Tag Archives: snowshoe

Found: Nemo

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Connecticut found Nemo. And we’re hoping whoever lost him will claim him soon. This weather is insane! After weeks of record-setting cold and single digit temperatures, it had finally reached a suitable run-outside temperature last week. Then we had a monster wind storm. And then, the predictions of Nemo began. Nothing good comes from a storm that is predicted, days out, to be “historic”, “epic”, or “catastrophic”. As if poor New England didn’t suffer enough with Irene and Sandy, we were getting Nemo. It’s always bad news when the weather reporters name a winter storm.

In preparation, I went to the gym and did a brick workout. I washed running clothes and bought some spinach for salad. Priorities. Nemo came through with the expected record snowfall. We got about 30 inches at my house. It was so much snow that the town had to send some sort of terrifying road grader/plow and front end loader to clear the snow.

Snow plow

Yikes! It was a lot of snow. Undeterred, I went out snowshoeing. I had 13-15 miles on my schedule for the weekend and I figured a nice snowshoe hike would have to do. I made it about 10 feet before I realized – three feet of snow is a crazy amount of snow. Snowshoeing in a foot of snow is lovely. Two feet of snow is doable. Three feet is practically impossible. Clearing trail by myself, I could only make it four or five steps before I had to rest. Although I was up on top of a foot and a half of snow, I was having to move another foot and a half with my feet. It was like walking in quicksand.

Snowshoeing

I’m on top of about 4 feet of snow here. That’s my normal height lamp post, all but buried in the snow.

24 hours after the snow stopped, I was finally able to leave the house and set up a snowshoe date with some local friends. Most roads were only barely passable, so we kept it close to home. Working as a team of three, we took turns breaking trail. It was tough going! Our hard work was rewarded with great views, amazing animal tracks, and a nice workout. The snow is deep and mushy, so it will be here for a while. Looks like me and my SportsCenter treadmill workout will be spending extra time together this week.

My next big race, the Gapsarilla Distance Classic, is less than two weeks away. I’m hideously undertrained, thanks to this terrible winter weather, but I’m counting down the days. Nothing will feel better than to leave all this snow and freezing rain behind and run in gorgeous Tampa!

When You Can’t Run…

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Snowshoe! We finally have enough snow for snowshoeing so I invited a running friend out on the trails. He cross country skied and I snowshoed alongside. It was the perfect day for snowshoeing. It was about 25 degrees, sunny, and clear. The snow was light and fresh and the ponds were frozen. Deer tracks crisscrossed the trail and disappeared off in the distance.

Some brave explorers crossed the pond, but we stuck to the trails. Some were well-traveled, but on others we were moving through fresh snow. It was a quiet day in the woods.

Though I miss the days of the unseasonably warm weather and dry roads, I’m thankful that we had one good day for snow sports. It was a lovely day and a much needed substitute for my long run.

CT Pace Per Mile Update: It’s a Racing Desert

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The details for races featured in my Connecticut Pace Per Mile Race Report for January 16 – 22, 2012 here…

It’s winter in Connecticut, and it finally feels like winter, so we are entering the Racing Desert – that time of year in cold climates when its either too snowy, or too cold to race. In Connecticut, we’re even worse off because there is no snow yet this year. This has led to the cancellation of some popular snowshoe races. Not to be discouraged, I have found a few races for you braves souls who want to get out there and race on the trails, the snow, or the roads.

If you’re willing to travel to find the snow, consider checking out one of the WMAC Dion Racing Series races. There are several upcoming races and races throughout the winter. On Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 9:30am in Averill Park, NY, the Brave the Blizzard Snowshoe Race will be run. It’s a 3.8 mile race. On Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 10:30am in Lanesborough, MA, the Constitution Hill Snowshoe Race will be run. This race is a 3.6 mile trek through the snow. Check the WMAC Dion Racing Series website for registration information and, more importantly, weather information. Obviously, snow is required for snowshoe races, so all the races are dependent upon weather conditions.

I’m still featuring last week’s featured trail race, the Belleville Pond 10k Trail Race, Saturday, January 28, 2012, 10am, North Kingstown, RI – This is the third race in the South County 4th Season Race Series.

Finally, if you’re interested in a chilly road race and willing to travel, consider the The Frosty Runner Road Race, Saturday, January 21, 2012, 9am, Rochester, MA – This race features two distances, a 10 (or 10.5 mile depending on where you read it) mile run and a 3.1 mile walk/run. The registration fee is $20 pre-registered ($18 online through the website linked above), or $25 on the race day. The first 100 pre-registered runners receive a Frosty Runner’s hat and all runners and walkers get post-race food and drinks. There will be age group awards for finishers willing to brave the cold.

Stay warm out there, runners!