Sunday, 2/23/2020 to Saturday, 2/29/2020

My left IT band appears to be healed. I stretch before and after each run ... usually.
I ran 3 times for 25.49 miles this week.
I took 66,748 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt).
My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

Sunday, 2/23/2020

23302 steps, 48/136 resting/peak HR, 7:16 hrs sleep, 171.1 lbs, 51 floors climbed
run: 14.39 miles, 2:16;16, 9:28 pace, 129 avg HR, 153 avg cadence, 33F, 49% RH, 10 mph SW wind, wind chill 25F, mostly cloudy

Today's run was my 16th Round the Bay run. I had talked with Prem Kumar about running with him last week at Freezeroo #6. Now ... in hindsight I will admit that it was a stretch for such a long run.

The plan was to meet down in the public parking opposite the Bay Front restaurant at the bottom of Irondequoit Bay at 8 AM. It was around freezing with a forecast in the 40s later in the day. So I wore my winter usual: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, short sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve tech, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I got there around 7:50 AM.

It turned out that 5 of us were there. Andy Ciaio, Prem, and 2 other guys whose names escape me. We set an easy pace up the 1.25 mile long Empire Blvd hill. I began to lead. I did set a faster pace when the shoulders began to get narrow on Bay Rd since I was nervous about the traffic. I was running well. The miles began to click off. I stopped for a couple of gulps of Hammer Gel at the swing bridge at mile 6.5. Then ... the wheels began to fall off. I was tired. I couldn't hold a good run pace all the way down Culver Ave and Titus Ave. Then it was down and up the hills on the west side of Irondequoit Bay. I walked up the 2 major hills. Then a slow run down Empire Blvd back to the 2019 Trax. Everyone was waiting for me. It seems that they had taken the shortcut of running up the I590 path. I was beat!

I didn't take a post run selfie since I didn't want to scare my kids. I felt like death warmed over and I am sure that I looked it too. My splits were: 10:33, 9:10, 8:45, 8:20, 8:23, 8:11, 10:19, 9:37, 9:38, 9:30, 9:15, 10:38, 9:47, 10:58 and 8:07 over the last 0.39 mile.

What should I have done differently? I don't run easy well. Maybe I didn't have my mind set on running more than just to the swing bridge and the thought of the hills to come just bothered me. I do like the "official" Round the Bay where you start at the swing bridge and get the hills out of the way first. Who knows? I got it done ... but felt like crap the rest of the day.

Monday, 2/24/2019: 3269 steps, 57/98 resting/peak HR, 5:47 hrs sleep, 168.9 lbs, 1 floor climbed

The number 2 and 24 ... 2 for Gigi Bryant and 24 for Kobe Bryant. The Staples Center held a Celebration of Life in LA, Staples Center link here. I looked at the CNN live link here during the ceremony. Lots more here, here, here, here, here and here. I must admit that I sobbed a bit in private ... so sad that Kobe, Gigi and the other 7 people were taken from this earth. The Mambamambacita Sports Foundation plans on furthering their legacy through charitable endeavors in sports, link here.

I was more than a bit tired today. I think yesterday's 14.39 mile run and not getting enough sleep caught up to me. My darling wife, Christine, wasn't feeling 100% and left me to put in 2 baked potatoes and Lloyd's Ribs in the oven. I fixed her tomato soup when they were done. She came down to the kitchen to make sure that they were done. Mmm ... so delicious along a glass of milk. I was in bed by 9 PM and asleep by 9:30 PM.

Tuesday, 2/25/2020

12920 steps, 54/145 resting/peak HR, 7:42 hrs sleep, 3 floors climbed
run: 5.05 miles, 43:56, 8:42 pace, 136 avg HR, 157 avg cadence, 36F, 79% RH, 10 mph NE wind, wind chill 29F, overcast

I needed to get out tonight since I had a Ricoh event at Dave and Buster's after work on Wednesday. I clocked in and out 15 minutes early so I could get up to Greece Arcadia High School and out on my run by 5 PM. I set up a nice and easy pace. My legs told me in no uncertain terms that they hadn't forgiven or forgotten my 14.39 miles on Sunday so I held the pace easy and the run short. My splits were: 8:36, 8:50, 8:45, 8:42 and 8:39.

Wednesday, 2/26/2020: 5723 steps, 50/95 resting/peak HR, 6:48 hrs sleep, 163.7 lbs, 7 floors climbed

I had to change the 4 AAA batteries in my Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale. I lost about 6 pounds instantly ... who knew that was the secret to weight loss!

Thursday, 2/27/2020: 4583 steps, 49/125 resting/peak HR, 7:19 hrs sleep, 0 (??) floors climbed

OK ... not so funny, lol! My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale with the day old batteries told me I weighed about 173 pounds (back to normal) but refused to recognize me as Doug. I think it thinks that no one can gain almost 10 pounds in a day so ... who is this person stepping on me! The LED lit up FAT, HR X. I hope it was saying that it didn't recognize my fat % or heart rate.

Friday, 2/28/2020: 5442 steps,  52/93 resting/peak HR, 7:00 hrs sleep, 8 floors climbed

I thought about running but it was cold so I bagged it.

Saturday, 2/29/2020:

11509 steps, 54/134 resting/peak HR, 5:58 hrs sleep, 24 floors climbed
run: 6.05 miles, 59:11, 9:47 pace, 129 avg HR, 157 avg cadence, 16F, 71% RH, 12 mph NW wind, wind chill 3F, partly cloudy

It was cold, breezy and 2 to 3 inches of snow had fallen overnight ... but I knew I was going out for a run ... but where? I decided on staying off the road and on the LOSP trail instead. It was in the teens and the wind chill was in the single digits so I wore a lot: CW-X tights, shorts, Craft long sleeve, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve, balaclava, Brooks beanie, sunglasses and ski mittens. I wore my Salomon SpeedCross 4 trail shoes also. I took it real nice and easy. The snow was unbroken (except by animal tracks) between the hole in the fence by our Greenleaf Meadows townhouse and Island Cottage. I didn't use any music so it was just me and my footsteps crunching in the snow. My splits were: 9:57, 9:19, 9:50, 9:41, 9:57 and 10:01.

It's the end of February so it's stat time!
.
I ran 18 times (4 were warm up runs before races) for 88.3 miles, 4.91 miles/run
I ran 3 races in February:
 02/08 Freezeroo #5, 7.98 miles, 1:06:05, 8:17 pace
 02/16 Polar Cat #2, 3.07 miles, 23:27, 7:33 pace
 02/22 Freezeroo #6, 3.12 miles, 23:55, 7:40 pace
I took 271,782 steps in February and 518,520 steps so far in 2020.

Sunday, 2/16/2020 to Saturday, 2/22/2020 - Polar Cat #2 & Freezeroo #6

My left IT band appears to be healed. I stretch before and after each run ... usually.
I ran 5 times for 17.94 miles this week.
I took 60.780 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt).
My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

Sunday, 02/16/2020

8168 steps, 54/150 resting/peak HR, 6:10 hrs sleep, 169.7 lbs, 7 floors climbed
run #1: 1.15 miles, 10:24, 9:01 pace, 117 avg HR, 155 avg cadence, 35F, 78% RH, 10 mph W wind, wind chill 27F, overcast
run #2: 3.07 miles, 23:44, 7:44 pace, 142 avg HR, 165 avg cadence, 35F, 78% RH, 10 mph W wind, wind chill 27F, overcast

Today's race was Polar Cat #2 at noon. I almost got up to go out for a run in the morning but I got a text alert from Rochester Running Company about Polar Cat #2. So ... I didn't and just relaxed until 10:45 AM. It was 32F warmer this morning (3F yesterday vs 35F today) so I wore a bit less: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I probably could have just gone with the Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover.

The course venue was unusual: the Elmwood Ave entrance to the Mt Hope Cemetery. The course turned out to 2 loops inside the Mt Hope Cemetery. I parked at the College Town parking lot on Mt Hope around 11:25 AM. I ran over to the registration tent, picked up my Polar Cat series swag: a pair of Polar Cats sweatpants, ran back to the 2019 Trax and back for 1.15 miles at 9:01 pace, link here.

I talked with Prem Kumar before the race. I had not run before the race. Prem thought about running around the Bay, running 10 miles or running 5 miles before the race. He choose to run 5 miles ... what a guy!

We had to wait a couple minutes after noon but ... we were off! I was a bit cold and the first 1/2 mile was tough. I chuckled to myself when I saw a mile 2 sign on the first loop. "I wish" I said out loud. I settled in, ran as well as I could through loop 1 ... mile 2 ... keep going ... mile 3 ... turn left into the finish arch. I forgot to turn off my Garmin for 15 seconds. I ate a bagel, grabbed a banana, a pint of water and walked back to College Town.

I took a side trip to BJs on the way home for gas and a bit of groceries. The results were up on runsignup.com when I got home. My official time was 23:27, 7:38 pace. I was 29th out of 135, 3rd out of 8 in my M 60-64 age group, link here.

Monday, 0217/2020: 3819 steps, 50/104 resting/peak HR, 6:35 hrs sleep, 170.5 lbs, 0 (!) floors climbed
Tuesday, 02/18/2020: 4217 steps, 50/107 resting/peak HR, 7:09 hrs sleep, 172.5 lbs, 3 floors climbed

Wednesday, 02/19/2020

17426 steps, 50/145 resting/peak HR, 7:34 hrs sleep, 171.7 lbs, 11 floors climbed
run: 8.15 miles, 1:10:21, 8:37 pace, 136 avg, 159 avg cadence,

I so needed to run tonight. I took a half hour lunch so I could punch out at 4:30 PM. I got up to the Greece Arcadia High School and got out for my run by 5 PM. It was chilly so I wore: CW-X tight, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. My clothing choices were spot on except for the heavy running gloves. My fingers were cold for the first 3 miles before they finally warmed up. Ski mittens would have been a better choice. Oh well ... I chose my "Loop from GAHS" so that I couldn't turn back and make the run shorter. Even so I thought about just heading out 3.1 miles and then heading back. But ... I kept running north on Long Pond Rd to make it a full 8 mile run. Boom ... done! I should have brought my headlamp instead of just my Noxgear Tracer360 lighted vest but ... I was lit up at the very least. It was only just getting dark when I got back to GAHS. My splits were: 8:22, 8:37, 8:40, 8:36, 8:28, 8:33, 8:49, 8:53 and 8:50 over the last 0.15 mile.

Thursday, 02/20/2020: 11116 steps, 48/103 resting/peak HR, 7:08 hrs sleep, 170.5 lbs, 5 floors climbed

Friday, 02/21/2020: 5965 steps, 42/95 resting/peak HR, 7:25 hrs sleep, 173.7 lbs, 5 floors climbed

Saturday, 02/22/2020

10069 steps, 49/147 resting/peak HR, 7:45 hrs sleep, 171.4 lbs, 16 floors climbed
run #1: 1.15 miles, 10:35, 9:10 pace, 120 avg, 155 avg cadence, 32F, 59% RH, 10 mph WSW wind, wind chill 24F, sunny
run #2: 4.32 miles, 34:46 (34:15 officially), 8:03 (7:56 officially), 142 avg HR, 164 avg cadence, 34F, 55% RH, 12 WSW wind, wind chill 26F, sunny

Today's race was Freezeroo #6. This race was another which has had various venues and various distances. This year was the fourth at the White House (Lake Rd in Webster near Holt Rd) and 2 loops of 2.2 miles. My previous times were: 2017 - 31:20, 2018 - 32:31 and 2019 - 33:46.

I got out to the race venue early enough to get a good parking lot at the White House. I got out for a nice warm up run of 1.15 miles at 9:10 pace, link here. I met up with Prem Kumar and Andy Ciaio like usual. Andy wanted to draft off me but I knew he would be ahead of me shortly after the start.

I don't particularly like this course since we run with traffic instead of against it but ... it's tradition so GRTC runs it that way. The original Polar Cat series ran by the late Bill Kehoe ran it that way too. And ... we were off! I got up to race pace quickly ... and held on as best I could. The race progressed ... and done!

The start, loop 1 and loop 2 ... photos courtesy of  Christina Darlak Ruhland

My official time was 34:15, link here. I was 3rd out of 14 in my M 60-64 age group, link here. The post race food was excellent. I had 2 pieces of pizza and a donut. I was also 3rd in my M 60-64 age group in the 2019-2020 Freezeroo series, link here and received $10. My splits were: 7:48, 7:56, 8:04, 8:06 and 8:54 (off because I forgot to turn off my Garmin for 31 seconds).

Sunday, 2/09/2020 to Saturday, 2/15/2020

My left IT band appears to be healed. I stretch before and after each run ... usually.
I ran 3 times for 13.96 miles this week.
I took 59.410 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt).
My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

Sunday, 02/09/2020

6709 steps, 48/138 resting/peak HR, 7:35 hrs sleep, 169.9 lbs, 8 floors climbed
run: 4.06 miles, 35:51, 8:50 pace, 129 avg HR, 159 avg cadence, 20F, 92% RH, 3 mph SW wind, partly cloudy

I slept in until 6:35 PM and puttered around like I normally do. I wanted to wait until it got warmer but the temp just stayed in the high teens or low 20s during the morning before warming up to above freezing in the afternoon. I finally got out at 9 AM. My legs were tired and I didn't want to push so I just did an out and back 4 miles on a rarely used route (Greenleaf Rd to the end of Beach Ave and back). My splits were: 8:48, 8:46, 8:53 and 8:48.

Monday, 2/10/2020: 9696 steps, 40/109 resting/peak HR, 6:37 hrs sleep, 168.7 lbs, 4 floors climbed

I got a call from my daughter, Karen. My ex, Nancy, fell and broke her foot on Sunday. She hoped it would get better overnight but saw her doctor the next day and got a X-ray. She is now is a walking boot for a month or more. I expect that I will have to take over the grocery shopping duty for my oldest son, Micheal and Karen.

Tuesday, 2/11/2020: 5900 steps, 48/95 resting/peak HR, 7:08 hrs sleep, 170.6 lbs, 2 floors climbed

I took a blood test as part of my annual physical last month. One of the tests came back with a high TSH (thyroid). Christine told me that it could be why I am so tired most of the time. I need to get a confirmation TSH and T4 FREE test.

Wednesday, 2/12/2020

15366 steps, 47/144 resting/peak HR, 6:16 hrs sleep, 170.8 lbs, 5 floors climbed
run: 5.85 miles, 50:22, 8:36 pace, 137 avg HR, 158 avg cadence, 37F, 44% RH, 5 mph SW wind, wind chill 33F, overcast

I was determined to get out so I only took a half hour lunch. I got up to the Greece Arcadia High School and got out at 5 PM. It was around 40F which felt warm. I wore my winter usual: CW-X tights, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 long sleeve pullover, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. It was still light but the sun was going to set in 30 minutes more or less so I wore my Noxgear Tracer360 lighted vest (set to blue). I set an easy pace. I thought about going to 7.5 miles but settled for almost 6. My splits were: 8:20, 8:31, 8:36, 8:39, 8:40 and 8:53 over the last 0.85 mile.

Thursday, 2/13/2020: 5056 steps, 45/89 resting/peak HR, 7:28 hrs sleep, 169.9 lbs, 3 floors climbed

Friday, 2/14/2020: 2410 + 4000 steps, 47/113 resting/peak HR, 7:08 hrs sleep, 170.5 lbs, 3 floors climbed

Why add 4000 steps? Well ... I forgot to charge my Garmin Vivoactive HR and it died at 10:16 AM.

Saturday, 2/15/2020

10273 steps, 48/139 resting/peak HR, 6:52 hrs sleep, 170.0 lbs, 10 floors climbed
run: 4.06 miles, 36:14, 8:56 pace, 132 avg HR, 159 avg cadence, 3F, 68% RH, 7 mpn SW wind, wind chill -8F, sunny

It was cold, sunny and the forecast was that it was going to be warmer in the afternoon. But ... I had places to go so I got up, got dressed to the conditions and got out there. I chose my CW-X tights, shorts, Darn Tough socks, Kraft long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava, Brooks beanie, ski mittens and clear googles. The only thing that wasn't covered was my nose. My "winter" beard did keep my chin warm, lol! I was only cold for about 1/2 mile. I chose my "Out by the pier" route so I would be running in one direction for too long. There were only two other people out: a photographer on the pier and a guy on the boardwalk. It was OK out if you were dressed for it. My splits were: 9:16, 9:01, 8:57 and 8:33. Hmm ... negative splits!

Well ... I had places to go. First, it was out to see my daughter, Karen, in Palmyra. She had bought a new 17" inch HP laptop from BJ's so my task was to transfer her data from her old laptop. It took a bit to figure out how to take off the back. It took about 2 hours from start to finish. We took out her cardboard and milk jugs while her data was being transferred. Then I took her to the Macedon Walmart for grocery shopping. Her mother has a broken foot. Then it was over to Macedon to see my oldest son, Michael. We talked outside for a while. Then it was back up to Rochester.

Sunday, 2/2/2020 to Saturday, 2/8/2020 - Freezeroo #5

My left IT band appears to be healed. I stretch before and after each run ... usually.
I ran 4 times for 24.88 miles this week.
I took 76,890 steps this week according to my Garmin Vivoactive HR (VA-HR) smartwatch.
My VA-HR gives me steps, heart rate, hours slept and floors climbed (take those last 2 data points with a grain of salt).
My Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer scale gives my weight.

Sunday, 02/02/2020

15436 steps, 47/145 resting/peak HR, 8:20 hrs sleep, 169.5 lbs, 11 floors climbed
run #1: 4.05 miles, 35:15, 8:42 pace, 132 avg HR, 159 avg cadence, 32F, 88% RH, 8 mph SW wind, wind chill 25F, overcast with light snow
run #2: 5.65 miles, 48:49, 8:38 pace, 136 avg HR, 162 avg cadence, 31F, 92% RH, calm, overcast

Super Bowl Sunday ... what to do before the game? Why not run twice? So ... I did. I slept in until 9 AM ... unbelievable but true.

I got out at 10:30 AM for the first run. I had a Redbox DVD entitled Terminator: Dark Fate (with Arnold and Linda Hamilton) to take back to the 7-11 on Lake Ave so I stopped by there and continued onward. My splits were: 9:04, 8:27, 8:50 and 8:30.

The usual 2 mugs of coffee ensued along with an early lunch. Then Christine treated me and let me watch the bikinis in the 2017 Baywatch movie with the Rock along with cameos from David "Hoff" Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. The movie was actually quite funny with all the usual raunchy adult jokes.

I got out for my second run around 4:30 PM. I stayed on the LOSP trail for a full out and back. It was kind of amazing that in 5 hours how the snow that had fallen during the first one had melted and that the ground was softer and muddier. I took it longer and a wee bit faster. My splits were: 9:09, 8:27, 8:19, 8:29, 8:51 and 8:33 over the last 0.65 mile.

Then ... Christine and I settled down to watch the Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers vs the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs spotted the 49ers a 20-10 lead into the 4th quarter before rolling off 3 TDs to win 31-20. Unfortunate if you were hoping for a 49ers victory like I was, link here.

Monday, 2/3/2020: 4969 steps, 51/99 resting/peak HR, 6:15 hrs sleep, 167.9 lbs, 4 floors climbed

Tuesday, 2/4/2020

12489 steps, 50/145 resting/peak HR, 7:32 hrs sleep, 169.3 lbs, 2 floors climbed
run: 5.65 miles, 48:44, 8:37 pace, 138 avg HR, 160 avg cadence, 36F, 67% RH, 9 mph NW wind, wind chill 28F, overcast

I got out for a run after work while Christine cooked up some Lloyds ribs. It was dark and around freezing so I wore my winter usual of CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, beanie and running gloves. I wore my Noxgear Tracer360 and headlamp from eBay. I just took it nice and easy while I let the run happen. No worries. My splits were: 8:57, 8:33, 8:38, 8:32, 8:41 and 8:12 over the last 0.65 mile.

Wednesday, 2/5/2020: 8778 + 5000 steps, 52/94 resting/peak HR, 6:11 hrs sleep, 170.4 lbs, 6 floors climbed

Why did I add 5000 steps? Well ... I have to put my cell phones and smartwatch HR is a locker whenever I go into a SCIF. I have to crawl all around not 1 but 2 SCIFs when I put on new signs and stickers on almost all the printers. Christine surprised me by suggesting that I pick her up to take her out to supper. We round up at our old standby ... the Char Broil on Island Cottage. I had the shaved prime rib sandwich and Christine had the triple-decker turkey club Mmm!

Thursday, 2/6/2020: 1498 steps, 48/124 resting/peak HR, 7:55 hrs sleep, 170.6 lbs, 1 floors climbed

Ricoh has a "use it or lose it" vacation policy. Their fiscal year runs until the end of March and I have 7.5 days left. Christine enjoyed some time together and went out to a late lunch at Bill Gray's at the port. We had the Thursday's cheeseburger special, split some fries and enjoyed some Labatt Blue Lights.

Friday, 2/7/2020: 7340 steps, 49/136 resting/peak HR, 6:20 hrs sleep, 170.0 lbs, 4 floors climbed

I did have this day off but my boss called me up on Thursday night to ask me to come in. There was a lot of snow forecast for Friday and the guy who was going to cover me was going to have to drive in from Buffalo. So ... I went to work.

Saturday, 2/8/2020

21380 steps, 50/147 resting/peak HR, 7:20 hrs sleep, 171.2 lbs, 6 floors climbed
run #1: 1.55 miles, 13:47, 8:53 pace, 128 avg HR, 158 avg cadence, 16F, 79% RH, 7 mph N wind, wind chill 7F, overcast with light snow
run #2: 7.98 miles, 1:06:05, 8:17 pace, 143 avg HR, 164 avg cadence, 16F, 79% RH, 6 mph N wind, wind chill 8F, overcast with light snow
run #3: 2.08 miles, 31:05, 14:59 pace, 128 avg HR, 129 avg cadence, 16F, 71% RH, calm, partly cloudy

Today's race was my eighth Freezeroo #5. This race is also one that have changed venue but not the  distance of 8 miles. I ran 2011 - 1:01:36, 2012 - 59:41, 2014 - 59:29, 2015 - 1:01:56 from the Greece DPW on Long Pond Rd. The race was cancelled due to too much snow in 2013 and sub zero wind chill in 2016. The race moved to Braddock Bay Park on East Manitou Rd in 2017. I ran 2017 - 1:00:20, 2018 - 1:00:57 and 2019 -  1:03:35. Both races still ran on Edgemere Drive (and its always in your face wind off of Lake Ontario) ... just different parts.

I was up early at 5:25 AM and puttered around like usual. The race venue was close so it only took a 10 minute drive on the Parkway. I got there around 8:20 AM. It was cold and brisk so I wore: CW-X tights, shorts, Craft long sleeve, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava, Brooks beanie and ski mittens. I was a little undecided about my footwear choice so I took a 1.55 mile warm up run at 8:53 pace with my Salamon SpeedCross 4 trail shoes, link here. I decided that I didn't need them so I changed back to my Brooks Adrenaline GTS19 shoes.


I wasn't quite ready when the start was given. It took about 5 extra seconds to get my left mitten on after I started up my RoadID (so Christine could track me) and my Garmin Vivoactive HR. I had to pick through about 30 to 40 runners during the first 1/4 mile before I got up to where I usually am during a Freezeroo.

Exiting the Victor Town Park about 1/2 mile into the race ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com

I picked up the pace and just kept my position as we all stretched out from each other. The wind was in our face on Edgemere Drive like usual.

Vickey Beaver snapped this pic as I was passing her on Edgemere Drive around mile 5

Heading into the finish ... photo courtesy of Christina Darlak Ruhland

The snow and ice on the jog of Braddock Rd and Third Ave at mile 6.5 slowed me down. It was difficult to get back up to my race pace. But ... I managed. I could see that the clock was going to go past 1:06 ... done in 1:06:09. I was more than happy to stop.

I headed into the lodge after I retrieved my mug of coffee from the 2019 Trax. I was happy to sit down with a bagel and coffee for a bit. I saw someone put cream cheese and peanut butter on her bagel. She said it tasted good so I tried it ... it did taste good. I would have never thought of this pairing! I headed home but I did Ricoh business off the clock. I stopped by L3HarrisB601 to pick up a MPCW2200 ink collector that I then took out to a needy MPCW2200 at RTP-B6. Then I went back to B601 where I pulled a MPC307 hot swap from a conference room, rolled a SP8300 to the dock for pickup on Monday and took home a MPCW2200 magenta ink so I could deliver it to RTP-B6 on Monday.

The Hourglassworks.com results were already up by the time I got home. I did OK. I finished in 1:06:09 and was 37th out of 106, link here. I was 3rd out of 7 in my M 60-64 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:05, 8:00, 8:09, 8:19, 8:14, 8:21, 8:42 and 8:27. I rested with a mug of coffee and a bit of lunch. But ... it was cold, there was snow on the ground and I had a pair of Dion snowshoes in the closet.

Why to do? Get out for my third run of the day before the sun set! Luckily my balaclava, Brooks beanie and ski mittens were 90% dry. I headed out just as the mailman delivered our mail. I ran around the perimeter of the Lake Shore Country Club. The snow was just deep enough. It was a bit icy on the top. I took it really slow since I knew that snowshoeing is harder than it looks ... especially when you run while wearing snowshoes. My splits were: 14:42, 15:02 and 18:00 over the 0.08 mile.

My impromptu running calendar that I keep told me that a couple other running events were held today. The Little Rodent (a 4 mile snowshoe race) and Cast a Shadow (a 6 hour snowshoe race/relay) were held out at Mendon Ponds Park by Roadsarepoison.com/castashadow. The Beast of Burden 25M/50M/100M ultra was held out at Lockport.