Sun 2/1 - AM 55 minutes incl. 5 mile road race

Seemed like a good idea when I signed up for it six weeks ago. Back then, the plan was that I wouldn't have to run on the track the day before. Should have figured the weather would likely be adverse at this time of year. Having done well by races in Newburyport in the past I was unable to resist signing up and combining it with a hike later in the day at Maudslay. Minimal warmup beforehand, calf feeling like utter garbage. While the wind was hitting us dead on standing on the line, actually running into it was another matter entirely. Hideous is an understatement. Lots of clumping and some minor jostling among the lead group as we rolled through the mile in right around 5:50. Felt a lot harder than that. Ignored the 2 mile split, but 3 went in 17 minutes. Turned out of the wind pretty much right at the 2 mile mark which also coincided with running downhill. This of course shook things up and it quickly became clear I wouldn't be in the top 3 money slots. Spent the rest of the race maintaining my spot which I correctly assumed was top old fart, a few clicks ahead of second. Alas, it made no difference in the end as the age group prize wasn't worth showing up for. Barely able to move on the cooldown as the calf stiffened up noticeably. Salvaged the day somewhat with a nice snowshoe hike later in the afternoon at Maudslay, a lot more snow than the last time I was there in late November.