Wet and Wonderful

Today's run is brought to you by the letter W for wet, as it rained pretty steady most the morning.  Happy to report that I stayed warm and mostly dry with my Running Lab Craft jacket, which repelled the rain nicely.  I finally sat down and took some time to check the Running Lab Half marathon training plan and adjust for the two weeks additional time until the Trail Half in April.  Looks like I am mostly still on track and this week's 7 miles was very doable.  (I was worried I needed to do 8 or 9 and my knee wasn't up for it yet.)
It was an introspective 7 miles both because I have to write a Bio for my Running Lab ambassadorship and because I was back on Island Lake Blue trail for the first time since last fall.  I found my head full of memories of times with friends at Island Lake which used to be a weekly run for me.  I admit to procrastinating on the bio.  Maybe it's impostor syndrome and comparing myself to other runners who have been running most their lives, I really don't know why I'm so nervous about writing a bio. 
There I was reaching all the familiar Landmarks of Blue trail and feeling awesome just to be on the soft trail again after months of icy, messy, ankle biting trails.  My head was full of memories of when I first started running and the friends I've made along the way.  Some cheerful, some full of advice, most of them positive that no matter how far I was planning on going I could make it.  This trail feels like home to me and even on a gloomy rainy day it is a joy to be there. 

7 Years ago when I started running I was jogging 1 min, walking 2 min through the cemetery park in Howell.  I never imagined that first mile of being able to jog without rest would turn into 3 then 4 and eventually lead to half marathons, marathons, and even a 50k.  If I went back in time and told myself how far I would eventually go, that far away me would have laughed, I would not have believed it.  Even though many of my runs are solitary and much needed "me" time.  I have found many wonderful like minded friends along the way.  I have also really enjoyed volunteering and lending support to other runners at races and other running events.  Now here I am 7 years later an Ambassador for Skirt Sports and Running Lab.  Now I just need someone to sponsor my races! 

Into the woods I go, to loose my mind and find my soul.

Lessons on The Trail

I missed running yesterday due to visiting and games with the family.  We did have a very cold and icy hike out to the lake with our new nephew puppy Elwood.  Who is quite adorable with the usual amount of troublesome that puppies can be.

You can't see the snow starting to fall in this shot, but it was snowing all afternoon and through the night bringing a fresh layer of 4 - 6 inches of powder to the trails.  Big thanks to my husband and sister Jen for shoveling the driveway so I could get out to PJ Hoffmaster for a run.  Also Huge thanks to sister Brenda for the toe warmers, without which I could not have run in the cold deep snow.

In an attempt to keep my phone battery from dying in the cold, I shoved my phone down my tights hoping it would stay warm next to my skin.  As I ran it gradually worked it's way down my thigh and settled near my calf.  I figured as long as it didn't fall out of my pants I was OK.   

The snow was deep and cold and beautiful.  All of the trees had a thick coating of snow on the branches and the whole woods was untouched and glowing white.  It is challenging running through the untouched snow, but so exciting being the first one on the trail.  I did have to backtrack a few times as it was not always easy to see where the trail is under that thick blanket.  There was a point when I doubled back and I tried the same trail a second time. I came to what looked like a bridge on it's side, then realized they were stairs, and was happy for a sign I was on the right path.  

When I finally made it to the lake I tried to take my phone out and discovered I couldn't pull it out of the bottom of my pant leg.  I had to pull my pants down to retrieve my phone and was happy there was no one else on the trail with me. Sadly I only got one shot before my battery died.

You can just barely see the lake through the trees.  Heading back it was a little easier to just follow my own footprints and I could pick up pace a bit.  I reached a trail crossing and spotted a second set of footprints headed down another trail leading away from the lake, oh crap!  I am so relieved whoever it was ran away from the lake instead of taking the lake path...I could have been caught with my pants down.  Steve says that would have been "em-Bare-assing"!  No kidding!

It was somewhat tempting to tack on the last 2 mile to make the training 6 miles, but I remembered a friend's advice on taking into account effort, this 4 miles took about the time that 6ish would take me. I was definitely feeling it was enough by the time I reached the car, and needed to sit and recover for a bit before driving home.

Lessons from the trail:

1. Pack extra foot warmers...have back ups in the car, purse, gym bag and suitcase.

2. You are never as alone or isolated as you think you are, always consider someone might be watching.

3. Keep in mind the amount of effort for colder conditions and running through deep snow.  Don't push it!  4 miles can feel like 6 or 8 in the right conditions.

Happy Trails my friends, stay safe and warm out there!