Spring trails -- Sat. April 4

A whole week off again, partly busy and partly sick. But out with determination today, aiming for a slow trail run. A bit chilly and damp, so went out with hat and gloves, and just two layers on top. Showery rain begins as soon as I get away from home. . . Start off on Hamilton, then Bay to Allen and up over 9 to the trail/old road that goes left heading in the woods off towards Holland Glen. Chug up that hill, feeling the strain a bit on my ankles on the rocky surface -- but nice to be on the trail road. Follow it all the way, down the steep descent to where it comes out by the little houses, but they've blocked off their driveways so no (easy) access to the road. Double back and discover (thanks to lack of undergrowth) the continuation of the trail road, which starts to be marked by blue blazes and heads back uphill, becoming a stream bed, more or less. Trails peters out just as I catch ear of the stream in Holland Glen, so transition to the white balzed trail and loop round at the end and down the other side. Come out on 9 and cross straight over, then trail through to Cheryl Circle and along eventually out to Federal. Then road all the way home:

Time: 1:16:30
Distance: 9.06 miles
Pace/Speed: 8:27s/7.1 mph

Comment: nice to be trail-running again, and despite constant showers, quite a nice day for it. Gentle pace, and slower even than that because of rough going. Pacier run tomorrow in the Hebert race.