Strength of Character

Today's run was a chilly 8 mile trail run through the frozen snow. I enjoy trail running because it's usually less crowded so am I alone to my thoughts, I see some nature from time to time, and the scenery changes with plenty of twists, turns and hills. For these reasons it is usually home to my longest runs. A snow and ice covered surface however and changes these runs to tests of will. The surface is more uneven than usual, it makes my strides shorter, hills feel longer and it adds about 28 seconds to my per mile pace. Going downhill is also especially difficult on my joints because the hard uneven surface. I appreciate the challenge. Doing this makes my other runs easier. I know when I reach mile 8 on my next pavement run I will say "What? Already?!?"