Wind and Snow, Dreaming of Racing

My first trail run since the Las Vegas Half Marathon a week ago was extremely windy and a little bit cold.  We met at Sarah’s house in South Boulder and ran to the South Boulder Creek Trailhead where we looped up to the Mesa Trail, then came back down again.  All in all, it was 7 miles of hard, hard running.  A few muscles that I thought were recovered from the Half last week threw miniature hissy-fits, and the baby bunion on my left foot let loose with another blister to announce that I need new shoes.

The hardest part about the run was the snow packed trail.  A few days ago, when temps were still in the negatives and the snow was hard and frozen, it would have been easy to run on the hard crusted snow.  But by Saturday, the temps had edged their way above freezing just enough so that previous hikers’ shoes had fallen through the crust and made prints that froze solid overnight.  We alternately fell through the crust or tried to keep from turning an ankle.

Had I been by myself I would have turned around at the top of Sarah’s street and retreated indoors to huddle with a cup of coffee and wait out the wind.  However, there were eight of us and no one wanted to be the party pooper.  We shut our mouths against the wind and concentrated on the sketchy footing.  It was slow going; we clocked 14 minute miles once we reached the trailhead, going just a hair faster than a walk.  I briefly thought about bringing my YakTrax before I left the house this morning, then decided against it (God only knows why, I sure don’t).  One intelligent lady in our group brought hers and had a MUCH easier time on the snow than the rest of us.

The snow packed trail was a mixed blessing; it prevented us from running easily, and it kept our group solidly together.  Usually, after about 30 minutes, we’re spread over a few miles once the paces get sorted out.  This time, no one could move faster than a crawl due to the conditions, and it was nice to see our little band of women stick together.  I got to talk to people that I usually only talk with at coffee afterwards, and I got a warm fuzzy feeling about the sense of community this group of women has fostered over the years.

Speaking of community, our group is loosely deciding on a few races next year.  They’re being picked for the timing, the “fun factor”, the location, or the “family friendly” destination.  Do you have any thoughts on these races, or want to suggest one for us?

1. Aspen Goldenleaf Half Marathon
2. Imogene Pass Run
3. Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half Marathon

I’m considering a few for myself as well, to keep me in practice and give me something to look forward to (in very random order).

1. RnR Denver Half Marathon
2. Mother’s Day Title 9K
3. Boulder Spring Half Marathon
4. Earth Day 5K
5. PPRC Winter Series 10K
6. Tortoise & Hare – 10M
7. Summer Roundup Trail Run 12K
8. Eldora 10K Trail Run

 With all these great runs in the area, there’s no reason why I can’t keep 2010 fresh and lively with a few great races.  The one thing I want to look for are a few races that are charity-oriented.  How about you?  Anything specific you’re looking forward to?