At last there is daylight late enough to be driving home in it. I drove straight to the North Chagrin Reservation, but found that my special parking space had not been plowed. No matter. I managed to get off the road and not buried so deeply in snow as not to be able to pull out later and climbed from the car. The bridle trails remained snow covered with all the frozen foot tracks that make navigation such a challenge, but there was a narrow corridor down the middle that was becoming reasonably well packed, bearing some resemblance to flatness. Some.
I ran along the trail past the Rugby field and on to Clear Creek, which was practically frozen over. It was solid enough in parts to walk across; a true testament to just how cold this winter has been since the water beneath is still flowing quickly. I made my way across River Road and into the woods behind the sledding hill before making actually descending the hill…without falling. I made my way back across River Road and ran around Squires Castle before returning the way I had come.
It was a challenging, but beautiful run. The snow’s depth probably slowed me by 2 minutes a mile, but my heart rate and effort was high. Running along a bluff overlooking a partially frozen Chagrin River was an additional treat. A run that would normally take 30 minutes took 40 to complete. I drove home thinking ‘if I can make myself get on that trainer, I could have a solid double’. The ‘me’ that has been slacking for some time was fighting with the new old ‘me’ that is trying to get my ass in high gear again.
I walked in the house and stripped off my sweaty clothes, immediately donning my cycling gear and heading for my office. I loaded an episode of ‘The West Wing’ on Netflix, climbed on the trainer and began to ride. After five minutes I was again drenched and pushed myself through to the one-hour mark. Damn…nice double, I thought as I headed for the shower.
So there. I CAN still do it. Tomorrow I’m planning a Survival Workout at the Y and then a ride once I get home. It’s March. The snow is bound to melt and the roads should once again become clear for riding. I’m already planning a point to which I can drive my car in the morning and then park it, pull out the bike, and ride the remainder of the distance to Warren and work. At the end of the work day, I’ll ride back to the car and then drive home. I can get 40-50 miles of riding a day that way. I’m completely ready to be in great shape again.
Run Workout: 40 minutes. Bike Workout: 60 minutes.
Training Heart Rate: 140 bpm running and 120 on the trainer.
Calories burned during workout: 700 running and 850 riding.
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