My long runs are now every other week as my mileage is increasing. This week was a 10 miler, so I took Bella to Stone Mountain for 2 laps around the mountain. Early in the run, I heard what sounded like bombs. I started noticing confederate flags on signs, cars, and motorcycles early in the run. I remembered that it was Confederate history month after hearing about the Virginia governor making his proclamation that failed to mention slavery as a significant factor in the war.
Looking back, my decision to take Bella on the trail on the second lap could have been better thought out. I forgot that this trail went straight through the park by the Confederate Memorial carving (that I hear the federal government had to finish years after the War was over...touche). We ran right through the middle of a pack of people memorializing the Civil War soldiers, wanting to scream, "GO NORTH." But I was scared for my life, so I didn't. The very last canon fire came right when we got back in the woods, and it scared the crap out of Bella. I had to work hard to calm her down because she tried to run faster than I could run, given that we were on trails and one wrong step could result in a twisted ankle.
But all went well, and we fgot back on the main trail. Bella barely took a drink from the doggie drinking fountains that were around the mountain. So at one point, I saw a creek on the outside of the mountain and decided to take a little jaunt over there to see if she would drink from a stream. Of course she did, even though I was worried that she may get sick from whatever is in the water. I was willing to bet on clean water versus heat exhaustion as it was getting pretty warm (70s).
But again, all went well, and so far, no signs of sickness from Bella, and the run ended fine, with no dixie run-ins. Eighteen miles this Saturday....uh oh.
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