Long Shadows

One adjustment that has been allowed by retirement is the ability to get out for my runs at mid-day.  I've forgotten what it's like to enjoy a run as the sun is going down.

Today I found my mid-day consumed with a water supply consulting job.  So my snowshoe was postponed until after 4 PM.  It was very pleasant and the difference in lighting struck me as something that I've missed. My first clue was how long my shadow appeared while running my warm-up leg.

I turned back and enjoyed the change in color as the sun dropped lower towards the horizon.

 And the way the prairie grasses seemed to glow.

By the time I'd finished my workout, the moon had become very visible and is approaching it's full phase.

Cut it a bit short tonight at 5 miles.

Winter Wonderland

Took an extra day off from posting but not from snowshoe running.  The shift in weather has resulted in an interesting effect on the trees and the trails around the quarry have been a bit surreal.

7 miles yesterday and 6 today.  Still working on a bit more substantial post within the next day or so.

How Much Wood

The weather is finally coming back and we're able to sustain longer efforts outdoors without fear of adverse repercussions.  I was still feeling sluggish so chose a moderate effort and more relaxed pace.  I'm way behind on the podcasts that I listen in on regularly and am trying to catch up.  The seed for a future post regarding the past was planted during today's listens.

Noticed evidence, today, of the surmise of a Hairy Woodpecker last night beside the trail.

Also realized that I failed to show a short, yet steep, hill that I like to run snowshoe repeats on when working the Quarry Trails.

I  definitely appreciate being able to get out on these trails every day!  6 miles.

Head For the Hills

It's always been tough to find any decent "hills" when training around Mason City.  In the winter, I enjoy the rolling terrain found around the quarry trails that I use for snowshoe running.  In fact, it's hard to believe that such interesting geology is a mere 5 minute drive from my home and this is Iowa.

The shadows obscure the steepness of this slope.

Other snowshoers have been out on the ice of the quarry.

Today I ran the hills but also took it easier and slower than yesterday.  I've been hitting the snowshoeing rather hard lately and needed more of a recovery day.  6 miles total. 

Knee-jerk Reaction

I've had years of experience in running outdoors during cold, Iowa winters.  Even with that experience, I made the mistake of reacting to the -20° temps and high winds of yesterday by wearing similar layers of clothes today...9° and calm wind.  I was severely over-dressed and found myself  uncomfortably warm!

It was beautiful out on the Quarry Trails and I had a rather brisk, steady run on the snowshoes.  The snow has really firmed up with use and the cold.

Another 7 miles today.

Silent Killers

Saw evidence that the owls were out hunting in the woods last night. Occasionally, I can see one gliding through the brush but they are really quiet.

It was very cold out today with temperatures continuing to drop and winds increasing. It is supposed to drop into dangerously low sub-zero temps and wind chill overnight. But today again, it was fun to be in the woods and the bluffs offered a bit of protection.  A Facebook group called Ice Beard Runners just invited me to join and coincidentally I haven't shaved since Christmas so I decided to post a photo.  Most of the members that are posting have shown some significantly better frost build-ups than me.

Mid-run

Nearing the end...by the Old Mill on Lime Creek Trail system

But how about this ice beard!  Hope the weather doesn't have this effect on any runners tomorrow.

I, Hatchet Jack, being of sound mind and broke legs, do leaveth my rifle to the next thing who finds it, Lord hope he be a white man. It is a good rifle, and kilt the bear that kilt me. Anyway, I am dead. Sincerely, Hatchet Jack.      

Found myself remembering past conditions at a specific location along the trail...but for some reason I really didn't mind the snow of today.

January 5, 2014

June 13, 2013

April 16, 2013

Mouse Tracks

Another great day for the snowshoes.  Overnight temps rose to around 30 degrees before dropping into the teens for the day.  This helped the trails set-up and foot plants were firmer today than yesterday.

However, the snow beside the trails is still soft enough to showcase animal activities like mouse tracks...

or I've also been amused by how the squirrels can locate the walnuts that are buried in the snow and pinpoint dig them out.

and then scurry back to the south side base of a nearby tree to eat their prize.

Pleasant, steady 7 mile day.  My legs and hips are feeling the stress of the regular snowshoe run outings so far this winter...but it feels good to hurt like this again!