Checking out the neighborhood snow situation
Nothing like first tracks
So with the wind blowing pretty good, we opted out of any exposed routes and headed over to Ute Valley Park. Need to be sharp running technical trails covered in fresh snow, so this would be a good mental as well as physical workout - all while staying predominantly out of the wind. Since we have not had an abundance of snow this year, it was a nice change of pace to crunch through the fresh powder on a cool morning, all while enjoying the bright sunshine that has been absent from Colorado (and many other states) for most of the week. (Dang Canadians sending all their crappy cold fronts down here...)
Dropping in below the rim - and out of the wind!
Great day for a run
Basking in the sun
Not many tracks on the technical stuff - most stayed on the wide trails
You can tell the dog tracks - following their "own" trail!!!
Kathleen coming through the trees
Ute Valley, with Blodgett Peak falling prey to the incoming cloudcover
Untouched blanket of snow - peaceful
Parting shot - and clouds rolling in
We had a couple light periods of snow falling during the run, increasing in frequency as we started to head toward home. The clouds came in pretty quickly, and stayed with us most of the day. It is "funny" how fresh snow on the ground makes it a little more mentally tolerable to have cold temperatures. While 20 degrees is quite balmy after our nice subzero stretch mid-week, it seems less irritating when there is some snow to show for it. Must be one of those mental trickery issues. It was nice to get out for 11 miles of trail/snow running, even though the fresh snow gets to be a little like running in sand. Bracing right now for another round of negative temps, although this week's installment is scheduled for shorter duration and we may get back to some 50's by this weekend - gotta love the Rockies!!! Happy Trails!
Shoes - K Asics 2150 Trail
S Pearl Izumi SyncroFuel XC
9 comments:
Putting feelers out for the idea that you guys might be up for some scenic runs, say, around August 20-21? I know a guy who claims to be training for "the race that will not be named" over at the Longest Run. I also happen to know that he is in the market for some comrades to help lighten the mood and the load. Maybe you could give the idea some consideration? By the way, I enjoy your descriptions and the pics of your runs. Frankly, I am jealous!
I actually do miss the snow and cold, and I miss bundling up (although, at times, it's really cold and wet here in SF)! And seeing pictures like this make me miss it even more!
Beautiful shots -- I absolutely love the bright blue skies against the crisp white snow. Looks like you had a gorgeous morning ... until the clouds headed back in. :)
xoxo,
A
Lovely run! I love the "first tracks". The photos without any tracks are also beautiful in a different way. Really super as always, thanks! You will have to investigate and let us know what's happening on those closed trails.
Really 50's by the weekend? That would be great!
Great report, I had never really thought about how much more of a challenge it would be to be the first tracks, your mental game would have to be spot on. Thanks for the great pics!
We really cannot ask for a better or more beautiful place to run than in our own Colorado Springs... :)
Snow covered ground absolutely makes it warmer!
Beautiful pics with the blue blue skies! We have had quite the winter of snow. It is hard to get down our driveway as there is nowhere to put the snow anymore!
Serious question - how do you keep your feet warm?
Glenn-
Most often merino wool socks or Drymax winter socks. This particular day, I had on Seirus Stormsocks with a thin merino wool liner because we were expecting the shoes to be wet from the snow. Always remember - wool still insulates when wet, most synthetics don't.
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