ORRRC Week 8: SO COLD

Wednesday's sky

Happy Monday! I'm back with the Weekly Review linkup from Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin. I'm training for about a dozen races, but my goal is a half on April 9. You can see my schedule here. 

Week of January 2–8
Monday: 6.5 miles
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: rest + walk to work
Friday: rest + walk to work
Saturday: 4 miles
Sunday: Rocks and Roots Trail 10k

Total (running) miles: 20 miles
Elevation gain: 308 ft
2017 total: 23 miles

This week's goal: rest up for Rocks and Roots. We ran it in 2015 (race 1, race 2), but this time we'd be on the South Loop. I didn't know what to expect with elevation and obstacles, so I took it easy in preparation.

Scioto Audubon

Monday was my final day off work and the last "warm" day of week (48º and overcast), so Alex and I took Tobias to Scioto Audubon Metro Park. They walked around while I ran 4 miles on the downtown paths. There were a lot of rolling hills, but at the end my Garmin said 0ft. Hmpfh. I had energy to spare, but the guys wanted to go home, so I had them drop me off at the base of the biggest hill in our area so I could run home. I thought it would be further, but it only added 2.5 more miles. It worked out because my legs were still tired from Sunday's 5k.

Tuesday was a rest day and on Wednesday Alex and I ran 3 miles before dark. Once again, he was my speed work. Thursday and Friday were also rest days. At least we were productive on Friday and ran errands after work, then got pizza and beer at my boss's arcade.

Mural in the ladies' room at the arcade

I joined my training group Saturday for 4 miles in 5º as a literal dress rehearsal for Sunday's race. I started with my new pace group (the 10s), but somehow got sucked into a different group at the turn around and returned with the 9:45s. The last half mile is a 135ft hill and I chatted with ease (never happened last season on that hill). The 9:45s were a lot friendlier than the 10s, so I may stick with them for a while. We'll see.

Before the race. Brrrrrr.

Sunday was Rocks and Roots race #1. I was dreading it due to the 10º temps and the unknown course, but it all worked out. I'll post a recap when official photos are available. I ran the 10k and next month I'm running the 20k. A 20k isn't too scary, but the South loop we ran Sunday was very technical and I know the North loop has crazy elevation. My legs / brain were exhausted by mile 5, so I'm not sure what kind of a performance to expect... Eek!

Are your nearby trails technical (narrow and full of obstacles) or manicured (crushed gravel/flattened dirt)? 
How cold did it get in your area this week?