Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Running In A Winter Wonderland
by Russell Turner - 17:13 on 01 February 2021
The first day of February was supposed to be a dry and still one, before the wind whips up again and makes conditions challenging for runners. The forecasters got still right, for there was barely a breeze, but the snow was a surprise.
I was tempted to stay home, but Matchgirl’s raised eyebrow and the thought of icy blasts over the next two days encouraged me to put a waterproof over my usual winter layers and take my chances. The 10k programme had me running 5-7 easy miles; I thought I might do 30mins.
The good news was that the snow was deep enough – maybe 1cm – to support feet rather than freeze them. It even meant I could run (carefully) where it covered icy patches. It also meant that I ran at an easy pace, taking care where feet landed because who knew what the snow covered.
Most of the run overlooked Cromarty Firth, snow and cloud meaning I saw little of the scenery. Instead, I concentrated on putting down the first footprints on the track between Kirkmichael and the old ferry pier, then doing so again on the way back when many of them had been re-covered. Well before then I’d found a comfortable pace, my breathing was steady and I wasn’t feeling the cold at all. Remarkable.
The snow eased off after five miles; earlier, I’d set myself a 10k target which I reached after 66:29: a modest time, and 14mins slower than my PB hopes, but it made a memorable first snowy run. I’ll claim my Lonely Goat virtual medal as a memento; with luck, snow-running won’t become a regular occurrence.
In theory I still have two more runs and the final PB effort left in my 10k programme, but chances are that it ended today, especially as the next two days look so horrible. It’s not like I’m on an Olympic training schedule. Anyway, I might take a break because the 16-week Edinburgh Marathon programme begins next Monday, though how far that one gets is down to the Covid Gods.
Add your comment
© Russell Turner 2008-2024