Run: 13.6 miles in 1:44:22 min. @ 8:00 a.m.

Scheduled Workout: A good ole fashioned 12 mile run!
Weather: Cloudy and Windy, 18°F, 82% Humidity, Wind: From SW @ 8 mph; feels like 8°F.
Course: On the Erie Canal from Main Street, to Route 250 (Main Street, Fairport, to you and me) and back (approximately 6.85 miles each way).
Pace: 7:40 min./per mile

The first true long-slow-distance (LSD) run of my current training plan, an intended leisurely twelve mile run, which turned into a 13+ mile run. While the sun was shining brightly (thankfully) it was still cold out and it took the standard two miles until I could feel my fingers, but in the end there was no (again) frostbite. There is a defintie benefit to knowing my body well enough as to not be nervous when the cold is so bitter.

This morning I brought my digital camera along for the run in hopes of snapping a few pics. I attached the camera case to my hydration belt, which ironically lacked any water (uh... for hydration)! I have not run this long a distance in quite a while and made the mistake of failing to pack any gel or water... a mistake I will avoid next time.

The run began with a brief trot to the Main Street, Pittsford bridge under which the canal trail way runs:


There was grafitti on the cement supports at nearly every underpass. It's unfortuante to see this spread ever furhter out into the country:


Apparently there will be some further development aong the canal. At first glance this appeared to be simply the results of one of our wind storms this winter, but the organized cutting and length seemd to indicate to my untrained eyes otherwise:


I was suprised to see so many homemade hockey rinks on the canal. Though the waters have been lowered, I would think it might still be dangerous.


Finally, I made it to Fairport, the poitn at which I would turn around and head back to the start. I had not anticipated coming this far out, an area I am familair with as I drive my son out here to his mother's to catch the school bus most days. I felt a sense of reward at having made it so far while not feeling that exhausted and ready for the trip back.


Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day, but I will likely need to commit to following through on one of the week’s planned easy(ier) runs as I am hoping to attend a Girl’s Sectional basketball playoff game Wednesday evening which would preclude me from training.

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