Miles Away

The intersection of Osceola National Forest Road 278 and Still Road. For many, just another straight limerock road leading to the Rifle Range. For a few, the scene of many days spent training for upcoming road races.
From the late seventies, eighties and into the nineties, some weeks daily we would meet at the Moose Lodge at Watertown Lake and run to this intersection three miles out and return, for a fast six mile training run.
In the day, before the road was limerocked and hardpacked, the road was a two rut sand pit. As we ran along, we could point out who had ran before us by the familiar tracks.
Joe Blewett we recognized by the one track that showed his shuffle and his Sheltie collies tracks beside the Nike waffle pattern.
Russell Plummers tracks were close together and had the Saucony pattern.
Buddy Rhodes were upon the heels of his patent Adidas Marathon trainers.
Forest Wrights Nikes were steady and precise. We knew when a stranger had entered our training grounds and wondered when we would meet.
When we were not decipering the tracks, we were usually pulling impromtu switches from the bushes and using them as makeshift fly swatters. In the summer months, the deer and yellow fly population ensured we ran at a rapid pace through the swampy section through the first mile. The weekends were usually returned to the deer and insects as we journeyed to an area road race to put our training to the test. Years pass and most of the ones who ran the path regularly have retired from running. Some of us have taken up bicycling and continue to ride NFR278 on our Mountain bikes.
Each time I ride this road, the fond memories return. I think of Bob Jones, Mark Philpot, Rick Bringger, Hambone Wilson, Steve Plymale, Roger Sessler, Bob Rossiter,Russell,Joe,Buddy, Forest, the Osceola 5K run held on this path, the hollering like one possessed with the spirit of Halpatter upon finding an arrowhead, of coming upon the man who had just committed suicide along this path. So many memories, many now so many miles away in memory.