A Sun Dog Day

The clippers keep coming and today was another sub-zero wave. But that didn't mean that it wasn't comfortable running the trails. In fact, it was more pleasant at -2° than at 5° with yesterday's wind. The evening snow, together with the wind made for very smooth, rounded patterns  on the snow. The county had just groomed the main quarry loop so those portions were excellent, fast running.

7 miles total today and one of my quickest elapsed time for the quarry trails. Then as I headed back to my Jeep to head home, I saw some distinct sun dogs in the western sky line. Another good workout in the books!

Roller Coaster

I can't remember a winter that has had the weather fluctuations of this one. Bitter cold and wind followed by a short warm-up then another cold spell. Alberta Clippers have been mentioned on the weather reports.

My winter look...abandoned before the track meet...now clean-shaven!

I haven't posted since Thursday, partly due to an indoor track meet in Sioux Center at Dordt College and partly due a 24-hour bug I somehow contracted.  The meet went quite well for NIACC and we gained some more national qualifiers. I then woke up in the middle of the night, vomiting and with a slight fever. I suspected food poisoning but perhaps just a stomach flu.

Got out on the trails on Monday after a day in because of the flu. It was peaceful and snowing while out there. Ended up with 8 miles on the day. I saw that someone else was running the trails on regular running shoes...eventually crossed paths with an ex-NIACC runner, Ethan Mulford.

Today was bitter cold again but I felt great while running, I only felt cold when stopped or walking. I could see by tracks that a friend of mine, Dave Nauman, was also running some of the trails on his Northern Lite snowshoes.

Apparently a favorite tree for local woodpeckers!

7 miles today.

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.