Tour de Draftee Stop #2: Tractors & OGs
PAX: 'BoutTime, Doublewide, Chomper, Beverly, Interference, Tax Break, BALCO, Juicebox, Bueller, Hitman, Schlitz, Rollback, Stewie, Frosty, Dr. Toot (WD), Bevo, Pele' (WB), Draftee, and Jake (Dog)
The Thang
Draftee unveiled another custom route for Tractors & OGs.
The Tractor route covered approximately 4 miles while the OG route stretched to 6.2 miles.
The route featured a scenic tour of the Ardmore neighborhood, multiple hills, and a pass by the Emergency Department at Baptist Hospital, which felt like thoughtful planning given the combination of elevation, humidity, and questionable decision-making that accompanies most early morning runs.
Conditions were warm and muggy. Summer has officially arrived.
The objective was simple:
Run the route.
Stay with your brothers.
Find your way back.
Not everyone successfully completed all three tasks.
The Story
The mumble chatter actually started before the workout.
Rollback, clearly studying the route profile with concern, raised questions the night before by texting YHC regarding the amount of elevation gain and expressed hope that YHC might choose a flatter route.
YHC heard the concerns.
YHC ignored the concerns.
The result was a route that reminded everyone that “rolling hills” is often code for “continuous disappointment.”
Despite the humidity, the PAX pushed forward through Ardmore, tackling hills while attempting to maintain conversation and preserve what little dignity remained.
The route passed Baptist Hospital’s Emergency Department, which seemed oddly appropriate. Several PAX considered stopping briefly to inquire about treatment options for hill-induced suffering.
As the miles accumulated, a different challenge emerged.
Navigation.
Several PAX, who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty, managed to miss turns and extend their mileage beyond the advertised distance. While some viewed this as a mistake, others viewed it as an opportunity to demonstrate superior commitment to endurance training.
The jury remains out.
One thing became abundantly clear throughout the morning: Tractors & OGs has a very different type of suffering than The Rock Quarry.
At TRQ, the rocks never stop.
At Tractors & OGs, the hills never stop.
Tour Update
After two stops, the Tour picture is beginning to take shape.
Rollback, Pele’, and Dr. Toot currently occupy a three-way tie for first place.
Meanwhile, every HIM who has posted at both Tour stops remains firmly in the hunt. The Tour is still young and there is plenty of time for movement in the standings.
More importantly, there is still plenty of time to build connections.
No FNGs joined the Tour today, but make no mistake: an FNG or three may ultimately decide the championship. The race is likely to be far too competitive to win by simply showing up.
The mission remains unchanged:
Show up. Lift your brother up. Bring an FNG.
Next Stop
The Tour now heads to Village Idiocy.
What could possibly go wrong when grown men gather around a Jenga tower where every block removed results in pain?
The answer will arrive Monday morning.
See you in the gloom.
— Draftee
Add Comment