Running on Snow

2.3 mi. in 31:53 min. on a hilly course
Time of day: 11:30 a.m.
Temp: 40°F, WC 35°F

Today's easy run turned out to be not so easy. I met up with my son and he picked the course, a near-by fitness trail. I trekked this trail earlier in my training. Read about it here. And again today it kicked my butt. I am continually reminded that I am a beginner runner and small things make big differences.

This trail is not cleared when it snows. So it was dry in some places, wet in others; snow packed in some areas and even icy in some spots. I have never run on snow or ice, so that aspect slowed me down. And I started at the opposite end of the course from where I usually start. Not so a great move because I immediately had a long incline to get up. I expended alot of energy getting up that hill. So much energy that about 3/4 of the way I had to walk for about 3-4 minutes. I think if I had started at the main starting point, I would have performed better. My son was so great. He kept encouraging me as I struggled and when I needed to walk he stayed with me. He was surprised when I said o.k let's run again.

Not a great performance today numbers-wise, but I was out of doors (always a plus) and I finished the run running. I also appreciate and respect the reminder that I am still very much in training. All in all, I had a great run.

A New Trail

2.00 mi. in 25:52 min.
Temp.: 44°F, WC 36°F
Time of Day: 10:45 a.m.

I had the pleasure of running with my son on Sunday. We ran at a park near his home. It was good training to a) run with a partner, and b) run a trail with other traffic. Running with Scott increased my pace a bit. He was very conscientious of how fast we were running, but I told him I was pushing myself, but not too hard. It helped me realize that I can (and maybe should) pick up my pace a bit. Scott also suggested we run together every Sunday. I like that idea.