What makes for the best runs, the ones we remember? Have you ever thought about it? On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 3, I had one and here’s why I finished all excited about the effort.

I don’t usually see anyone else out running so early in the morning. Since my effort at recovery, the other runners around here have gone other ways or later in the day.

Late the day before, I heard about the possibility of snow, just like most of you did. I always get excited about snow since we see it so seldom in this area. Predictions were that snow would fall about 2:30 a.m., so I got up and checked outside. Sure enough, we had snow! I went outside and made a few pictures while walking around in it. But already, I was excited for my 5:45 a.m. run!

It was 23 degrees when I got up at just before 5 a.m. and hit the road thinking that the pavement had very little snow and it wouldn’t be slick. I was wrong on both counts. The pavement in spots had swirled snow with icy spots, and when passing next to or under trees, I felt my feet slip on occasion. As most snow and ice runners figure out quickly, if the first foot slips and the other doesn’t stabilize the stride, then you’re likely going down. Over the years when I was a faster runner, I fell so hard on pavement a few times that my teeth felt the jarring crash. On sloping roads, or as it was this morning when passing under shaded areas, feet can lose traction quickly. Older now, and maybe with a little better wisdom because of it, I took it easy on the slick spots and even walked a few of them.

We only had a half to 3/4 of an inch of snow on the ground, but running this morning still made for a wonderful memory. I was able to find the blackest spots nearest the edge of the road for better traction to start and then on the return trip with more light in the sky, I looked for the grayest spots. I didn’t fall but just missed my goal pace for the run. If there had been more snow on the road, I would have looked for the whitest snow which always has the best traction.

Speaking of memories, I remember a long-ago big snow when all five kids and a restless wife were in the house and wanted a few things from the store. I admitted to being a little restless myself and took off to the nearest convenience store, about five miles away. I had tied a plastic sled to my waist with a rope. This time, plenty of snow was on the road and almost no cars. It was too early in this storm for the snowplows to hit the back roads.

I ran to the store, got milk to make snow cream, the Sunday Charlotte Observer (the Post would be delivered later), some bread and a few lesser things. I had a blast running back home and the sled came right along. Everybody was happy when I arrived, but no one more than me. After snow cream and some playing in the snow, we had a good time just reading, watching movies and looking at the winter wonderland all around us. I couldn’t have stood all the downtime without that run, but my mind was at ease with the great workout. Funny how that happens just about every time.

On the morning of Dec. 11, I ran in a steady rain and blowing wind from the southeast. The effort needed was harder than it should have been, and my soaked shoes, shorts, socks and shirt totaled three pounds afterwards. I wouldn’t have missed either of these memories. It is great to be back on the roads!

Our next race ahead is the Bradshaw Rogers Financial Partners Resolution Run 5K at The Forum on Jan. 1. Look for this and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.