The Long Run I Almost Skipped

I was seriously dragging ass this morning.  My alarm went off and I kept hitting snooze.  I knew it had snowed all night so I kept telling myself "Maybe you could just do it on the treadmill instead!"  Of course, I knew that was never gonna happen.

Finally, after getting up with the girls and lazing through breakfast...I figured I should just get it done.

After all - I never regret having DONE a run but I would always regret skipping it.

So, I got on my running gear and started the car.   I stopped to buy supplies for a little craft project (more on that Monday) on the way to Glenmore.   I parked next to Starbucks so I could get a coffee after and then zoom home.  And then I hit the paths.

Sure, it was snowy.  The paths were coated in white and I was really grateful to have pulled on my trail shoes.

Off I headed to the north with the wind in my face.  I figured 5K out, 5k back and I'd be done.  My plan was to run within the pace guidelines of my training schedule which were 7:19-8:12/k.  It was only around -4 but the wind made it feel slightly colder.  Still - it was bearable and almost refreshing to run in.  I never felt like I was freezing and, as you can see - I was dressed fairly normally for this run:

When I got to the turn off to the dam, I turned right and headed out over the dam walkway.

The beautiful Elbow River Valley - love the snowflake trapped on my glasses

Then at River Park, I turned toward a path I'd never taken before.   And discovered a hill that might rival the one into and out of the Weaselhead. This one goes down into a nice picnic area along the Elbow River.  Fun to run down...not so fun to run back up. I'm not embarrassed to admit I walked up it.  I tried to get a pic of it on the way back but this was all I got before my phone battery died:

I am so bringing my girls here next summer

The curve at the top is just the beginning...

It doesn't look daunting there, but trust me - it curves and snakes it's way up. and up. and up.

Then, with the wind at my back, I finished the last 4.5K and the run was done.   I think I'd like to go further down that new path and explore on a longer run sometime.  Good thing I have a few of those coming up!

I'm so glad I actually did it.  Like I said - I never regret a run I did :)

Actual little sign in my house...

And the run geekery: