the first day is in the bank.
and if the romance isnt gone completely
there is definitely some scuffing on that shiny finish.
.
the first rays of sunshine reveal a very different vol state field.
bleary eyes and aching feet.
those who took refuge in a motel are wondering;
“can i possibly run all day again?”
those who slept alongside the road are wondering;
“where am i and what am i doing here?”
.
and those who went all night are wondering;
“where can i sleep?”
.
the rock has grown more remote than ever.
the sun has become a cruel enemy.
all too hot,
all too soon.
.
but they move on.
a long thin line of refugees
with dirty packs
and sweat stained clothes.
they move on down that endless white line.
there is nothing else to do.
.
the memories of things like;
homes and jobs
are fading.
more like something they read about in a book
than something they actually did.
.
the worries of everyday life have been moved from the front
and replaced by more basic questions
like;
“where will i pee?”
“what can i do about these blisters?”
“is there really sand in my hip joints?”
“is it supposed to feel like this?”
“what have i done?”
.
there have been more casualties while you slept.
the task ahead too overwhelming.
.
those who survive move on.
life reduced to that next stretch of road.
no greater hope than to spot a tent beside that road
where maybe there is something to drink.
for many today will define their vol state.
for many today may end it.
day 2 is so hard.
.
at the front chris varnadoe has taken complete control
he is more than 20 miles ahead of paul hagan.
addison hendricks had a resurgence during the night,
he is all the way back to 3rd place
and only a couple of miles behind hagan.
.
shawna wendtlandt has taken the lead among the women
and is just behind hendricks.
michelle leduc is 4 miles behind her.
stephen redfern has emerged from the chase pack for now
and is right behind leduc.
.
outside of varnadoe
no one has any kind of security in their position.
any kind of stop and people go by them.
yesterday that might have meant something.
today it is less important than tending needs
and trying to keep the machine running.
.
it is still early.
the real race is only beginning.
Categories: Vols2024