Seen on the run (March 2, 2019)

Sugar Hollow to just beyond Blackrock and back with the CAT 50k training group.

The temperature didn’t feel too bad when we started out, but that first river crossing was so cold it hurt.

Photo credit: Pete O’Shea

The trees became more and more ice-covered as we climbed to Skyline Drive.

Once we were on the AT and climbing toward Blackrock, the ice was so thick and heavy that the trees were bent over and blocking the trail.

 

We got on a forest service road that paralleled the AT, which was more passable.

The icy trees were so beautiful.

The rocks on Blackrock summit were coated with ice, which made descending the other side towards Trayfoot mountain rather treacherous. Luckily it was only for a short stretch.

Photo credit: Brian Hapeman

But the trail once again became just a bushwhack through heavy branches, so we decided to turn around a little early.

On our way back down, the ice was melting and raining down on us. Some of the bigger chunks of ice really hurt! Particularly when they hit you in the face. The fallen ice was several inches deep on the trail in some places.

We ended up a little short of our 16 mile goal, but it was a fun adventure.

Seen on the run (February 23, 2019)

Fox Mountain Loop with the CAT 50k training group.

Photo credit: David Smith

Skyline Drive is closed and all of our usual trails are sloppy with mud or flooded. It’s been a crappy, wet-weather year.

Did I tell you how grateful I am for these CAT 50k training runs?

I actually had quite a bit of fun this morning considering we ran 17 miles on roads in the freezing rain.

Photo credit: David Smith

Seen on the run (February 16, 2019)

CAT 50k training group run on the Mau Har/Three Ridges loop.

Photo credit: Amanda Blondeau

Cold hard pellets of ice rained down on us as we set out on the trail this morning. We climbed steadily and it wasn’t long before the ground was covered.

 

The temperature felt relatively comfortable until we neared the top. The wind up on the ridge was bitter and the ice-covered trail was really slippery.

 

It warmed up and got more slushy and less slick as we headed down the other side. The trail was still really rocky and technical though, so it was slow going for me.

We met several hikers and one runner headed in the other direction. More people than I would have expected  considering the weather.

It really wasn’t that bad, though. We had a nice group of runners and the views were stunning. The weather just made things a little more interesting.

I’m grateful for these CAT training group runs. They make getting out for winter long runs so much easier.

Brian came back from Detroit with another cold. So he stayed home with Molly who has an abscessed anal gland in addition to the UTI. The poor little thing has to wear a cone of shame until it heals.

 

 

Seen on the run (January 12, 2019)

We ran with the CAT’s 50K training group this morning. We were actually able to keep up with some of them!

Photo credit: David Smith

There were a few snow flurries on the way up which was nice, but it was bitterly cold up on Little Calf Mountain. I had to keep blowing out the tube in my hydration pack to keep it from freezing and I didn’t feel like lingering too long to enjoy the view.