First Snow, Truck Love and Christmas 10K week! Week of 12-9 to 12-15

I'd like to start by stating that I LOVE MY NEW TRUCK!!!  It's pretty awesome to have a new ride with cool new features, and I was able to sell my Xterra within a couple of days through Peddle.com.  They contracted a local tow service to come to the house, load it up and take it away, and handed me a check on the spot.  Sweet!

This weekend is the Christmas 10K in Newport, and interestingly enough, looks to be paired with a possible Nor'easter???  At least it won't be as cold as the Mews race...right?

Monday, 12-9 - 0 Miles - 1 hour karate.

Tuesday, 12-10 - 0 Miles - First snow of the season.  I wanted to get out and run in it, but I had to wait for the tow guy to come and get the Xterra, and by the time he left it was too late.  No worries though, he gave me a check for $1000!

Wednesday, 12-11 - 7+ Miles (Trail) - Pachaug run with Woolley at Mt. Misery.  As there was no wind to speak of, and the temps hadn't gotten above freezing since the snow,  Pachaug was a winter wonderland.  Just incredible, and we both neglected to bring our cameras, dammit!  Let's just say the view from the top of Mt. Misery was nothing short of spectacular.  After we passed the summit, we did encounter one lone hunter on the Nehantic trail.  I so rarely see them, and they're never happy to see runners, so we quietly exchanged hellos and went on our respective ways...good conversational pace, I also got to use my YakTrax for the first time this season, they're so necessary this time of year.  I told Woolley where he could get some, he's in need of winter gear for sure!




Thursday, 12-12 - 6 Miles (Trail) - Pachaug/Tippecansett Trails with Mike B. - Nice to have back-to-back trail runs in the snow!  Sunny skies and chilly, but once Mike and I got into the woods, the trees cut the breeze down to nothing and it was fine.  I love this section of trail: hilly, super technical in spots and runnable in others, and very easy to get to.  Mike loved it, and because it hasn't been above freezing for a few days, the snow was still on the trees, which meant lots of ducking under and around snow-laden branches, but it's incredible out there right now.  See my crappy pictures below, although they really don't do it justice...

One of many stream crossings today

Mike on a narrow trail passage

Winter magic...

Friday-Sunday - 0 Miles - Wasn't able to make the Newport 10K due to family obligations, but had a great day with my girls instead!  All good though, our WTAC teams killed it over there!!!  1st and 2nd place men's teams, and 1st place women's team, excellent work!