Nov 2016: 43 Hashruns in 2016 and Counting

November 2^nd, NOSE Hash #138 at the Hilltop Preservation in Verona, NJ: I arrived early enough to get an extra 3-4 mile run in before the other hashers showed up. The Preservation has some beautiful rolling trails full of rocks and switchbacks and a whole lot of wildlife; and, is the site of the former Essex Mountain TB Sanitarium from 1907-1977. Eleven hashers took part searching through the darkness for marks of flour on the trees and ground on our way to the awaiting beer stop. We all went to the Verona Inn for food and beverage after.

November 9^th NOSE Hash #139 in Mahwah, NJ: The nights hare, Semper Feline, had laid what he described as a “Great 5 mile trail” in the woods for us; but, local law enforcement decided the park would close early that night so he quickly set a new trail of flour along the nearby roads. Since it was raining very hard the shorter course was well received by a few of the hashers since it meant an earlier trip to the Mason Jar Pub for the On-after and food and beer.

 

November 13^th MDL Hash #9 “I Survived the Elections Hash” at Loveless Nature Preserve in Lawrenceville, NJ: I set a trail through approximately 6 miles of forest, streams, fields, powerlines and up over Rider Mountain, the highest point in the area which a whopping 40 feet above the rest. The trail also took the 4 hashers past a homemade survival shelter, through Rider University, around Centennial Lake and approximately ¼ mile of very thick thorns and brush that had them crawling to get through. I also included 2 well-received beer stops.

 (Wild women of the woods)

 (True trail)

 (Just a little shiggy!)

November 16^th NOSE Hash #140 “Making Hashing Great Again Hash” on trails in the Mills Reservation in Cedar Grove, NJ: Douche Brag set a very nice trail full of rocks, brush, and lots of false trails to slow down the front runner keeping the pack of 17 close together. We all went to the Alexus Steakhouse & Tavern for the On-after.

November 19th Hockessin H3 “PubeHeAteHer’s 40^th Birthday Hash” in Newark, DE: Approximately 30 showed up for the hash which included 2 beer stops and 2 shot-checks. The weather was great to start with temperatures close to 70 degrees but a cold front quickly changed that with temperatures dropping to low 30s by trails end. The On-after was at Pube and Necro’s house where about a dozen musicians jammed the night away in the basement.

 

(The birthday boy bang'n out the beat)

 

November 20^th MDL Hash #10 “Roller Girl’s Pool Party Hash” in Browns Mills, NJ: On this day my daughter, Roller Girl, was to set her virgin trail in the woods near her house; but, she didn’t show up so I ended up setting trail for her. I set a 6 mile trail with plenty of stream crossing, swamp, roots, thick shiggy, firebreaks and sand. The trail also took the runners completely around the “Lake of the Woods” on Fort Dix, past the wreckage of the Tit-anic, and through the Deborah Hospital parking deck. I included 2 beer stops and 1 Jameson shot check along the way. Roller Girl staggered out of her door about 30 minutes late but since we hadn’t yet started we waited for her to get her running gear on. She achieved what I believe to be a hashing first; she was DLF “Dead F’n Last” twice in one hash being last to the hash and last to the finish. She paid dearly for that during the post-run accusations. The On-after was at Roller Girl’s house with plenty of pizza and beer. Did I mention she was DFL twice? I will not let her live it down!

 (Minus Roller Girl who was still sleeping at her own hash!)

 

(She finally woke up!)

 (The crash of the Tit-anic)

November 23^rd NOSE #141 “Thanksgiving Eve Short Beer Mile Hash” in Tabor, NJ: It was held at the house of T&A. About 25 showed up for the hash and the beer tasting that followed. Everyone had to bring some type of beer they wanted to share with the group, the stranger the better.

 (Guinness on trail...best trail ever!)

November 27^th Summit Hash #1765 “The 23^rd Don’t Be a Turkey Hash” in Westfield, NJ: Dog Meat and Milk Bone set a very nice trail around Westfield which included both road and trail. This was a kid-friendly hash and there were about a dozen “Future hashers” in attendance. The On-after was at the Station Bar & Grill in nearby Garwood, NJ. Dog Meat and Milk Bone arranged for a great buffet dinner for everyone and I got to watch my New England Patriots beat the New York Jets so it was a truly great night!

 

 

 

November 30^th NOSE Hash #142 in Morristown, NJ: Lumber set a trail which took the 12 hashers through some very rich neighborhoods, through thick forest, past a lit Christmas tree in the woods, and over the nearby hills before finally returning to our cars. She also included 1 beer/shot check along the way. The weather was not nice. It was cold and raining very hard. Luckily there was a gazebo in the parking lot where we held circle and got into dry cloths. The On-after was at the Revolution Bar where we ate dinner and tried out many different craft beers.

 (Not the only wet balls on trail that night)

I also ran my first race in months. My team, the Pineland Striders travelled to Wilmington, DE on November 26^th for the Delaware 5K Cross Country Championships. This was the last race in the USATF Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Series. I ran alright for not doing any speed work this year nor really having any desire to race; but, it was great to be back out with the team. There were four races on this day including a 1.1 mile kid’s race, the Women’s 5K, Open 5K, and Men’s Master 5K. Our team placed 4^th  which put us 4^th overall for the series.   

So there we have it, 43 Hashruns down, 7 to go to hit my goal of 50 for the year. In the words of my high school cross country coach, Russ Pickering, I will "Get It Done"!