The High Ledge, A Running Cult?

Thank you for your response, Zev.

A short time ago, I too could only dream of putting up these flashy numbers. For all of the smoke and mirrors, this training seems to be baring fruit.

I am going back to my house tomorrow morning. I am feeling a lot better today after 10 hours of sleep. Less emotional.

It was a bit much (in the last post) to say I felt I was kidnapped. I may have still been under the effects of the concoction. Nick seems to think so.

I do not know how I feel about being chosen for ceremony. I would be lying if I said I was not curious. Motivated, even.

But when Lee was chosen for Winter Ceremony a few weeks ago, I stopped seeing him around. That concerns me. My main focus right now is to get right with my lady and her parents, stay healthy and run. I might even lay off the High Ledge stuff if that seems best.

I went for a run today. The legs feel simply incredible. 22 miles in 2 hours, 13 minutes over a hilly course. It is amazing what 72 hours of rest can do.

I could not help but sense echoes of Waiatarua.

I wish you good running, Zev. Thanks for reading, I intend to be in touch soon in a more substantial capacity once back home. I have not received any more directives so I will continue on my own until further instructions.

I have no plans of falling,

sykes

sykes wrote:

"You have been chosen for Spring Ceremony. Don't fall, Sykes."

My previous post was mysteriously deleted, so here's another attempt:

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Congratulations on being chosen for Spring Ceremony!

I am interested in knowing the composition of the metallic drink that you've been sipping. Please do tell us when you find out! Also, when was the last time that you've had a sip?

The first few installments here were interesting but this most recent piece is kind of a snoozefest. You lost your swag Sykes. You need to keep developing the characters already introduced.

sdfk, I did notice your post disappeared. I wanted to thank you for your reply and then I could not. I was not aware that posts could be deleted on this forum. How could that have happened? Why?

spinozza, I have not seen Greg since the handoff and I have not seen Lee in a few weeks. It really concerns me that Lee has not reached out. Perhaps he had to travel. I agree that they are interesting people and incredible athletes. I hope to cross paths with them soon. What hit me in your reply is how damn defensive and self-centered I have been. I should be working to understand the people and purpose of this thing better if I want learn what it is about or if I want to be a part of it.

Admittedly, I have been so focused on getting the weeks done, proving my worth, that I have not really realized how asinine I must sound. I have not been accountable to the people in my life. I appreciate the reality check.

When are you going to start back with your training plan? Or are you going to run on an ad hoc basis? The reason I left that beautiful quote is because I feel you will have amassed some amazing fitness and it would be a shame not to benefit from that after all you've been through.

I was more concerned that you'd written you felt like you'd been a kidnapper, but then maybe that's just me.

It is a great question, hot weather shuffler. And real quick, the kidnapper comment was a little much. I think what I meant by that sentiment was that I felt criminal. I was drugged and forcibly held in a room at the sheriffs house, regardless of him being an old friend. I do not partake in drugs or alcohol in my regular life, Nick knows this about me, and so I felt like a degenerate. Or perhaps like I had kidnapped my sense of self with this rekindled passion for running.

In regards to the training, your question is timely. My next banister came through today and it could not be more different than the last. In a way, it is even more disconcerting:

"10 kilometers in 29 minutes with Greg."

I am kicking myself for having run very hard the last 2 days. I need to find Greg and get more information on this. Usually the banisters are relevant for the coming week, which means I have until next Friday to do this. But look: this is above my ability. My college 10k PR is 29:47 from 2004. 17 years ago. What happens if I run 29:59? Does it count? Even if it does, I do not believe I have that time in me. With the exception of Fartlek-type efforts, all of my miles have been slow, aerobic stuff.

It has been so long, I cannot remember what would be wise: how do I sharpen and taper properly for a 10k in 7 days, considering what I have put my body through these last 2 months.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated by you all on this forum.

Thanks again hot weather shuffler,

sykes

skyes, you're welcome. I will write back in a few days. A bit discombobulated right now. You take care!

sykes wrote:

"10 kilometers in 29 minutes with Greg."

I am kicking myself for having run very hard the last 2 days. I need to find Greg and get more information on this. Usually the banisters are relevant for the coming week, which means I have until next Friday to do this. But look: this is above my ability. My college 10k PR is 29:47 from 2004. 17 years ago. What happens if I run 29:59? Does it count?

You need to find Greg. Or, rather, I'm sure he will find you and make things clear soon enough.

So? What happened?

Very interesting thread...

Yup, I'm not sure what rabbit hole I just went down the past 30 mins, but I'm hooked and standing by for more.

Dear sykes,

I'm sorry that it's taken so long to write back to you. I've been very distracted. I was just wondering if you're OK? What's happened? Did you carry on running? Did you ever find out what was in the wineskin? I hope you had it analysed to find out.

What happened with the next banister (running with Greg)? So many questions but I'm curious and just hope all is well.

Your friend,

hot weather shuffler

Really looking forward to reading what your most recent bannister resulted in.

Reminds me of Divine Madness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Madness_Running_Club

i hope you're doing okay Sykes.

Same here. I hope he isn't lost to the run.

Bump

Really hoping to log in one of these days and find out Sykes is going for 29 minutes.

This is amazing