As I headed out into falling snow and onto snowy roads at 6 AM this morning, I fully expected to have to contrive a 20+ mile run. My favorite long run course, and my Boston Simulator course, takes me into a neighboring town, where they do not believe in the use of salt. Even in my town, where they put down plenty of the stuff, the roads were slick and sloppy. But I was determined to put in 21+ miles even if it meant running back and forth 10 times on a one mile stretch of clean road. As I approached the town line at about mile 4.5, I turned onto an as yet unplowed dirt road that parallels the paved road. The traction was pretty good. I was wearing my Wave Riders with the sheet metal screws. Shortly thereafter the first snowplow went by. He rolled down his window and waved and I waved back and moved onto the paved side of the road for even better traction. We crossed paths a number of other times as I headed out and back.

My pace was in the mid 7:40s. Not bad given the slippery conditions and some harsh wind on the way back when I was coming back up the hills. I never felt like I was pushing it and my HR stayed in the low 150's -- comfortable territory.

My quads and ankle are fine, although I did notice occasional knee pain, something to be expected when running on slick surfaces. My right ITB is sore when I stretch my hams but otherwise feels fine.

Victor

Cross-training: 0.0 miles
Running: 22.0 miles
Shoes: n/a
WTD running: 51.5 miles
WTD total: 68.5 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 12:25 PM