Thursday’s 5-mile lumber in 10˚ temps had me feeling pretty logy last night, but I was up and ready for another 5 miles today and the chance to hit my 25-mile weekly lumbering goal.
Thank goodness it was going to be warmer today. Well, by 4˚.
For the next few weeks, the sunrise keeps getting later and later, and while I have a good handlamp that allows me to go whenever I want, darkness, 14˚ temps, with light snow on the ground, is the perfect excuse for one more cup of coffee, three more dumps, and a schmear of A+D before layering up and heading out.
As I approached the stop sign at the end of the dirt road shortcut, I take to the trails, the sun was just starting to make an appearance behind an old barn to the east. So, I rolled down the window and took a few snaps in hopes of an OK pic. I think I got OK.
It’s not great, but it definitely captures the moment. Had I not been too lazy to get out of the car, I’m sure I could have got a better composition, but I’ll take OK on a cold morning.
A minute later, I was a the park and ready to lumber.
I was surprised to see the two $80,000 SUVs belonging to the Friday Chatty Cathy’s I see every so often (and only on Friday) in the snowy lot. Their chat can not be stopped by mere cold!!!! Linda HAS to know who Bryce has a crush on and what Crayson said about Aubrey. Good for them, gettin’ out there! Somebody must have treated themselves to a new winter jacket she got at the outlet mall downstate last weekend. Thankfully, I missed another opportunity to say good morning to them and be ignored as they practically scream at each other while waking a foot apart. “RRRRRRRIGHT?”
OK, OK, enough of my low-brow trail snobbery being a dick for no reason.
After being a bit overheated yesterday and the temps FOUR degrees warmer, I made the wise choice to go a little lighter on my layering. I also picked up a $10 neck gaiter while running errands yesterday, and that proved to be way more comfortable and effective at regulating the temperature of my bloated face than the balaclava.
I hammered out a peaceful 5.33 miles, took a few pics, and was happy to have met my goal for the week.
When I got to Escape II, the Chatty Mobiles were gone, and Jim(?) and Marry(?) were just leaving and gave me a wave. They must not have been out for too long, but it was nice to know at their age, they were still out there doing their thing and flipping Old Man Winter, the bird.
I’m looking forward to a warmer weekend (by more than 4˚) and lots of slack.
Later.