Run: 10.5 miles in 1:24:21 min. @ 8:45 a.m.

Weather: Cloudy, 32°F, 61% Humidity, Wind: From S @ 10 mph; feels like 24°F.
Course: Genesee River Trailway from the Port of Rochester at Ontario Beach Park to Maplewood Park and back (approximately 5.3 miles each way).
Pace: 8:02 min./per mile



My February Recess “reunion run,” of sorts, continued this morning as, after two cups o’ joe, and a short drive North, I ran along the Genesee River Trailway. During last summer/fall when I was training for my first 50k I took the time to find some longer run outside of my neighborhood in an effort to keep the running experience fresh… having recently found myself in a rut, I’ve decided to go back to those places that inspired me previously.

This morning’s run began at the Port of Rochester, previously home to our fast ferry. The fast ferry was a failure and, though the Port is still in operation, the beach front has yet to take off as a tourist destination even to those who live in the city. At any rate, mine was the only car in the rather expansive lot this morning as I began my run.



The weather conditions were much more favorable today as compared to yesterday. The only real challenge was the moderately strong headwind I found myself running into on my way South to the turnaround point. Dealing with it was not too bad, and I found myself motivated by the knowldeg that coming back it would be to my back.



When I first set-out this morning I had intended to put in only about seven or so miles, but found myself enjoying the run so much I tacked on a few more miles. The picture below is of the point at which I turned around and headed back to the beach.



The most beautiful potion of the trail remains unphotographed this morning. At Turning Point Park, where the trail heads over the water and through a marshy area, birds squawked and played on the ice. Listening to the sounds I was reminded (again) as to why I don’t wear an i-Pod… there is too much going on the natural world to fill my head with noise.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!