Luna Osos with Polar Fleece Tabi Socks

The weather is below freezing so it must be time for the Northwest Trail Runs Winter Trail Run Series again.  The series actually started a few weeks ago when I was in SoCal so the Ravenna Refresher was the first event I got to run and it felt like winter.  It was 24 degrees in Fall City at 7 am when I took off for the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle to help setup, do registration and then run the 8k (almost 5 mile) course today.   I bundled up big-time even with my snowshoe boots, fleece tights and flannel lined pants, three tops and a fleece jacket for setup and reg so I wouldn’t get too cold like I did at the last event when I cramped up immediately after starting to run and it was way colder today.

I decided to run in my Luna Sandals since it was clear out and to deal with the cold I wore my Polar Fleece Tabi socks which worked perfectly. I have actually ordered a Luna Tabu to use in the winter but they were out of stock in my size until yesterday so I just placed the order this morning before taking off on the event, they will be waterproof as well as warm.   The sandals ended up being perfect for the packed gravel trails in the park.  I chose the 8k because I wasn’t totally sure I’d be up for 12k by the time the run came around but l should have just switched, I could have easily done another lap since this was such an easy place to run.   I crossed the first lap at 20:51 and finished at 42:04 so my pace was pretty consistent between the two laps.   This is actually the only 8k event I’ve ever run so I guess I just set a PR for that distance though I have done a few full 5-milers a bit faster.

Next up is the Redmond Reindeer Romp in two weeks, usually the coldest event of the series.   I signed up for the 5-mile, I may decide to switch up to the half marathon, we’ll see how cold and/or wet it is.   After that will be the Seward Solstice 10k on the 19th of December.