Sunday, 1/17/2016 to Saturday, 1/23/2015 - Freezeroo #4

I ran 4 times this week, 11.64 miles.

Sunday, 1/17/2016 to Wednesday, 1/20/2016: Rest days

I wanted to go out but didn't. The usual excuses ... a rest day, too cold, too hungry ... yada, yada, yada ... just didn't get out there.

Thursday, 1/21/2016: 2.4 miles, 32:02, 13:21, 21F, 62% RH, 4 mph NNW wind, overcast

Garmin Connect Activity of First snowshoe run of 2016

I needed to get out. There was enough snow so I found my snowshoes, dressed, and got out there. I struck up a really nice and easy pace. The first 5 steps were really, really cold as the snowshoes kicked up snow onto my back ... but then my back got dumb and it was all good. I just went up the railroad track up toward Greenleaf Rd until I could get around the train, turned around and headed all the way back to River St until I turned back and returned home. It was really quiet and peaceful with an almost full moon.

Friday, 1/22/2016: Rest day ... like usual before a race.

Saturday, 1/23/2016: 3 runs of 1,9, 6.34 and 1 mile, 23F, 79% RH, 18 mph NE wind, wind chill 9F, overcast

Today was Freezeroo #4, the "Hearnish 10K" down in Powder Mills Park. The course was the third one in three years. I got down to the Rands Lodge around 9 AM per my usual wish to get there a hour before the race start at 10 AM. I went inside, said "Hi" to the usual people, pinned on my bib and waited. I examined the new course map. It was interesting with 2 out and backs on two neighborhood streets.

It was 21F and windy so I had on my tights, a long sleeve tech, Brroks 1/4 zip pullover top, Brooks jacket, heavy gloves and Brooks beanie. I got out for a long warmup run of 1.9 miles, 8:33 pace, link here. I got back about 15 minutes before the race started. I took off my Brooks jacket. My fingers were cold so I changed to my skiing mittens before the race. I was a bit worried that I would be cold during the race due to the wind but I wasn't.

Pictures of the start - courtesy of Tim Mattews

And ... we were off! I got up to speed quickly.

About 1/2 mile from the start on Park Rd - courtesy of Tim Matthews

The first mile was on the old course. Then a left onto Railroad Mills Rd. Then we crossed the street and went up Fall Meadow Drive (and up some more) before we turned around. An out and back does let you see the leaders and know who is behind you. I slowed going up the hills but picked it back up on the way down which was nice. Back on Railroad Mills we turned up Old Forge Lane and went up and around for a while for more hills before coming back down to Railroad Mills.

Back on Railroad Mills Rd about 1.5 miles from the finish - courtesy of Tim Matthews

A left shortly after onto Woolston Rd ... mile 5 ... a few gentle rollers ... a left onto Condoroy Rd ... cut the corners ... take the tangents ... mile 6 ... past the old finish line ... left onto Park Rd ... finish line in sight ... be careful on the sharp left into the chute ... done in 47:21! My Garmin mileage was 6.34 miles.

I went right out for a cooldown run with Bill Beyerbach. Just a really nice and easy 1 mile run at 9:34 pace, link here. We stopped where he had left his car at his girlfriend's house. He gave me a ride back to Rand Lodge where I had half a bagel before I left to go home. A couple mugs of coffee and much lounging ensued.

Another Freezeroo #4 in the books, my sixth. I felt good during the race and I ran well. My splits were: 7:34, 7:45, 7:24, 7:40, 7:25, 7:22 and 7:01 over the last 0.34 mile for a pace of 7:28 pace. I did OK, 42nd out of 176 overall, link here. I was 3rd out of 13 in my series M55-59 age group, link here.