Day 357: Mon Aug 4th - Missing the snow

Day Three Hundred Fifty-seven -Missing the snow

Call me crazy, but today, running in the somewhat cooler (and humid) morning, I thought about running in the snow.  I thought of holly berries and icicles. Lights and the smell of an impending snow storm.
Quiet roads and sleepy fireplaces.
I came across this beautiful tree, with it's bright red bell type berries and for a minute....
I missed the snow.

Day 211: Tues March 11th -

Day Two Hundred-eleven - What a difference a day makes. 


Look at what a difference a day makes!




Yesterday morning at this time, the weather was windy and warm. 24 hours later I was running in snow, sleet and 34 degrees again.




I didn't mind however.




The past few weeks have been on the mild side, so the snowy morning and brisk temperatures made for a nice change.

Day 174, 175 & 176: Feb 4th - Didn't see the ditch through the snow...ouch

Day 174, 175 & 176 - Didn't see the ditch through the snow. 

Beautiful morning.

Lightly twisted my ankle falling a few inches lower than I anticipated.. my foot landing in a ditch. ouch!

I didn't take a photo today. I stayed on the roads due to the new snow that fell last night and time limits, but frankly didn't see anything super interesting to stop and take a photo of.  Stopping requires taking off my gloves, getting my phone out of my spibelt without it falling into the snow, making sure Jax doesn't pull on my arm mid-shot (which has on several occasions led to a frozen phone) and snapping something. However, with only more white frozen stuff to take a photo of, it just wasn't worth the effort this morning.

Perhaps I should have taken a photo of the ditch my left foot landed in, had I not been cursing limping forward for several minutes afterwards. That might have been more interesting than more snowy road photos. ha ha.

However, snowy trails are a different kind of beauty :)

The following photos are from my beautiful run yesterday (Monday).  

Still a multitude of white scenes around, but oh so pretty and peaceful. 

I let Jax off leash in a couple areas so he is able to run around bat shit crazy, pee and sniff on everything.  I think this makes him a happy dog. 

and he's off again.. nice view Jax.

Jax is actually sitting still for a photo on take one... rare

Beware of Troll

Day 145: Sat Jan 6th - Surprise Snow

Day One Hundred Forty-five:

Surprise Snow

Thought it would only dust the valley.... nope!  Had to shovel the property... then ran after work.
At least the air is clearing :)

*** this post is very late.... been very busy and life chaos. :)

Day 130: Fri Dec 20th - Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow and more Snow

Day One Hundred Thirty:  
Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow, snow, snow.

Another quick run. Only a couple miles today as the roads were challenging. My ankles were wobbling in the pressed snow that would give under my feet slightly, making the roadway unstable. It was like running in frozen slushy hard packed thick sand. So after a couple miles, I decided to call it a day.

It was pretty outside however, and not overly cold. The roads were empty for the most part, perhaps people decided to chill out at home today or go into work late.

Good news!  The air is clean and clear! Love it!

Day 116: Fri Dec 6th - 11 Commandments

Day One Hundred-sixteen:   

 

 

11 Commandments (for Celeste) 

Running on Ice and Frozen Mornings



 

 



1.   Thou shalt not take thy Lords name in vain or use obscene profanity (OUT LOUD) when you venture outside in 7 degree weather. Especially in front of your neighbors. 

2.  Thou shall tie thy shoes:  Please make sure your shoes are tied well and not just pulled on and loose.  Oh and for Christ's sake... wear warm running socks and not those flimsy things that are cute, fluorescent with St. Patricks Day designs. Unless you like endless frozen toes.

3.  Thou shalt not leave your scarf at home...... again. This, my dear Celeste, is helpful to bind around your face / neck as needed. You may want to invest in a ski mask to help your face from freezing off. Scratch that. You run the risk of looking like a feeling criminal.So just use the scarf and continue wearing your hat. Don't worry, the numbness on your face will wear off.

4.  Thou shalt not fall, slip or trip. Stay on the crunchy road, but not the large chunks of plowed snow boulders on the side of the road  - with their jagged peaks and deep crevices - unless you'd like a good ankle sprain. Stay on parts of the road that were previously flattened  by trucks with good treads and that are now frozen stiff. This will provide decent traction and is much less slippery than the slushy, salty areas and it sounds pretty cool to run on.


5.  Thou shalt not trust shiny blacktop roads. STAY CLEAR! 
The devil put them there. 
<-----------------------------------------------------------------


6. Thou shall run on Sunday (and everyday) regardless of cold.  This is your church I giveth to you.


7. Thou shalt not envision a mishap to befall those who drive past you as fast as possible, spraying you with fine particles of ice and snow, despite the fact that you are hugging the edge of the street to give them plenty of clearance.  Bastards!


8. Thou shalt not accidently pitch yourself off the trail head cliff by going too fast or slipping. -------------->
BE CAREFUL!
                                                 I'm not ready for you here.



9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors warm house as you shiver running by.  Ignore the smell of the fireplace and the warm glow of lights. Damned be to those who cook bacon the moment you are passing by, that is just cruel.


10. Thou shalt not shower in HOT water while you are defrosting.
It will sting.

11. Thou shalt not complain when you get up and do it all again tomorrow. It was your idea. Dummy.

Day 115: Thurs Dec 5th - "It's a marshmallow world..."

Day One Hundred-fifteen:    "It's a marshmallow world..." 

As silly as it may sound, listening to Dean Martin Christmas album on my mp3 while running in 9 degree temperatures, helps me forgot how bitter cold it is.  I find it impossible to be in a bad mood listening to him sing Marshmellow World.  It lightens my (careful) footfalls across the frozen ice and snow carpeting the roads and feels like dancing.

I can't resist branching off and sinking again in the snow path above the usual rocky trail, it's so pretty and peaceful.  No cars, no people.... just me, the snow, footprints of numerous animals who live in this little forest hideaway scurrying about and Marshmellow World. 

I challenge you.

Try listening to this song and not feel happy

      (or crave some sort of warming cocktail). 

 Happy frosty holidays :)

Day 114: Wed Dec 4th - Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Day One Hundred-fourteen:

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Pretty, icy and cold.  It was 11 degrees (according to my phone app) this morning. 
Running is a funny thing. It's somewhat like a box of unmarked chocolates that you eat a piece from each morning....you don't know exactly what you're gonna get.
I never know when I am going to feel like a warrior or when I am going to feel like a weenie.
I'm happy to report that today was a warrior kind of morning. I ran by myself, making Jax stay home as there were too many sharp ice fragments on the road along with loads of salt. Running by myself was a nice change however. I received a few funny looks from people scraping ice and snow off their cars, or driving to work. A couple waved and smiled.  The trail, which had disappeared into a sea of white fluff, was like running through frozen snow quicksand, but it worked my butt off even harder than normal and that felt great!   Stay warm!

Day 113: Tues Dec 3rd - "Oh the weather outside is frightful..."

Day One Hundred-thirteen -

"Oh the weather outside is frightful...."

 

 

Beautiful run, but a bit on the chilly side. ;)   

Jax was psyched!  I let him take off on the trail and he pranced and jumped around in the snow like a puppy seeing it for the first time. Sprinting ahead, burying his nose in the fresh snow, shaking off his fur, sliding around the icy spots and sprinting ahead once again. So fun!  I love fresh snow.  Not only is it peaceful and pretty to look at, fresh snow has good traction to run on.  Certainly a lot less slippery than the slush, ice or parts on the road.  Though I might need to waterproof my shoes... they were soaked by the time we made it back home. I wonder if they make Ugg running shoes??!  They should!  

 

 

Jax looking down the trail. I wonder what he is thinking?  



Day 112: Mon Dec 2nd - Calm Before the Storm

Day One Hundred-twelve:          Calm Before the Storm.

Great run, calm mild morning. Change is coming soon (eeek!) We have a "major winter storm" approaching (according to The Weather Channel, national and local news programs).  Winter Storm Cleon is on it's way! This time tomorrow will 'potentially' result in a bitter cold and snow, lot's of snow. By the way, as much as I love weather and storms, I find it somewhat silly to name a snow storm. Just sayin'.
On one hand I look forward to the snow, change of season...... on the other... not so much. I've quite enjoyed the cool (but not too cold) temperatures while not having to worry about ice / slush and snow.  But regardless how much I resist, the weather is changing. So I will change my mindset and just "do snow".  In preparation I am washing my cold weather running gear in anticipation for tomorrow morning. And by 'winter running gear', what I mean is:  a pair of black thermal pants I wear over my shorts,  my long sleeve tech shirts which I double up on if needed, an old fleece vest,  thin gloves and fleece hat. It works. 
Not stylish, but it keeps me warm...kind of.             Bring on the snow! 

On another note. This sweet Christmas tree -------------------------------------------->
is mid-way on the trail. For the past few years (and possibly longer) a person (or family) has hiked down, skipped up the hill side opposite the trail and lovingly decorated this tree with ornaments, personalized notes and even with battery operated lights for night time. 
The first year I saw this tree it had a beloved pet stocking in the middle with a name on it (I forget the name but at the time I took a photo). Ever since that first time I saw it, I have pictured someone decorating that tree in their best friends memory.  Perhaps a beloved pet dog who used to hike with them through that very forest.  I can sense the love they must have for him/her, the memories they recall while hanging each streamer and bulb and how much they must miss them. Regardless of the real story behind this tree....  it brings a (somewhat sad) smile to my face and reminds me that our own furry best friends are here for such a short time and we must love and care for them as they undoubtedly and unconditionally love and care for us. Because if their loved pet was anything like our dog Jax, he has shown us nothing but joy, no matter our own moodiness.  He is always there to greet the day with his large butt / tail wag, enthusiasm for the moment and his pure love for his human family.... oh and his love (obsession) for food...., but that is another post. 

Day 101: Thurs Nov 21st - Holy Batman it's Cold!

Day One Hundred-One: Holy Batman it's cold!

Property of the county water company.
I have no idea what it used to be.

I don't know Batman, nor if he's holy, but I do know that it was pretty cold this morning running in sleet / rain / snow with only shorts, long sleeve tech shirt and (luckily) a pair of gloves I found.
It had been so mild lately that I failed to really check the weather, which is unusual for me, being the self-proclaimed weather nerd that I am.
My hair has also seen better days pre the 100 days before I started on this adventure. Now it's all about getting up early, getting kids ready, getting out the door, making the most of every minute out on my run and getting back just in time to shower, throw on work clothes, mango/kale smoothie and out the door with my still wet hair up in a ponytail.  In fact, when I actually styled my hair for the funeral this past weekend, I was stunned to see how much longer it had grown.  I almost didn't recognize myself.

Day 94: Thurs Nov 14th - Lasy days of Autumn

Day Ninety-four:   Last days of Autumn, Winter is on it's way!

This has been a beautiful and long-ish Autumn.  Snow storm on the horizon. They say it will be here Saturday through Sunday with possible lake effect snow. 
Gone will be the 60 degree days that I have enjoyed tremendously.

Busy weekend planned with family, Grandmothers funeral and hanging out with Dad.

Grandmothers beautiful smile.
We will miss you.

Day 85: Tues Nov 5th - Snowy Cold

Day Eighty-five: Snowy cold and new phone app.

 

It is definitely November. Snowy and cold this morning. Though the sidewalks were quite slippery, the road had good traction. The trail was nice as the snow lightly covered over the usual rocky terrain and added a softness to each footfall.  Jax loved it.  I had to keep reminding him to slow down. I think he wanted to sprint off and play in the snowy goodness of the new season.

 

I downloaded a new phone photo app I wanted to try out... hence the new fun type picture.

I think it came out quite nicely.

 

Day 83: Sun Nov 3rd - Fall Back in the Fall

Pure Happiness

Day Eighty-three: Fall back in the fall. 

Extra hour in the fall is nice. 
Slept in a bit then went running as a family at the large dog park / river trail. 
Jax and Izzy loved playing in the first snow fall of the season. It was beautiful.  Even in snow boots (which she insisted on wearing), Izzy kept up a good pace.