After last Saturday night’s snowstorm and the forecasted SUN! and bitterly low temps, I knew I would have to adjust the lengths and expectations from the coming week’s hikes.
Several inches of snow meant snowshoes would be a must, which also meant working my ass off just to get 20-minute miles in, which is a tad slower than my normal 16-ish minute miles in normal to wet conditions with photo breaks.
The Deerfield groomer (whom I’ve not seen in my 12 years of living in these parts of mid-Michigan) was just starting to lay XC tracks as I finished on Tuesday, which meant that the sides of the trails would, in theory, be firmer the next day. And they were better on Wednesday, but it was still a slog that often had me ditching my hat and gloves, even though the temps were in the low teens.
There’s also been some additional muscle soreness to deal with; you would think after hiking over 475 miles since September, my leg muscles1 would have adapted to almost every situation, but there is something about the additional stability needed from snowshoeing, especially when breaking trail, that leaves me hobbling around during my late night trips to the bathroom.
Having said that, on Thursday morning’s hike, I used an older pair of hiking boots rather than my waterproof hiking shoes, which made a huge difference in foot stability. I should have known better, but I was too spooked to deviate after dealing with blisters from a shoe switch in early January. Live, learn, or perish.
Campground snow table.
I was also hoping to top the 500-mile mark this week, but based on the meager but taxing 3 to 4-mile stomps I’ve done so far, I probably won’t crest 500 miles until sometime next week. That will still have me averaging more than 100 miles a month, but I just don’t think I can get it done this week.
So much green! Post-hike pesto with a few olives.
Even with the snow, low temps, the additional energy needed, and late-night muscle soreness, I’m infinitely happier “doing stuff” outside rather than in the House of Body Dysmorphia known as the gym. I only wish I was as good at reframing my “normal” negative thoughts and expectations as I am during outdoor activities!
Later.