his count didn't disrupt the slumbering residents within a half-mile radius. After some quick Mary (Ring regulars complained it was too much), we ran down Hopedale and did Merkins at each hump. From there, the speed team got out front and ran off directionless until they were instructed to run to the entrance of Freedom Park. Upon arrival, and to collect the Six, we did some more Mary at the Freedom gates (oxymoron?). After two 10-count Mary activities, the complaining began just as MMOB arrived and collapsed on the pavement.
As we were making our way to the Freedom pond, mumble chatter turned to COVID vaccines and outward and visible signs you were capable of receiving a vaccine. Despite no one in the group qualifying to receive an early vaccine most of the PAX had one or is scheduled to get one. I didn't ask questions.
At the Freedom pond we partnered up and partner one ran one direction and partner two ran the opposite direction to meet in the middle for Derkins and hand-slap Merkins. The initial call was for three rounds. [Cue the Unsolved Mystery music] That would be the last time we saw Nabisco until COT. How did that happen? Well, after the first round, YHC underestimated the actual size of the pond and time to circumnavigate it, even with a fast group. After the first round, most of the PAX were loitering at the start point and wanted clarification on the sets. Checking my watch, I called an audible and moved it to two. The problem is: Nabisco, being fast and without a partner, had already taken off for another pond lap and missed the instructions. While partners were wrapping up their second and (now) final round, Nabisco was going for his trio of pond laps.
The Nabisco-less PAX (of which were were all blissfully unaware) left the park and made its way to Radcliffe where more hump/Merkins were performed. Rolling home down Sherwood, the PAX (minus Nabisco) made its way back to the AO right at at the five mile mark. As we were gathering for COT, a demoralized 'Bisco made his way out of the shadows and lets the PAX know that the instructions were for three laps around the pond. It was a relief to see him back at the AO on time and not abducted by the Freedom Freak or Myers Park Marauder.