Andrew Schrauben

"April showers bring May flowers" so the saying goes, but I don't think those flowers had snow in mind! Isn't this crazy? But it makes for fun running. Here's the view out our front window this evening:

I ran 7 miles on Friday at work and the time just flew by - a co-worker were having a great discussion (i.e. debate) about space exploration and the consumption of resources on the planet. Pretty heavy stuff! We were having so much fun talking that we just kept running - my co-worker Ty hadn't run that far in years.

Today was another "treadmill date" with Amanda. I kept it easy today doing a 9:00 pace, planning to go 7 miles. I felt so good at the end, however, that I kept going until 8.5 miles. I stopped then because Amanda and I had errands to run, but my legs were begging to continue.

When we got home today we played with Haven and Beacon in the backyard. I found some gigantic icicles hanging off the carport and brought them out for the pups, and boy were they excited to see me holding a couple huge "treats" over my head! They sat obediently, hoping to impress me enough to earn a reward:



One icicle was about three feet long and must've weighed ten pounds! The other was only two feet long but almost as heavy. At one point Haven ran off with the big one, clearly happy but protective of her prize:



Beacon had been content with his icicle until he spotted Haven with an even BIGGER one, and naturally he became jealous. He transformed into predator mode, crouching low and staring intently before chasing after Haven and mugging her for the goods:



Satisfied that he now has the biggest and baddest icicle, does Beacon chomp down like a vicious predator? No, he wants to savor his treat just like a kid with his popsicle at the Tastee Freez:

...days like today. After weeks of temperatures below 20 degrees, today we hit 40! It felt like spring. My legs are still very sore from playing hockey over the weekend. Actually, just my hip flexor muscles, my right one in particular - I can't raise my right knee halfway to my waist! But I wanted to go running away, so I went for an easy one.

I took both Haven and Beacon and dealt with the extreme pulling as we ran the half-mile to the North Country Trail trailhead, then I was able to let them off leash. They loved it! So did I. The wind was calm, the sun was setting, the air was warm. Warm enough that I was wearing shorts despite running through six inches of wet snow! What a blast!

A perfect run. I have to remember days like this on those other days when I don't feel like running, because being able to run with my dogs on days like today is one of the reasons why I'm a runner.

Lots of running stuff to catch up on, so I'll do it bullet-style...

• The day before Valentines Day I ran with my "second loves", my dogs. It was 14 degrees and very windy, but they loved it. Back to back, first Haven for 2.9 miles at an 8:20 pace, then Beacon for 1.4 miles at a 7:12 pace. Dogs were born to run.
• Still running outdoors with my co-workers, but some of them are wussing out on account of the weather. Monday the 12th we endured steady snow flurries that made it hard to see (snowflakes on the eyelashes) and "balmy" temps in the mid 20's, the warmest we've had in a couple weeks. Wednesday the 14th we braved 9-degree air temperature with strong north winds. Today it was 19 degrees with a howling WSW wind.
• Thursday was a double workout. At 6am I was already running on the treadmill at work doing "pops" - alternating 5 minutes of fast pace (ranging from 5:30 to 7:00 miles) with 5 minutes of slow pace (9:00 miles). Then before leaving work I hit the 'mill again, this time doing hill repeats - 2.5 minutes at incline alternating with 2.5 minutes of flat. My first incline I jacked it all the way up, which was 15% grade - holy crap, I just about fell off the back at a 10:00 pace! I barely survived that one. The rest of my inclines were at 10% grade.

My legs are rather tired now, so tomorrow will be an easy one-hour run on the treadmill with Amanda. I also signed up for my next race, another 5K on March 17.

Remember the Hoth Wampa creature from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back? It would've enjoyed the weather for today's run: -1 degree air temp, -20 windchill, roads covered in packed snow... Luckily I didn't encounter the Wampa!

Actually I didn't feel very cold - it helped that the sun was out, which caused the temp to rise all the way to +5 degrees by the end of my run. I dressed quite appropriately: screw shoes, wool running socks, heavyweight tights, long-sleeve fleece, wind jacket, thick gloves, ear warmer around my neck, ear warmer around my ears, hat, sunglasses, and most importantly a fleece scarf around my face. That scarf really saved my nose and lips when running into the wind, but it's tough to suck air through the fabric! Whenever the wind was at my back I pulled the scarf down. Screw shoes are a dream on hard-packed snow! I had very little trouble getting traction.

None of my usual co-workers dared to brave the elements with me and preferred instead to remain at Echo Base. That's OK - the Force was with me and I had a great run, somehow managing a 8:20 pace under the weight of all that gear!

On Friday it was 25 degrees, windy, snowing steadily and there was 4" of snow on the ground. I felt like having a little fun so I ran wearing shorts! The temperature wasn't all that bad but some parts of the sidewalk had snowdrifts that swallowed my bare leg halfway up to my knee... that was cold! And fun. When I finished the five miles there was un-melted snow all over my ankles and my skin was quite red, but everything still felt fine and functioned OK. Next time, though, I'll wear long pants. :)

Deep snowdrifts weren't the biggest challenge, however. That 4" of snow was composed of 2" of thick, lumpy slush underneath 2" of smooth, contour-hiding fluffy snow. It was like running through mud! I timed a mile at which I felt like I was running a 8:00 pace, but it turned out to be a 9:40 mile! That's how sapping the slush and snow was. I was wearing my screw shoes and they provided me a significant advantage over my non-studded co-workers as my feet didn't slide as much when pushing off.

Today I ran an easy eight miles and felt stronger and stronger as the run progressed. It was cold (about 20 degrees) but the roads were mostly dry so it was a welcome relief from the trail-like conditions on Friday.

As usual I went for my weekly long run today. This time it was only 11.6 miles; however, all but three of those miles were on the North Country Trail. Making things more interesting was the 25-degree temps and 4" of fresh snow on the ground! I was properly dressed (note the photo Amanda took before I left) and carrying more than enough food and water, and even an extra jacket. My pack wound up being very heavy.



For some reason I started out very slowly - maybe the heavy pack, maybe I hadn't eaten much (I left at noon yet Amanda and I were planning to eat lunch after I got home). So I was slow. Then I hit the trails and it's amazing how much snow can slow you down. I knew I would lose some efficiency due to less traction, but simply plowing my feet through the snow really adds a lot of drag!

Believe it or not I wasn't making the only set of tracks in the woods. I saw fresh footprints on most of the trail and judging by the track, it was a 6-foot guy running! And probably running faster than me. Sure enough about 45 minutes into the run I crossed paths with that guy, who had just turned around to head back. Not me. I saw the spot where he turned and kept going - I may be slow but I ran farther! Slow indeed. I frequently walked the uphill portions since my legs were quickly tiring from the extra work.

On the return leg I stopped for a few seconds at a scenic spot on the trail that overlooks the Flat River. Lo and behold I watched as a bald eagle flew just below the treetops over the river. It was hard to follow its flight since he was brown and white, as were the trees and snow through which I was looking. No other bird around here, however, has such a large wingspan and powerful wingbeat. Any other time of year I'd allow that it could've been an osprey, but they all should be far south by now.

After 2 hours and 39 minutes of running I finally made it back home. During my entire run Amanda went for a ride of her own on the stationary bike, traveling 37.5 miles in a total of two hours, plus 30 total minutes of dumbbell exercises. She started right when I left and had just finished when I returned home. Once we recovered a bit we went out to Chili's for a well-deserved dinner!

Beacon begs for me to throw another snowball.

Today was the first snowfall of the year! It was pretty late in arriving this year since usually we've had some snow around here before the end of October. There's never been a "first snowfall" in which I haven't thrown at least one snowball. It must be a tradition.

This year Haven and Beacon were the recipients of said tradition. We turned on the backyard floodlights and threw snowballs for them to chase, a game that they absolutely love! Albeit for different reasons: Haven loves the *chase* aspect and prefers that I zing the snowballs along the ground so she can run them down like a rabbit; Beacon, on the other hand, loves the "kill" aspect and simply wants to catch the snowball in midair or pounce on it if it's on the ground.

After about 20 minutes of "chase" and "kill" the dogs were completely worn out. Now they're sleeping soundly between Amanda and I in the computer room.


Beacon (L) and Haven (R) are all tuckered out.