Caution: Cuddling Can Prove Catastrophic

Got home and started the usual routine of sneaking into our bedroom to dig out my duds in the dark without rousing the lil lady. Now, I know I could just leave my gear in the guest bathroom the day before and bypass all the tiptoeing, but she'd rather know I made it home and that I'm headed to the trail, no loss of sleep on my part. That is, except when cuddling is required before I go.

Fast forward 35 minutes. I'm under the blankets in a frigid dark room, snuggled between her and our two dogs, that generate body heat equivalent to two small ovens, and quickly drifting off to sleep. Dragging myself out of bed was just a bit difficult. It was made easier as she began to kick me out since I missed my long run Sunday, and she wanted the bed to herself a bit longer. She can be so suportive when I need it most.

Warming up the the dirt took a bit, a little longer than the usual mile. Once things got under way I drifted along just fine.

Gear wise, today was the inaugural use of my new Quickdraw water bottle. It was nice having some water on the trail and not worrying about actually cumbersomely carring a bottle with me as this system straps to the hand. There's even a little zipper-pouch so I could stow away some extra gum (it gets overly hot and soft in my shorts' pockets) and a Crystal Lite or two. Next on the list is to replace my old Camelbak with somthing that doesn't jostle around as much.