Notes
Started out sunny and cold, 19 deg. Clouded up and warmed up to 35 deg. Met Bob and Bob P. for a long run at Riverlands. Hoping trail conditions were firm, and they were. Still good winter running with some bare ground in a bunch of spots. Conditions might have been better than last week. We walked a lot of the hills and kept the pace easy on the way out. Ran just the main trail and we could run 3 wide until we got to the Bradford intersection. I had a GU after an hour. We went down the other end of Bradford trail to see the start of Bradford Hill and then continued on. Hiked a lot of the hills on the back end. I could feel my left hip and IT band start to get a little sore so I focused on my form and keeping my core tight. We turned around at the 7.5 mile mark. I had another GU at 2 hours. My hip flexors and left leg was starting to worry me that I might have to start walking. But it never got any worse. The back side hills were really rough on my legs and I was getting tired. Felt a little better once we got past the Bradford intersection. After going past the Ledges trail, I had a Spring Energy and felt better. My hands were either cold or hot, so gloves were on and off. Finally I just left them on for the last couple miles. Legs were tired and front hip flexors were sore but everything else was ok. Before we started down the last hill, I knew we were going to be short of 15 miles. Bob P. had to head out but Bob and I went back and ran back to the top of the hill to make up the miles. Legs were toast the last half mile to the parking lot. Glad to be done. Bob asked if I could do 5 more, meaning 20 miles and I said no. I think running on the snow added another layer of difficulty. Good run though and glad to have the two Bobs for company. I think I need to spend some time training on the back half of the course and start at Conant to help feel better on the hills. Probably the last good winter run though.
Gear: NB tights, short tech T, jacket, gloves (on/off/on), new Nathan pack, spikes