The Snow Covered Trails of Kimpton

All four Harpenden Heros set off for the long run today.

Kenny was there, nervous about the ice, but proving he is indeed not a woose.

Off we went out and up over the hills. The roads were a tad icy in places, but the trails were much more fun. Either clear, where we could get the speed back up, or snow covered. Rather rutted and mostly of the frozen variety.

There was a pink dawn which reflected of the snow and the rabbits could be seen from miles away racing each other across the fields.

Had the whole pace to ourselves with only a couple of dog walkers and very little traffic on the roads.

Highlight of the run was the climb back up from Kimpton, where we came up through a tree-lined trail with crunchy snow on it all the way to the top. On the foot fall the layer of frozen snow gave way and you sank down into whatever was underneath. Then it was hard work lifting the leg back up through the snow and the frozen crust. We'd half a mile of that at least. Paul had to tank it up the hill too as he'd had to answer the call of nature at the bottom (te he no pun intended).

We regrouped at the top and no sooner than we had worked out were we were and where we were going than Dave went arse over tit and hit the ground with bump and a curse. As a past master at falling he was a) ok and b) back up and running in seconds.

Kenny did not up the pace with us as we hit the clear paths before the Greenway, so I doubled back and made sure he got at least that far then we opened up for home. Paul took the direct route from the Greenway along the main road, but Dave and I came home through the normal Wheathampstead park and town route.

No sprint finish this week due to the ice covered trail.

Met some people just leaving the footpath who were amazed to see people returning from a long run.

Here's the route: