2/1/2012 Epic frolic!

Once again, Scout and I had no idea what the footing would be like on the Scoutland Trails. In our respective screw shoes and Micropsikes, we set out at the standard Insomniac Running Society time of 9pm in a light fog and a 32 degree temp.

I won't write too much (maybe) because you really had to be there. The mist lifted for while and a half moon and stars and clouds were beautiful. A mysterious orange glow toward the east (Lewiston? Aliens?) prompted some wonder and ethical concern (if it's smog, can I still think it's pretty?)...but it was really unique. And pretty.

The footing was not bad, but for much of the way it was rather uneven. Footfalls landed at all angles so knees and ankles felt it a bit. There were several minor Scout vs. ice moments but once again, the Microspikes held me in complete immunity to any hint of slippage.

Winter trail running may not work all the time, and it isn't easy, but the point that I am learning this season is that is is totally do-able.

I began to noticeably struggle partway through the adventure, feeling a combination exhaustion from not sleeping enough recently and also the residue of the sweet hill insanity from earlier in the week. The exhaustion thing was tricky, but the post-hill-legs were a great feeling. The time seemed to go by pretty quickly but sometime after about two hours, we both agreed that we should have brought some water!

Topics of the day included garden gnome stories, alien abductions, Trail Monster retro-gossip ("did you read so-and-so's report about such-and-such hundred miler???"), and my personal favorite, fancy llama drive-bys. Awesomesauce.

~time - check back
~10.38 miles
~33 degrees, cloudy then clear then foggy
~MicroSpikes, Brooks Cascadia 6, SmartWool socks, pants, polypro shirt, longsleeve shirt, goretex shell, thin knit hat, light gloves (carried). Thought I might be overdressed but was fine.