Training continues...

..despite the snowy conditions and lack of daylight.
I've seen loads of pedestrians slipping over on the icy pavements in the last few days and decided that I really didn't want to risk injuring myself by trying to run on the local streets. So, I thought, the only thing for it is to attempt a night x-country run in the snow at Hankley Common. Jenny didn't think that was a good idea at all and told me that I was 'an idiot' to even think of running off road at night through deep snow. But I went anyway.
I parked the car on the road as a precaution as the muddy area that I usually park on is down a little snow covered slope and I had visions of returning later on and being unable to get the car out. That proved to be a wise move because James parked there the following day and did get stuck! He had to get his girlfriend to push the car while he drove it out!
After parking I had to walk a short distance and cross the road to get to the start of the run. I was aware that people in the cars passing by were looking at me and probably wondering what the hell I was doing in the middle of nowhere, at night, dressed in running gear and wearing a rucksack and head torch!
Once onto the common, though, I was able to get running and was pleasantly surprised on a couple of counts.
Firstly, the running itself wasn't difficult at all, in fact the deep snow seemed to even out all the usual bumps, roots, puddles etc so that I could run at a pretty decent pace. It was a bit slippery on the steeper up and down hills but I only actually fell over once and that was a soft landing, also thanks to the snow.
The other thing was that with everything being so white it was really easy to see in the dark. I reckon I could have got round without a my head-torch. There was a bit of moon to help (about half a moon or so) but even that was obscured by clouds for most of the time.
And I wasn't the only one foolish enough to be out. As I crested the last but one hill I came across a bunch of soldiers lying very still with their weapons pointing in my direction. Luckily they must have realised that I didn't pose a threat and decided not to open fire!
The rest of the run passed without incident and I got back to the car in about the same time as I would have done in daylight without the snow.

I enjoyed myself so much that I went and did the same run the following night. The snow was much softer though and a lot more slippery. And it was quite foggy. So It wasn't as much fun but still good.