If you live pretty much anywhere in the United States you are probably in the midst of some downright frigid temperatures and many of us are being walloped by a snow storm right now. Might not be easy to define this as “running conditions”but this morning it was off to Marshfield, Massachusetts to run the Frozen Pilgrim Road Race before about 2 feet of snow hits the region.

This race is the January Grand Prix race for the Thirsty Irish Runners and the five mile route was going to serve as the distance for the series. However, wisely given the snow about to hit coupled with the temps being in the low teens at race time, yesterday the race director changed the race to a 3 mile course (which tracked to just about a 5K) and moved the race up an hour so runners could finish up the run and head home safely before the snow really starts flying.

It was cold, like real cold, out on the course so bundling up and including hand warmers in the gloves was a must. The race kicked off exactly at 9AM which is always appreciated by runners when races start on time. The course took runners around the high school and middle school grounds of Marshfield before heading out on a quick out-and-back stretch through a neighboring residential neighborhood. There were a couple little hills mixed into the course for good measure but most of the course the challenge was catching your breath in the cold more than worrying about traversing up steep uphills stretches. The snow started a bit earlier than forecasted with just flurries coming down while out on the course but upon heading home the race director absolutely made the right call changing the time and distance of the race as more snow started coming down quickly and the roads started to get covered.

Though cold out there, glad we still tackled the race and the warm and comfy couch and the Patriots game this afternoons sounds absolutely perfect.

Finished up the Frozen Pilgrim with a time of 26:15 good for 8:45/miles.

To those dealing with the cold and snow with this storm, keep warm and safe and see you back out on the roads soon enough!