Sunday - 7.5 miles shod. Wanted it to be a run, but impossible. Started off at a ski resort on a snowmobile track (elevation 9,800 ft). Not too bad, but the vertical climb and altitude force hiking. The next section of the trail was a summer road to the peak (11,307 ft) only had 2 snowmobile tracks on it. Firm in spots, but then post holing to my shins in others. Very slow jogging with the unpredictable footing. Kids called when I was nearing the peak wanting to know what was taking so long, they were anxious to go skiing. Topped out on the peak (it's a nice spot when the wind isn't blowing, great views) and picked a different route down. It was dry on the exposed ridge but then back to the soft snow. Only ended up on my face twice. Got back to the pavement and felt the road with my hand -warm, maybe should have done a barefoot run instead. Back to the packed snowmobile track to the starting point. 2.5 hours, no speed award today! Downhill skiing with my daughter the rest of the day.
Monday - back to my cold valley home. Colder than the mountains in these winter inversions. 1 hour of xc skiing in 5 degree temps.
Tuesday - finally some barefoot miles - 17, my longest of the year. A win win as it was also a shopping day. I get a run in and my wife does the bulk of the shopping. She likes it better when I'm not in the stores rushing her. Left home and the 15 deg temp behind for the warmer south. 30 minutes away the temp is 50 and I'm in short sleeves, shorts, and bare feet. First 12 miles were great, through Snow Canyon State Park and then on a nice bike path. Then conditions got rough as I made my way through an industrial area to meet my wife at the shopping center. Rough pavement, gravel chips, traffic and fumes, stares at the intersections, and enjoying every minute of it. Unfortunately the running ended and yet another 5 hours of shopping! Next time I stay on the bike paths and run longer.
