31 miles on the trails in Freedom Park (Williamsburg) for the Singletrack Maniac 50K.  It was a tough day at the office.

A few eight-mile runs on the trails in Stanley Park while visiting Vancouver (24 miles over three days).

After a morning hike with Henry to the pond in our neighborhood, eight snowy, afternoon miles of running in Biscuit Run.

Short drive to southern Maryland to run the Frozen Heart 50K, which took place on the trails in St. Mary’s River State Park.  This appeared to be a fast course, but that was before it got dumped with snow earlier in the week (six plus inches on the trails; I was lucky to finish only an hour after my original goal time).

Route: Starting at Riverview Park, I ran the Rivanna Trail, plus a couple of bonus miles (22 total).  The latter resulted from getting mixed up on some of the new trail sections/detours.  I waded through Moore’s Creek at Woolen Mills, which seemed more disgusting than cold (the only other option was to cross a sketchy railroad trestle).  Also, I saw three foxes (or the same fox three times).

Route: From the first parking area at Sugar Hollow, ran six miles or so to the Shenandoah National Park, linking up with the Appalachian Trail at Black Rock Gap.  Followed the AT north to the summit of Black Rock, continuing north for another mile or so before heading back to Sugar Hollow.  16.25 miles total.

 

Looking downstream from the waterfall.

Late morning 14-miler with temperature hovering around freezing at the start of the run.

My son got sick and couldn’t run the Kid’s Dash, so I turned up for the 5K alone, stumbling over the finish line in 19:58 (9th/257) on a very scenic/diverse course.

First snowy run of the season (10 miles).  Not really a proper snow, but snow nonetheless.

Light, 34-mile week to leisurely take in the leaves on local trails–primarily in Biscuit Run, which borders my neighborhood.  Today’s second trip to BR included a 4.5-mile bike ride/hike with Henry, on which I had to carry his bike over only the most technical of spots.