Weekend Running

Today was the last race of the snowshoe series. Ryan dubbed it the "un-snowshoe" race. Yup, no snow, but plenty of bare ground and some ice, and still a race, albeit a trail race :)

Race weekend generally means a busy weekend around our house, so yesterday I was up early to get in my run before Ryan headed out for course scouting, marking and his own running. I ran the cart paths and added on a Heath/down to the river and back lollypop in the middle for 7.7 miles. The Heath was clear of ice except for the spots that are typically wet, but down along the river, even on my short loop, there was still plenty of icy patches. Stopped to watch the rushing river for a minute, and saw a whole bunch of ice pancakes floating and swirling around in the circles in the currents further out on the water. Neat!

Early light, Cathance

The rest of the day was spent baking prizes and helping Ryan get numbers and prizes organized. Then this morning Sam and I went over the race to volunteer, cheer on the runners and hang out with our friends. Compared to last month's race, today felt like a heat wave, which made it much nicer to be standing around outside for a few hours! A good end to the series, despite the lack of snow. When life gives you lemons (or no snow), you make lemonade (or a trail race!), and I think everyone had fun out there and made the best of it.

Shirt (and cool Badass hat!) (Thanks for the photo, John!)

After lunch, I headed out for my own run. I drove over to the Ecology Center and hit the trails from there, running along the river and then out onto the Ravine Loop and to Head of Tides. It was a nice way to hit most of the trail system, and I got in a good 6 miles. The trails are pretty dry, but there were still some patches of ice and a few really good sections of hoar frost to keep things interesting ;) The river was roaring and there were some really neat ice formations to see along the way. 

Roaring falls, Head of Tides

Ice formations, Head of Tides

Rushing river

Neat icicles hanging along the rocks

Ice formations at the river's edge

All in all, a good weekend of running!

Catch Up

Snuck out on Tuesday late afternoon for a run on the Crystal Spring Farm trails again. Still big stretches of ice but less of them. Worked on pushing, if not the pace then at least the perceived effort, on the stretches free of ice. Anyway, got in 5 miles and managed to shave a minute a mile pace-wise off last week's run on the same route. Partially due to trail conditions and hopefully partially due to a bit of focus ;)

Thursday, I got out on the cart paths in the morning. 6:00 am and totally light! As in, no headlamp needed, and that makes me happy. Cart paths were in pretty good shape, although after Wednesday's rain, there were some new ribbons of clear ice running here, there and everywhere. Still, easy enough to get around. The sun was rising through the trees as I ran hole #2, and although it was chilly, I was warm enough in all my layers. A good 6 miles for the morning.

This morning, I headed over to Brad. I had a long run in mind, but to be honest, my heart wasn't really in it and the trail conditions did nothing to help. It was chilly but bright out as I set out onto the mountain side around 9:15. I wanted to check out the BBU course, but found that things were pretty rough out that way. Lots of hoar frost, uneven trail and ice amidst some bare stretches. I only made it a short ways down the connector before turning around upon seeing that the trail looked more like a frozen stream than a trail! I was being stubborn enough to want to get in some hills, so I very carefully picked my way up the Boundary Trail to the turn off for Lunchbreak. Only made it about halfway down before turning around, yet again, as the trail as far as I could see looked like a frozen stream. So up to the summit and down Tote, then back up to take Terrace down. Needless to say, those 5+ miles were pretty slow.

I headed across the street, not quite sure of my route. I had already decided to shorten the run to 10 miles. In my mind, it seemed like a better idea to call it a cutback weekend than to get in something like 14 or 16. I don't know why, but if I ran 10 today and reduced my mileage for the weekend, I figured I'd hopefully have more energy for 20 next weekend ;) Twisted? Or perhaps just how I was justifying things out there? Either way, that was my mindset.

Anyway, I ran out on the Knights Woods Trail past the O and then across the snowmobile trail onto the singletrack on the other side. I was surprised to find the singletrack everywhere on the east side much icier than I anticipated, but I was moving faster than I had been over on the mountain side at least. I took a right on the snowmobile trail and out onto Fox West, then cut back to the snowmobile trail on the cut-off and turned onto Fox East up at the meadow. I'd say things are still about 25-30% ice.

Pretty ice patterns

Fox East

Fox West looking up

Fox West looking back

Back on the Link, I did a short out and back on Lanzo to check it out for Ryan - found it, you guessed it, icy! - and ran into Keri and Tami out there. We chatted for a bit and then I took off for the car, while they headed out for a few more miles, although sounds like they cut their run short as well. As Tami said, "It wasn't good." Quote of the day, for sure ;) Still, any Friday miles are good miles, so I am grateful for the 10 miles I did get, even if I wasn't feeling entirely chipper out there.

Fun Sunday

Got in a mellow (read: the legs didn't want to go ;)) 6 miles on the cart paths this morning. Wore my screwshoes but really only needed them in a few icy spots. Otherwise, a whole lot of bare ground out there.

Spent the rest of the morning lounging with Sam after Ryan headed out for his run, and then finally motivated to head out into town. After a stop to look in on and play with Zippy, we had lunch at Big Top, followed by, you guessed it :) Gelato. Sam had part Orange, Carrot, Ginger and part Blood Orange. I had the yummy combo of Raspberry and Rich Chocolate sorbettos. Delish all around :)

Then it was off to the Skolfield Preserve for a hike down to the shore and out into the woods. A nice 1 mile trail wander with the kiddo. No screwshoes needed. And yes, Sam is wearing her PJs ;)

A pretty good Sunday :)

Running with Friends

The past two days have been fun. I met up with Keri up at Hidden Valley Nature Center on Friday morning for a run. We had planned to meet up this winter for some snowshoe or screwshoe running. Well, Mother Nature apparently had other plans, so Friday's run involved a lot of wet feet, mud, sinking through hoar frost, stream crossings, some lovely icy patches and way too much bare ground for late February. Still, it was a lovely tour of a cool, if rugged, trail system. There were long stretches of still rough double-track old logging roads, and some sweet singletrack. Keri showed me some of the trailside cabins, and took me up a steep trail to a hilltop yurt and along the shores of Little Dyer Pond. The sun was shining brightly on a windy, cool morning and we had the trails to ourselves. A fun 10 miles laughing and chatting the morning away. Thanks, Keri!

Little Dyer Pond

Keri leading the way

Muddy feet!

This morning dawned crisp and clear. Amy I met up around 9:00 am in the hopes that the temps would rise out of the teens. With the wind, it certainly didn't seem warm, but I'm sure it was in the 20s by the time we finished. Still, another bright, sunny morning. I let Amy plan the route and we headed out from Lawrence to Run Around Pond, then veered left on a road she hadn't taken before. It was rolling terrain which led us out to Rt. 136 in Durham. We took the main road along the wide open Androscoggin for a mile or so before turning off onto a dirt road that took us up into the woods to a small neighborhood out in the middle of nowhere. As it was a dead end, we turned around and retraced our steps into the wind. Brrr! Still, another great run with my dear friend, filled with lots of chatter and laughter, and some good Oreos too - thanks, Amy! Yum! I ended up stopping at mile 18, as my legs and hips weren't feeling super happy with all the pavement, but Amy went on to finish up her final two miles before meeting us (Ryan and Sam came out for lunch) at Edna & Lucy's. A solid 3 hour run. Lots of fun. Always an adventure when I head off on a road run with Amy - I never know where we'll end up ;)

Another good, if backwards, back to back weekend for me!

Midweek Miles

This weather kinda sucks. Seriously. There's almost no snow, and where the trails were packed when we did have snow, we now have solid glare ice. Since it's February and we should have snow and some pretty darn good screwshoe running at this point, getting up early in the dark to go out and run on icy, hoar frosty trails just isn't enticing. Which means, I have not managed to get up and out the past two mornings. But, that being said, I have managed to get in some miles ;)

Yesterday, work was quiet and I was able to get in a few miles late in the afternoon. I chose to drive over to the Community Garden parking lot off Baribeau and headed out onto the Crystal Spring Farm trails from there. It was overcast and a bit raw out, but still, always good to get out in the woods. There were some wonderful stretches of bare ground, but unfortunately, there was also a lot of glare ice, which made the going a bit slow. I did some loops and then ran up to the farm. From there, I took the road back and veered off to check out the animal houses I had noted along the edge of one of the fields on last week's long road run. Turns out, they were pig houses/pens :) There were some seriously big pigs, but the only two who came out to greet me were two cute black pigs, wagging their tails and clearing looking for food. Sadly, I had none, but I did enjoy talking to them :)

Got in a nice 5 miles for the afternoon.

I didn't sleep well last night and just was not up for getting up early to run with John, which was the intended plan. Sorry, John :( Instead, I went back to sleep for another two hours, which felt good and was needed. So, instead, I ended up on the treadmill this afternoon while Sam was in her swim lesson. Warmed up for 1 mile, moving pace down to 7:35 for two miles and then back up into the 8:00+ range. Hey, I'm trying ;) Got in 4 miles, and of course was just drenched in sweat :) The treadmill is seriously painful, but it got the job done!

Gratitude - February

Hard to believe it is the end of February! Fun to look back on this list from the month and remember all the things that make life good :) 

2/1/16 - Sam and I went for a walk around the block after getting home tonight, and no headlamps or reflective gear were needed! Love it that the days are getting noticeably longer!

2/2/16 - Nice to get in an early morning run down to the river with John - snow was surprisingly solid when there was snow ;) Otherwise, a mix of ice, bare ground and water kept us on our toes.

2/3/16 - The best thing about birthdays these days is hearing from family and friends. Always makes me feel so loved! Of course, there was this too ;)

2/4/16 - A great, warm, spring-like extra day off today spent running and hanging out with my good friend, Amy! Very grateful!

2/5/16 - Nothing like living in Maine to make you appreciate Mother Nature in all her varieties. From 50 degrees yesterday to a snow day today...

2/6/16 - Love being able to get out and enjoy both the ocean and the woods in one day. A run down to Simpson's Point this morning with Amy, followed up by a late afternoon snowshoe hike down to the Cathance with Sam and Ryan. The snow-covered trees were beautiful today!

2/7/16 - Sam has a bit of a cough and cold, but happy she had enough energy to get out this afternoon to enjoy the sunshine and snow. She had a lot of fun sledding and making a snowman!

2/8/16 - The kiddo was home sick today, which is never a good thing, but grateful I have a flexible job and an understanding boss who was cool with me taking the morning off and just coming in for a few hours in the afternoon after Ryan got home for Sam duty!

2/9/16 - Glad Sam made it through the school day today, and grateful once again for my job flexibility - there was a two hour delay today, so I didn't get in until 11:00, and then I left at 3:00 to pick Sam up instead of sending her to aftercare. I'll be glad to return to our normal schedule but for now, happy to be able to help Sam get a bit more sleep and rest to get over this cough/cold.

2/10/16 - Happy Sam was able to make it through a full day of school today and her swim lesson!

2/11/16 - After three days of not running due to a sick kiddo and the ensuing sleeplessness that comes with listening to coughing all night long, happy to have finally gotten up and out for a morning run. Beautiful morning with a glorious sunrise casting a pastel glow on the snow. So pretty.

2/12/16 - Sam got two Valentine's Day cards in the mail today - one from each set of grandparents - and she said, "I am so lucky to have Neenie and Pip and Grammie and Grampie. They are such great grandparents. Oh, and I really have to thank Pip for sending me $5!" Ha ha ha! Love it.

2/13/16 - Love having the snowshoe race RDing be a family affair :)

2/14/16 - Thankful for these two. I am a lucky lady!

2/15/16 - Fun to have a chance to spend the day with Ryan while Sam is at vacation week camp! We got in a fun 13 mile run and lunch together!

2/16/16 - Love reading with Sam at night before bed. These days, she reads to me :) Tonight was 'where the wild things are.' "Let the wild rumpus begin!" :)

2/17/16 - Driving home with Sam at 5:02 pm and the sky is pastel pink with the large orange orb of the sun still setting through the periwinkle clouds. Light after 5:00 pm, truly still light, I love it!

2/18/16 - Ok, so trail conditions suck right now but it was light for my morning run! Horray for that! Left at 6:05 and used the headlamp for a bit but mostly so I didn't bite the dust on the ice :) 

2/19/26 - This.

2/20/16 - Despite sketchy conditions, always fun to spend time on the trails with friends!

2/21/16 - When life gives you lemons (or in this case no snow and 48 degrees on a late February day), make some lemonade (or go on a hike through the woods down to the ocean)! :)

2/22/16 - Well, we succeeded in getting back into routine, even if we forgot to brush Sam's hair before heading to school this morning ;) She was happy to be back at school, but wiped out! All this learning is hard work!

2/23/16 - Thankful to be able to get out for a run late this afternoon. Trails were part bare ground and part glare ice, and therefore a bit of a challenge, but I got to see a few pigs at the farm along the route and it was good to get in a few miles!

2/24/16 - Grateful our school district did not delay or cancel school today! Sometimes it's the little things ;)

2/25/16 - Enjoyed a homemade lunch courtesy of Ryan at work today! Always nice to eat a lunch I didn't have to make myself :) 

2/26/16 - Fun muddy run exploring new to me trails with Keri at HVNC!

2/27/16 - Good company and good Oreos on this morning's 18 mile road run this morning with Amy!

2/28/16 - After a morning run to shake out the legs, spent the day with the kiddo while Ryan got in his run. We went out to lunch and gelato together and then got in some trail exploration to make for a fun Sunday! 

2/29/16 - The newest member of the extended family! So happy for Meg, Chris and Gavin! Welcome little Cameron :) Sam is excited to have a new baby cousin!

Making Lemonade

Somehow, I managed to squeeze 50.5 miles out of this week. I suppose running one extra long run - Monday's 13 miler with Ryan - will do that! Of course, last week I only managed 27. But if you take the last four days of last week and add in Monday's run with Ryan, I ran 40 miles over those 5 consecutive days. That leaves 37 miles this week, run over the past four days. So whatever way you split it, decent mileage for me, especially at this time of year.

Honestly, prior to last year I would never have thought I could pull a 50 mile week off *a little bit out of nowhere* without it being a big deal, mentally if nothing else. But if last year taught me nothing else, it's that my body can handle a lot more than I ever would have imagined. I'm not saying all my runs this week were perfect or that I felt awesome for each and every mile but overall, I felt solid, I got in some good hills, ran some fast-ish miles during my 16 miler, and today's 4 miles around the Heath, while bit creaky initially, were decent considering the variable spring-like conditions and my legs really didn't feel especially heavy or tired. I never intended to run 50 miles this week but hey, sometimes you just take what you can get (or what you make of it) :)

And in the same vein, when life gives you lemons (or no snow and a 48 degree day in late February), you make yourself some lemonade and enjoy it (or in our case, head out for a hike down to the ocean)!

Our destination was Wolfe's Neck. Apparently, many others had the same idea as we ran into a lot of people out there, but it never felt crowded. The trails were a bit icy to start, but some careful footwork was all that was needed. We wound our way out through the woods, and even got in a bit of running, at Sam's request, on the bare, dry stretches. It seemed to be an extremely low tide, and with no wind and some lovely late afternoon light, we enjoyed checking out the water's edge, and trekking far along the shoreline, farther than I think we've ever been able to explore before. We saw two pairs of loons out in the still waters, found clams and mussels and oysters living in the mud flats, and saw many large, beautiful scallop shells along with many horseshoe crab exoskeleton pieces (no whole ones, Amy, sorry!).

A lovely way to spend 2 miles and 2 hours (probably only a little more than 1 hour spent actually hiking) :) And a good a way as any to enjoy this wacky weather we've been having!

Headed out

Bog bridges

Leading the way

So little snow...

Little kid, big rock

Goofy girl

Stomping in the mud

Squish

Oops! ;)

Beautiful light

Big scallop shell

Humming to the periwinkles along the shore

Late afternoon light, low tide

Along the shoreline

Winter light

Clam shell!

Hummmm....

Looking for treasures

Shoreline exploration