HMRRC Winter Series #1 – 15K

We got a boatload of snow this weekend. But that didn’t stop our local running club from holding the first of the Winter Series!

I sat around all day Saturday. Friday was the last of my finals and the last day of the semester so I was relaxing! I also knew I didn’t want to run another 10 miles on the treadmill this weekend. So the 12 inches of snow were a problem. Sidewalks were not clear, so running around here was a no-go. I decided to dig my car out and drive over to SUNY Albany for the race. It was said the roads would be clear for runners, so I decided to head over and run the 15K.

Yes, we runners are a crazy bunch. I immediately noticed that most of the runners were..well..fast people. So I had a thought that I may just be the last person coming in. But, I didn’t care. I wanted to run!

The areas around the SUNY Campus that we run during the race was covered in snow, and this made for some interesting running terrain. I wore my trail shoes to have some more stable footing and gripping, and I think they helped for these parts. For the first four miles or so my left calf was cramped and burning, I think because I was running in the snow. (It was like running on loose sand). Finally when we got out to the main road of the State Campus it was just wet, which  made running a lot easier!

We had people directing “traffic”, water stops, and clear roads to run on. So I think this was a pretty great way to get a long run in that otherwise would have been done on the treadmill. Plus, it was lightly snowing the whole time and 19 degrees. I felt pretty hardcore for being out there when I could have easily bailed and stayed wrapped in blankets in my warm apartment!

There were times during the race when my feet started to blister from getting wet and I wanted to quit, but then I’d see the snow covered trees and think, where else would I rather be? Nowhere but outside, running.

I finished just under a 10 minute mile average pace, which I expected due to the conditions: 9.45 miles in 1:34:04. The finish line was so snowy I thought I’d slide right through! (And no, I wasn’t last!)

Lets hope the Hangover Half has better conditions!

What I wore for ~20 degrees, wet snowy conditions, no wind:

Fleece running tights
Tank top
Long sleeve half zip
Zip up jacket
Fleece ear warmer
Gloves
Smartwool socks
Trail running shoes

I was toasty and never got too hot.