Notes
Sunny, very windy at home, not too bad in the woods. Cold, 20 but not as cold as I thought it would be. Trails were just about perfect, smooth and firm. Ran the Homestead trail all the way out, stopping at the picnic area to take a pic. Headed out the ATV road which was great running. Plan was 14 miles so I wanted to turn around at 7. I was overdressed a bit, shouldn't have worn the UA cold gear shirt under my jacket, but just a W2B long T. Ran some of the Homestead and the main trail with my shirt pushed up. I didn't want to sweat too much but on the way back I didn't worry about it. Stopped at the Bradford intersection for a GU. Ran out towards the intersection with the trail map. Felt pretty good climbing the hills. Once I got to the turn to the map kiosk, I turned left and went down to the river. There was a guy there with a snowmachine sitting on a rock and I think he had been roasting a bowl. Chatted with him for a bit then turned around and run up to the intersection, then turned around and headed back. I felt good climbing and was kind of surprised, climbing the Recovery stairs must be paying off. Once back to the Middle Earth aid station area, I went down to the river. Came back to the next intersection and stopped for a GU. Ran pretty hard from here back to the Homestead trail. Felt surprisingly good. Ran a bit easier on the Homestead and stopped at the picnic area to sit for a bit before finishing. Super windy once back in the parking, which was empty. Good run today, it was nice in the woods even though it was windy. Everything felt good. I think I'm pretty well set up to run 20 at the Fat Ass if the conditions are good.
Gear: Nike tights, UA coldgear shirt (too hot?), Brooks jacket, mittens (on and off), warm headband, sunglasses, brought face warmer but didn't wear it,