First Tracks Again

Yesterday was status quo and I ran my typical workout with snowshoes.  There was a bit of fresh snow overnight but also rather strong winds.  

The trails had enough new snow that the county was able to get out and groom...great running conditions as I was the first to show up after the groom. My time out there was a bit schizophrenic with sunshine and wind then overcast and snow flurries then sun and snow flurries. 

The bonus once I got out to my ancillary trails was being 1st tracks on the fresh snow except for the wildlife. The routine deer tracks were obvious but I was treated today to coyote tracks that appeared to be so fresh that I kept looking ahead for a glimpse. I saw one a couple years ago and the county posted a shot from a game camera they set up this winter so there's positive evidence of the coyote activity in the area.

7 miles yesterday and 8 today.

Obstacle Course

The front that moved through overnight brought a change in wind direction with gusts up to 50 mph.  There was a fresh layer of frozen rain on the snow and light flurries all day. This allowed for very fast snow conditions on my regular snowshoe route around the quarry.  Only thing slowing me today was the occasional branch across the path!

Enjoyed the quicker running and ended up with an 8 mile total.

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.