A morning run on Struble (trail covered in snow)

I was disappointed that I ran this past Saturday while it snowed and I didn't have any pictures to show for it.  Well, last night we got some snow.  After dropping the kids off at daycare, I decided to take a little trip over to Struble Trail and do a run for 30 minutes or so (and this time I brought my camera).  The trail was obviously not plowed, so I was literally running in probably about 4 inches of snow or so.  Nobody was on the trail except me.  Absolutely beautiful.  Below are some pics:

Athlete's Closet Winter Series (2 of 4) - 5k

This race was supposed to be yesterday, but was postponed by the snow until today.  I was not signed up for it, since I was participating in the 5 mile run on Struble Trail.  However, Niki and Uncle Phil were signed up for it.  Because the race was postponed, the two of them were unable to run it today.  Niki informed me of this last night, and inquired if I would take her spot, and if I knew anybody who wanted Phil's spot.  Well, sure enough, within 2 minutes of that I had contacted Chris Felix, and it was a done deal. (so, I ran as Nicole Bugey, and Chris ran as Phil Difrancesco.

so, Chris and I met over at the Athlete's Closet for a 9:30am 5k run in West Chester (off of 5 Points Road). 
It was chilly, but the roads had been plowed so just a few slick spots.

Some pics from the start

Here is a pic of the actual starting line (just cracks me up)

and a picture of Chris Felix disguised as Phil DiFrancesco

and we are off...
the course weaves through a neighborhood like a serpentine.  Lots of rolling hills.  Good thing was though there were not a lot of cars around, so I always felt like I could run in the middle of the road

Finished it in 29:20.  Not a great time, but lot of hills, so I will take it.  All in all, I wasn't planning on doing this until about 8pm last night, so it was kind of a nice late notice surprise.  Looking forward to doing the next one in February.

Finally, Here is a nice picture of Nicole Bugey and Phil DiFrancesco.  Phil does look different, but not THAT different.  Niki on the other hand looks very different, and absolutely phenominal! 

Phil and Niki:

New Years Resolution Run - 5 mile (2 of 5) in Downingtown, PA

Woke up this fine Saturday morning with about 2 inches of snow on the ground.  Was that going to stop me from headed out to Struble Trail, of course not!  Met with Chris Felix at the start of Struble at 8:45 in the morning.  Since it was snowing, I was not sure if the run would still be on, but sure enough it was.  Had to be about 25 runners or so.  Runners had their choice of running 2.5 or 5 miles.  Myself and Mr. Felix elected to run the latter. 

Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera, but my lord was the scenery beautiful.  Running with an inch or two of snow on the ground was a little challenging.  Running with snow blowing in your face is even more challenging, but that was for only the first 1/2 of the race.  Of course at the 1/2 way point, I wiped out as I turned around.  No problem though, got right back up and starting heading back to the zero mile marker. 

Finished in 57:30, which I did not think was bad for running in the snow.  A certainly unforgettable experience running while it is actually snowing.  Hope to do it again someday. 

Next week, Mr. Felix and I will be running the Pickle Run in Ridely Creek State Park, so we will not be able to do the 3rd run (of 5) of this series.  I'm sure we will return for runs 4 and 5 the following weeks. 

Run #2 on New Years Day - 5k Stanley's Dream in West Chester, PA

Run #2

5k Stanley's Dream in West Chester, PA.  This is always held at noon on New Year's Day.  I took the boys to this one since it was about 50 degrees out.  They were very good.  I stopped and got them pretzels for the race.

Mom and Dad showed up to cheer us on.

and I got to see Andy Baxter again

This is a 2 lap course around West Chester.  First lap was a piece of cake, but that second lap was a real struggle. I ended up running it in 39:03 (with 2 kids, I can live with that).

went to Barnaby's for some post race refreshments.

So, 5 miles in the morning, followed by 3.2 miles at noon.  Good start to the new year.  Looking forward to finishing a lot more runs this year.

Run #1 on New Years Day - New Years Resolution Run - 5 mile (1 of 5) in Downingtown, PA

Did two runs today.  This was the first.   A five mile run on Struble Trail in Downingtown, PA.  This is an out and back run.  Good way to start off the new year.  This is sponsored by the Downingtown Running Club.  Race is free of charge, and it will be every week for five weeks (so this is race 1 of 5)

First person I see there was Coach Andy.  Andy was Nathan's soccer coach this past fall.  Nice to see a familiar face

Second person I see is Andy Baxter, an old friend from high school.  Andy was also ruuning the 5 mile race (cause you had your choice of 2.5 miles, or 5 miles.  Being that I am such an athletic beast, I opted for the 5 mile race. Nice to catch up with Andy

About 30 people at the start.  20 or so running 2.5 miles, 10 or so running the 5 mile run.

and we are off.   Trail is beautiful with all the snow everywhere.  There are markers every 1/4 mile, so you always know where you are. 

Hitting the 1/2 way mark, I felt pretty good.  I was in dead last place (not that that is unusual). I was very happy with the pace I was running, cause it was relaxing.  Sure enough, Coach Andy was walking towards me at the 3/4 mile mark (so I had 3/4 miles to go).  He ran with me the rest of the way in.  Andy Baxter met us at about the 1/2 mile mark, and ran with us too (this basically means that I was way behind everyone else).  As I come up on the finish, there are about 10 people there cheering me, by name.  They know my name, because there is a checklist when you finish, and my name was the only name not checked.  Good times!!!

Awesome run, can't wait to do it again next week!