Still snowy here in central IL. The trails are now covered with around a foot of powder. This makes trail running a different kind of workout than usual. I like to think of it as an opportunity to train on trails with uneven footing. We don't have much of those around here since glaciers pushed all of Wisconsin's top soil our way and covered up all the rocks. The result: pretty smooth trails. Except now (or when they get muddy, trampled, then freeze again). Snow also gives underfoot, so it's more work to propel oneself forward. This gives one a chance for a more significant workout, though it's tempting to let the mind wander and just start slogging. Slogging is not fun and too slow to even yield cardiovascular benefits, so it's really a waste of time.
On Saturday I'd planned a 15-20 miler at Forest Glen, a fairly tough course made much tougher with the snow. Bob Obrien drove as usual. By the end of the second 5-mile loop he'd succumbed to the slogger's blues and wanted to go home. I had to cut my run short. Next time I'll drive myself or make sure we both agree to a minimal distance.
Sunday was Valentine's day and time with the family, so Monday was my next chance, tho it would be a later run following Jenn's morning work routine. Forest Glen-bound again, I was happy until I read the sign "Park Closes at 4:30pm." It was quarter-past two. With these conditions, that wouldn't give me time to do even 2 laps. And they lock the gates going in and out. Lake Mingo it is. When I arrive there I read the becoming-familiar sign "Park Closes at 4:30pm." Kickapoo? At least it's close to Mingo and on the way home. And no gates! Yes, there's a sign that says it closes at 5, but I don't have to worry that if I'm a little late I'm stuck there. I decide to still try to abide by the rule and get out by 5. That gives me time for 3 laps of Clear Pond, so 9 miles. I guess this is turning out to be just a low-mileage week.
This weekend is the KRR Fat Ass around Lake Mingo, so I'll get a nice 28 miler then.
Leaving Kickapoo park I saw some deer by the road. As I drove closer, they watched but didn't run away.
I intended to run two loops at Mingo on Sunday but the mushy snow made it too unpleasant. I ended up running one loop, then skiing four or so miles after.
ReplyDeleteYeah, "pleasant" is not how I'd describe running in the snow. I'm getting sick of it -- eager to see it melt. The KRR Fat Ass this Saturday should be interesting. Possible snow AND mud... yeah!
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