Boston -106 -- Sun. Jan. 3

Brightening but cold, and a good layer of snow overnight (still snowing at 9 am). Only a few there at DnD: Bill, Tim (from WestSpfld), Nick, and Ken. Jay also comes by to chat. Stay wrapped up (first run in longs for weeks), though only have back up (blue) hat--this ends up being a problem... Suggest new route I'd mapped out to avoid roads, 11-12 miles, and Tim & Bill agree; Ken and Nick aim for 8. Start off on rail trail -- quite heavy underfoot, but all going slowly so Ken and I lead. *Very* cold. At Jabish canal, Nick and Ken stay going straight, but we three others go right: the canal's even narrower with ice now, and the going is quite tough (though not deep snow, just a bit slippery and cold). Bill and Tim going slowly, so I periodically slow up. Exit on to Bardwell after 4 miles, and it feels like they were uphill! The road is surprisingly good going, not slippery: follow Bardwell all the way to the junction with Michael Sears, then left and back up to 181, still me leading and slowing up periodically (but pace is quite slow). Along 181 to the rail trail then just 4 miles to go. Harder work again, and the slight uphill grade adds to that, but just keep slogging away; serious whiteout w/ blown snow at one point! At the underpass Bill pauses, says he's feeling bushed, but okay to go on; I'm very cold at this point from the inadequate hat and constant wind, so decide just to plug on to the end, change hats, and then check back for them. Here's the stats:

Time: 1:41:34
Distance: 11.99 miles
Pace: 8:28s

Comment: this was a *solid* workout, though without any fast stuff. Tired afterwards, but felt pretty good. Bill said he'd pursued over the last two miles, but hadn't made up any ground--it was that tough (and he'd probably run 20 miles the day before). Good start to the week, and I feel that I'm back into proper training. Had a glorious DnD hot chocolate w/ whipped cream after - mmmmm.