Powertrail foray -- Fri. Dec. 24

Heading out to D'mar in the pm, but determined to get a run in, and aiming for double digits using the powerline trail I started on the other day. So, around 10 out via geoHannum to a stretch at the waterplant--a bit chilly, and slow to warm up, but feeling mainly okay (in shorts, but all layers on top). On to Boardman, then Rural and out to Stebbins; cross and enter the powerline trail. Sure enough the big water section is frozen enough to walk over, and continue up along; progress fine on rough and some v. steep terrain, then trail goes into woods so I have to go through bushes a bit under powerline (choose brambles over wet feet). Then more boggy bits and eventually I choose to follow parallel trail a bit to skirt the water, making sure to avoid turns away. However, just after startling a small flock of turkeys up in to the trees, discover a house ahead and the power lines not in sight. Ouf. As I jog up, the owner looks at me quizzically, and I announce I'm lost. Turns out I was at what used to be Wingate farm; chap said I should go down his drive (which I'd approached from the house end, not the road) across "the brook" and go left before his barn, then follow trail back to power lines. I did, and after that it was fine as far as Bay road, with some spectacular height and views just before the road. Then back along Bay, to Old Bay, then Bay again up the hill and go right on to Hamilton to return that way, staying steady, ending up thus:

Time: 1:26:13
Distance: 10.66 miles
Pace: 8:05s

Comment: this was, as ever with powerline trails, quite a workout, though I didn't pay any attention to speed, and had to stop a few times for directions and picking a way through things. Even on the road, just running easy; slight head cold has really taken the edge of things for me right now, but hopefully in a week or two I'll be over that.