The Beautiful Loop

The most perfect winter running conditions brought out a pretty big group to this Saturday's run at Bradbury. Valerie, Rick, Erin, Christine and Sara did an out and back while Jamie, Blaine, Nate, Lily (+ Echo), Jim, Erik (+ Django) and Randy joined me for a 15 mile loop. This has got to be one of my favorite routes to run, and because of certain rivers that need to be crossed it's only available to run in the winter. There had been plenty of snowmobile traffic lately and despite the warm weather from the day before any potential wet spots were frozen solid.

The temperature was actually colder than most of us expected at the start and I was a little worried about being underdressed, but it didn't take long for the temperature to get up into the 30's and I think it even hit 40 by the time we finished the run. I ran the last few miles with my hat off and sleeves rolled up.

Django leading the way

Tracks across the corn field 3.5 miles into the loop

A piece of machinery trying to fly out of the sand pit

7.25 miles into the loop, Chandler Brook not looking too solid...

"Rock Solid" as Jamie said

Crossing Lawrence Road, 8 miles into the loop

Water break for the dogs

Powerlines paralleling Allen Road

Steep climb at 11 miles after crossing Elmwood Road

We explored a "new" section of trail on the shady side of the powerlines and missed one of my favorite hills :(

We made a "wrong turn" following the well-travelled snowmobile trails heading back into the park and missed a good hill (South Ridge of Bradbury), but we still had plenty of good hills on this run.

time: 2:13:25
distance: 15.11 miles
pace: 8:50

weather: low 20's to upper 30's, mostly clear sky

conditions: the most perfect packed snowmobile trails, snow a bit thin in places

gear: Inov-8 Roclite 315 with screws, Smart Wool socks, short tights, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, 2x thin gloves, buff (off at end), Nathan HPL #20