Two for Tuesday

For a few reasons that I don't need to completely get into right now I've decided to skip a long run next weekend and instead pack a few longer days in at the beginning of the week. I guess it has mostly to do with the snowshoe race next weekend, since I've had two good races so far this winter I don't want to go into the final race of the series feeling too tired. I'm hoping to get in another 50k the following week so I guess that's another reason I don't feel the need to go too long this weekend.

Anyway, Jeff was looking for some company on his long run this morning so I joined him for two laps around our local Blackstrap Hill on the roads. He had advertised this run at an 8:00-8:10 pace which sounded pretty easy for Jeff, and I shouldn't have been surprised that it turned out to be quicker than that. That's OK, it was a beautiful day, bright sun and bit breezy, but not too cold. My right calf had been feeling a bit tight after the weekend's long runs but thanks to my compression socks it wasn't bothering me at all during run even though there were some long uphill stretches. It was nice to catch up with Jeff and  having his company made the miles tick by quickly.

time: 1:28:06
distance: 11.5 miles
pace: 7:40

weather: mid 30's, sunny, breezy
gear: Saucony Kinvara 2, socks, compression leg sleeves, shorts, 2x long sleeve shirts, 2x gloves, hat

And since it's Tuesday I wouldn't miss the regular TMR TNR, and the dogs definitely needed to get out for a run. I knew the trail conditions at Pratt's Brook would be pretty icy so I wasn't expecting this to be a great workout, I was glad to have gotten a decent run in earlier in the day. Despite what turned out to be very icy trails, with a few muddy spots we (Jim, Nathan, Scott and I) were able to move along at a decent pace, quicker than I had expected. In fact, this was one of the quicker Tuesday Night Runs we've had in a while.

time: 49:01
distance: 5.3 miles
pace: 9:15

weather: low 30's, clear and calm
gear: Inov-8 Roclite 315 with screws, wool socks, tights, 2x long sleeve shirts, 2x gloves, buff