Training Run - Bison Ridge, South Park, PA... and updates...

Yes, that's ice all over my head.
From sweat!

So I've been logging about 20 miles per week running since the start of January, which I'm pretty happy with. Regretfully, my body still isn't yet to the point where it "likes" running. My right shin and calf have hurt since I got a bright idea to run barefoot on my treadmill for two miles around Christmas, and my left knee still has recurring IT band pain after it started in November 2013 - despite all kinds of ice, rolling, and strength training.

This fine morning it was -7 degrees out. I dressed very adequately, layering two socks (regular runners and light wool), CEP calf sleeves, tights, hunter's long johns, nylon pants, three tech shirts, a dickey, a zip-up hoodie, a windbreaker, tight-fitting jersey gloves, a UA skull cap and a double lined yellow hat.  Shoes were Salomon Speedcross 3. I carried my phone in a small Fuel Belt underneath the outer two layers.

So I ended up doing five miles in about an hour. It was slow going in the snow, and I had to stop a few times to clear the ice off my glasses because I couldn't see. Otherwise, my body was fairly happy except for my left IT which acted up more and more, through the little slips and twists of snow impacts. That said, my footing was pretty good because Bison Ridge is a rather technical and unsteady course. There are a few stretches of somewhat flat and runnable terrain, all of which I did just that on. I intended to do 15 miles (two laps) but after an hour's time my knee was in some pain, and had simply built up too much ice on my head and body. All this having been said, it was a very fun experience and I can't wait to do it again (with contacts, ski mask, and goggles)!