The High Ledge, A Running Cult?

Some associations:

"Out on the high ledge", by Kovach. .."living live on the edge" theme?

Boston Manor's "On a high ledge". Suicide theme?

Something about rising to a challenge? Doing, not thinking. Acting out, not just observing?

Your post already revealed that you are "doing, not thinking". My guess is that you are already in, and are proselytizing. Maybe you are the cult leader.

I can’t believe I read all that but sounds like a nut job

tldr. There's no way somebody typed that into the letsrun message editor.

that sounds freaking awesome

I don't know what to make of it but that was a great read. I can't email the address though as I am nowhere near 101 in singles.

Great read, keep the updates coming as you get farther into this.

TLDR

BS alarm went off when you said you have a fiance that knew about LetsRun. Could be a dude though.

Can someone write a cliff's notes version?

Usually attempts at storytelling on LRC lose me by the first paragraph. This one kept me going the entire way. Well done.

Have you watched The Invitation?

Let me summarize this for everyone who doesn't want to read that block of text:

Sykes likes to run alone usually and is going to run a lot this year.

Sykes goes for a run one day. Meets Lee. /queue “Freedom! ’90” by George Michael

Start talking about how many miles they run each week. /flop schlongs out to compare length

Go about their ways. Meet again on a run a few weeks later. /queue “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People. Lee and Sykes pull out schlongs to check length again.

Lee invites Sykes to “The High Ledge” and gives him a card with an email address on it. /queue “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

Sykes emails. Doesn’t hear anything for a while but eventually gets a response, “101 in singles, Love Sykes.”

Sykes posts here asking should he send a heart emoji back to Lee.

What happened Sykes, did you do your 101 in singles?

Yes, what happened next?!

It has been about a week since I came on here looking for answers in regards to The High Ledge. The last 8 days have proven to be the strangest in recent memory.

I appreciate those of you who have shared encouraging words, and I can relate to the disbelief that others have expressed. But I must say this: with recent events in mind, it is concerning that no one else has yet shared knowledge of this group. Perhaps it is too early to assume that someone with experience would notice this thread. I trust that, with continued updates, someone with prior experience will shed some light on what, exactly, is at play here.

Because I have definitely been playing along.

"101 in singles. Welcome Sykes."

The morning after I received this message, I noticed a surprising amount of vigor in me to get going. Something about the challenge seemed to be rehashing an old chip on my shoulder I thought I had laid to rest. And I'll admit it: the words, "Welcome Sykes," got stuck in my craw this last week. You see, it is a mite strange how they included my name in the instructions. I used our farm email when I thought I was contacting Lee and my name is not included in our LLC's email address. I did not intend to do this, it was simply the address that was opened after I had been contacting distributors earlier in the day. It would have been easy enough for someone to search our farm and then read up on my fiancé and I, but all of this had me thinking again that The High Ledge was just Lee playing games.

I received my instructions on Tuesday evening so my training week started the next day, Wednesday.

I front-loaded the week with an 18-miler followed by a 15-miler. The last 3 miles of the 18-miler, my legs felt empty of run and I caught myself glancing over my shoulder, thinking Lee would blast by me at any moment. But I slept like a lamb and the next day's 15 miles ticked off with ease. I returned with plenty of time to feed the goats, collect the eggs and split some wood before harvesting greens and loading the truck for the midweek market. It went very well. Despite the pandemic, markets in our area are well-attended.

Friday was on one of my bread-and-butter, 13-mile loops. I take the fire road up over conservation land, bushwhack a short distance out to the main road, follow it around the big dairy farm, all the way down to the church, take a left, push the pace up and down some smooth rollers, cut left through a dead end gravel road that nearly reaches through to one road over, bushwhack 100 yards through the dead end to link up to the long, resident road on the other side, pop back out on to the main road and then climb back up, over the mountain to return to our farm in the valley below. It is a thing of beauty.; gravel, forest, fast roads, smooth turns, good hills and a degree of adventure to boot.

The legs were finally turning over nicely as I approached the church. Suddenly, like a shot from a cannon, a man resembling Jean Bouin leapt from the church steps, sprinted across the lot and appeared - lockstep - beside me. "Hello Mr. Sykes." The man said, smiling with a mouth full of horse teeth. The guy smelled like a locker room, his arms had a strange windshield wiper cadence to them, but he was obviously fit enough to keep pace.

Look. I am a solitary person. With his receding hairline and bushy mustache, the teeth, the smell...I could not help but be annoyed by this probable prankster. And at the same time, I felt unsafe.

"Hello there." I said dismissively.

"You are on track for 101?" He darted a glance at me but when I turned to him, his eyes remained glued to the horizon.

"I am, I am. This will make 46 in 3 days." It came out too self-congratulatory. I winced in frustration but kept my eyes forward.

"Very good. I am supposed to relay a message. '1 less is worth nothing and 1 more costs everything.'"

"1 less is worth nothing and 1 more costs everything."

"Exactly."

"Exactly what?"

"Exactly." He turned and looked at me. "I hear you met Lee. What did you think of him?"

"Seemed like a decent guy, I don't know." I was trying to be diplomatic.

"Did he tell you how much he was running?" I was about to answer and then he added, "Hey, and hey, you can call me Greg by the way." It was an awkward moment. It seemed like his kindness wanted something from me.

"Nice to meet you Greg. I guess you already know my name. No he didn't. He said that he couldn't say."

"I knew it!" Greg laughed but then his eyes dropped as he began to unpack something in his mind. As he thought, he leaned forward, his heels lifted behind him and his pace increased until he had put about 20 yards on me in a matter of seconds. Eventually, he noticed the gap that he had opened up, jerked his torso back and faded to match my stride.

"You seem pretty fit, Greg. How much are you running these days?"

"Me? What is it? This week is '143 in out-and-backs. Slow outs, fast backs.' Yeah, the last 3 weeks, I've been buried in it. But I think I am finally starting to turn a corner. They might offer me ceremony after this block. That is, if I don't fall." He sounded almost manic. And though he had the appearance of a seasoned janitor, he presented with a youthful spirit.

"Is that what your instructions are? '143 in out-and-backs'?"

"Instructions? You mean the Banisters. They are what keep us from falling off the ledge. You hold on to your Banisters, Sykes, and you cannot fall. At least, that's what they tell us. I better get back to it. You are my one exception this week. Thanks for that Sykes!" Greg slapped me hard on the back, turned and ran back up the road toward the church. It was obvious then, as I watched his form tilt forward and his legs bound powerfully - if not jauntily - up the steep country road, that he had been taking pity on my pace.

At first, I thought this interaction left me feeling similarly to when I first met Lee: unnerved. But at this point, I was pretty convinced that I was not in any way special enough for such an elaborate prank. It seems apparent that there is some sort of email-based running club in the area. Based on the a lack of corroboration from this message board, it might just be a local group of runners corresponding.

143 miles in out-and-backs. Sounds like hell to me. I have always hated out-and-backs. It made me thankful for the Banister I was on.

The next few days of training went by without incident. I logged 3 days in the 13-14 mile range. However, because Spring is coming nearly an entire month ahead of schedule this year, my fiancé and I are beginning to feel the "wind-up anxiety" that we get when we feel Spring is about to be sprung. Finally, Tuesday came around and I had 15 miles to run before hitting 101 in singles. I chose the 15-mile route from my second training session of the week.

I rarely experience a runner's high anymore, but that day, I was visited with a euphoria and focus that I have not experienced in years.

The miles swam passed me while my feet absorbed the earth with comfortable, even-paced touchdowns. I felt light and fast and my mind was quiet and sharp. The only noticeable ache was a distant thought that, at some point, I would have to stop running and abandon this wonderful feeling.

I blasted through a vacant 4-way intersection and crested a small hill. My stride opened in unison with the downhill slope and a car honked with encouragement as it drove wide around me. After another mile, I approached a 4-way intersection; the last turn that would take me home to my lovely lady. And hey, waiting for me beneath the stop sign were Lee and Greg. I pushed the pace just a little more to show them I was feeling good, but as I got closer it was evident that they were not impressed.

"Stop, Sykes." Lee said it at almost a whisper.

"You gotta stop, man," Greg echoed, louder.

"What's up guys? Want to finish this out together?"

"You have to stop right here, Sykes. I mean RIGHT HERE." Lee approached me like I was a wild bull. He came to my side, put his hand around my back like and old friend and ushered me to the pole of the stop sign. "Do you have a phone?"

"Do I look like I have a phone? No, I never run with my phone."

"Neither do I. You are going to have to figure out how to get a ride home."

"Alright, this is not funny. Tell me what you guys are up to." I was suddenly filled with anger. It sort of shocks me now, thinking about this moment, to realize how quickly I can move from joy to anger.

"You have run 101 miles, Sykes. You are done. Don't mess this up." Greg's harsh words had a jarring effect on me.

"Hold on, are you sure? I think I'll be there once I get home. I must be around 99 or 100 right now." When I looked at Greg and Lee, I saw kindness in their eyes, but also concern.

Lee stepped away from me and said, "You are at 101 miles right now. You would get to 102 if you walked back. Just cool off and let it go. I have been here before. Greg probably has too. The instructions are clear. If you keep running, you're done."

"1 less is worth nothing. 1 more costs everything." Greg glared at me.

This was really happening. A couple guys who I barely knew were interrupting my run, telling me I couldn't even walk home. I didn't know how to react. I looked down at my shoes, looked at both Greg and Lee's unmarked shoes and just started chuckling. "This is insane." I started laughing pretty hard and Greg joined in. However, Lee kept his deep look of concern and it snuffed out the moment.

Greg and Lee left in different directions and there I was, standing like a dunce under a random stop sign. I felt impotent.

It was not long until a driver stopped to let me use their phone. How could I have explained my predicament to my fiancé? I could not. I decided to lie to her, a thing I never do.

I told her that I had twisted my ankle.

Still a little fed up, that night, I wrote to

thehighledge@gmail.com

. It was something short like, "Did it. What's next?"

I heard back last night. "117 on soft surfaces. Don't fall, Sykes."

Again, this has taken a while to write out and I have an early morning tomorrow. I guess I need to design a training week that has me avoid all roads. Farewell to my beautiful country loops, I suppose. For where I live, this is quite the puzzle. There is an abandoned city park near the small engine repair place but the perimeter has got to be a half-mile at most.

If anyone has personal experience with The High Ledge or knows someone that has, I would like to know. After this week, I am less concerned for my safety but I do not feel it is necessary to tell my fiancé about my involvement. I will most likely move on from this foolishness in the Spring anyways. The way I see it is: for now, why not keep at it. See what comes.

Thank you all. I'll be in touch,

sykes

Wow. I have to say, I was hoping for an update but I'm actually somewhat concerned to read this, especially the part about you lying to your fiancé (although I do understand why you couldn't tell her about Lee and Greg not permitting you to run any further).

What are you hoping to get out of this? I understand you live in a rural area but surely there is another running group? Maybe an online group based in a different area and without these people? They would be able to write you a schedule and you could follow that, and improve also. I am worried you might fall off the ledge.

Ok. So you are having fun with creative writing. Fine.

But you should proofread a little more. I found three misspelled words while scanning your latest post, and it nullifies any appreciation of your writing efforts.

Greg is faster than you? I also didnt know that Edmonton had good farm roads for running.

RyecorDone wrote:

Ok. So you are having fun with creative writing. Fine.

But you should proofread a little more. I found three misspelled words while scanning your latest post, and it nullifies any appreciation of your writing efforts.

What a tool!

Nice work OP, keep it up. Looking forward to hearing how you go on the soft surfaces.

Yes, Greg is faster than me. At least it seems that way. It is safe to assume that both Greg and Lee have been at this High Ledge stuff for months - it shows. I am no slouch but they are aerobic monsters.

It also seems like you know the guy. He has an unmistakable look about him. Have you run with him before, hungryman3?

I pride myself on designing interesting routes. Where many people might turn back, whether due to private property or bushwhacking, I find a bit of inspiration in the linkages you can create when those features are included in a training loop. Little reminders that I am alive.

I am wistful for my routes right now. The last 2 days have been spent running countless laps around a grassy park. I said it was abandoned, and yes the fences goals and bleachers are rusting due to neglect. but someone has been mowing the grounds so it feels nice underfoot.

My experience last week makes me think that my running is being pretty closely monitored so I wheeled off exactly half a mile around the park. I almost lost track of my laps twice already so i have devised a system where i hold gravel in my hands and every four laps equals one stone. I drop a stone into my work boot that so have placed at the start/finish. When I collect 8 stones in my boot, I know I am at 16 miles. This is easier than counting to 32. When I am done, I take off my trainers, put on my work boots and get in my truck. To me this signifies that I am taking this Banister seriously, that it’s ok to walk on hard surfaces after my runs. If the Ledge people have a problem with how I am doing things well then they can find someone else to take up the torch because anything beyond this is very impractical - not to mention impossible - for me. I need to be able to, say, stand at the pump when I fill my truck with gas or walk on sidewalks when we setup for market.

water from the forest,

It has continued to bother me, the fact that I lied to her. When she came and picked me up, I told her I had twisted my ankle and she asked why I had not walked home. I said I was concerned I would injure it further but I do not think she fully believed me.

I am thinking about telling her what has been going on. She deserves that. I am learning to what extent I have been craving something that is entirely my own. My long, morning runs were helping, but these strange tenants of the Ledge, the structure it provides...I want to keep it for myself for a while longer before I worry her with the suspicious qualities of it.

And in regards to running clubs, like I mentioned before, I have always preferred to run alone. So far, The High Ledge seems to strike a perfect balance between mostly solitary running and brief social runs. I might enjoy sharing some miles with Lee or even Greg, but not on a regular basis. It seems that, even between Lee and Greg, Ledgers are kept isolated from one another. This suits me.

I have already started to see improvements. I am beginning to shed some Winter weight and while I was experiencing "flatness" halfway through training weeks in early January, the bounce in my step sticks around until the last couple days now - despite increases in volume.

Strictly keeping to soft surfaces, however mentally draining the park has been, seems to be helping a great deal as well.

Thank you for your insight and concern. I know you are right, I just might not be willing to share this part of my days with her yet. If it begins to interfere with our work or our relationship, I will have to say something.