Fun Sunday Run

I met up with Valerie and Mindy today for a Bradbury run. It was cold and windy, but the sky was a brilliant blue. The plan was for 10 miles, and as we shivered in the parking lot, we decided to run the modified Beautiful/Connector loop that Val, Mindy and the boys had all run yesterday, but run it backwards. I haven't been out on either the Beautiful Loop or the Connector this winter, so I was happy to have a different route to be running, and even happier to be running with friends! Amazing what a difference that makes. I felt great the whole time we were running and didn't have any doubts as to whether or not I should be out there.

We wound our way up to the summit and then down Lunchbreak Hill to the snowmobile trail. The snow beneath our feet was incredibly crunchy and was a decent running surface in some spots, but wherever there had been foot traffic yesterday, the slush had turned into ice, meaning it was a bit tough on the ankles.  We chatted away as we ran, and enjoyed a nice mellow pace as we ran up and down the hills. We made a stop at the farm along the Animal Loop, where I was introduced to the enormous pig, the Highland cows and the chickens and guinea hens, before continuing on our way to the powerlines. What fun!

I was surprised to see ski tracks along the powerlines, but I suppose it was probably decent skiing yesterday morning before the snowmobiles went through, and the warm sun melted a lot of the snow away. We turned off onto the Connector, which really is a great stretch of trail, and I was happy to get to see the new bridge and the views out onto the river. Once we got back to the park proper, Valerie took us on a return route that brought our mileage to exactly 10 miles as we reached the parking lot. Talk about a good Scout! :-)

Ryan and Sam had come over a little earlier to get in a little hiking, and they were out in the field, enjoying the snow and the sun, when we came through. We all headed over to Edna & Lucy's for some lunch and to chat a bit more. What a fun morning! Thanks guys!

Daddo and Sammy enjoying a hike while I ran

Happy runners (and Sammy too)

Getting a hug from Sam after finishing up my run. What a nice end to a run!