Story
I had run an 8.5-mile speed workout yesterday, so I didn’t have high expectations for my time today. I’ve been training for both Seneca 7 (next weekend) and the Toronto Half Marathon (next, next weekend), so what with various scheduling factors, today was my last long run day before those two events. The Dryden Lake Lollipop course is scenic and easy on the feet, and of course I wanted to do a Challenge course today, so it was the obvious choice.
I parked near the Dryden Creamery and snapped a photo of a new peace post that’s been installed there before running to Freeville and then back to the peace post. It’s too early in the year for the annoying cloud of gnats that often infests that stretch of trail. Back at the car, I changed my sneakers to give my feet a change, ate a handful of “magic maple” pumpkin seeds, and drank some electrolyte charged water. The second half of the course was tough going for a few miles, but when I got out to the road, the pavement felt bouncier than the trail had and once I got to the top of the hill out there, I felt pretty good. I picked up my pace quite a bit and made it back to the peace post feeling strong.
I completed my effort with a strawberry sundae.
