Monday, February 15, 2010

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Morning

Saturday I headed out for my longest run since the NYC Marathon last November: a cold and snowy 18-miler on my favorite, albeit challenging, long run route through the Waterloo Rec Area west of town. Last October I did my 20-miler on the same road, and this was the scene at the time:

October 17, 2009

Saturday, this was the view from approximately the same place (notice the one tree on the left is the same):

February 13, 2010

Clearly, it's not fall anymore. It was about 16 degrees when I left my house. I was wearing my thickest tights, a warm base layer, YakTrax, and the Jacket of Wonder. It was snowing lightly for the first few miles, but that tapered off and stopped by the time I got into the woods along Bush Rd. The footing was decent, aided by the 'Trax. I had the iPod rocking and I was feeling good. My knee/IT band wasn't bothering me at all. I was just out for a long, slow cruise in the country. When I reached the 9-mile mark on Loveland Rd. I paused for a picture:

Halfway there. I am amused by the corona of exhaled vapor clinging to my headband.

I finished the run in just over 2 hours and 47 minutes for a 9:18 pace. It was slow going, considering the surface conditions, but once I reached dry pavement again with 2 miles to go I took off the 'Trax and squeezed out a couple of sub-9:00 miles. I was pretty well aching all over by that point so I consider that an accomplishment. Once home, I showered and collapsed for a nap, complete with cat:

I think he's happy, don't you?

NINE WEEKS TO BOSTON.

11 comments:

Jen Feeny said...

I'm not even up north and I pray ya'll get a reprieve soon! Brrrrr!!!

9 WEEKS! YAY!!!!

MCM Mama said...

OK, I guess I need to stop complaining about our snow LOL.

Cute kitty!

LMC said...

I'm impressed that you got out the door for this run. It's so tempting to stay inside where it is warm and there's no snow! Good job!!

C said...

Best possible way to end a long run like that. What a cute furball.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a cold yet peaceful run! You and your cat look so comfy inthe picture.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Great run! It looks beautiful. I can still say that even though I am sick and tired of the cold and snow. I wish the season would change already!

Running Diva Mom said...

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B. Kramer said...

Running in all that snow will make Boston a breeze. That is, if Boston isn't covered in snow. Cheers!

Jen said...

Cute kitty! Reminds me of my cat, 'Baby' They look alike. Great blog. Angela

Anonymous said...

Looks like your kitty is in heaven. Sounds like a great run!

CJ

Anonymous said...

okay, i'm done griping about it being cold.