Checking In

My flight arrived last night without any hitches, and I have been enjoying my weekend with friends so far. Today, I got in a 6 miler. It was chilly, about 31 degrees, but I bundled up in my cold weather running gear and I tore through it. The first mile was something to get used to, and I could certainly feel how the cold made my shoes feel stiffer, but otherwise, it felt kinda good to breathe in that sharp, dry air.

After 2 miles, I felt adequately warmed up and I could appreciate my surroundings: the snow, the crisp, sunny landscape, the bare trees that are just brushed with frost -- it was cold, but it was scenery I usually don't get, so the change of pace was nice.

Unfortunately, the road was much hillier than I usually run, but I tackled the hills with gusto, and while it was hard to maintain my pace on the ascent, it was fun working hard on the hills and then enjoying each hill's descent. Here are the splits:

1: 9:13
2: 10:10 (had to walk for a bit to take off my top layer -- I actually got pretty warm)
3: 9:30
4: 9:41
5: 9:34
6: 9:24

Total Time: 57:38

So, yeah, it felt really good to get a run like this in after such a busy, run-less week. Tonight? We bachelorette party it up, so bring on the drinks! We'll see if I feel up to another short run tomorrow before my flight departs. I'd like to, but like I said, that may depend on many factors this evening.

Hope everyone is enjoying a nice weekend!