They had been saying it was supposed to be cold, possibly single digits. It was -11 degrees when I stepped off the porch. My nose hairs froze immediately, the taste buds in the middle of my tongue seemed to have frozen just as fast. I quickly changed my planned route in case the cold forced me to turn to home sooner than anticipated.
The only sound was my feet on the frozen pavement everything was still, in deep freeze. I wondered if I would ever warm up? I made it through the first few miles and chose to push on past the warmth of the house I felt strong and surprisingly comfortable.
My eyes teared and froze on my cheeks. A frost developed on my vest and collar of my jacket as the heat from my body escaped into the bitter cold air. Ice formed in the folds of the fabric of my jacket at the crook of my elbow and would periodically pop off as I moved my arms flying into the air.
Wood smoke, diesel fumes and cow manure are standard run odor's this time of year some might say the smell of winter but that is hard to explain. As I climbed the last hill towards home an odd warm breeze hit me in my frozen face and on that breeze was breakfast: eggs, sausage, bacon and coffee. At first I thought my frozen brain was playing tricks on me but as I continued I noticed an door propped open while the resident loaded wood into the house. Oh..... sausage! It took everything I had not to turn and bound up those porch steps and into the kitchen for breakfast with the family. My pace quickened significantly, I focused on the top of the hill with a new vigor, breakfast was a mile away.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
It's a new year, what do I do now?
In 2010 I ran a handful of 5k's, a couple of 1/2 marathons and my first marathon. My daughter and I ran in her first 5k on Turkey Day, what a joy. I registered for an early December 7 miler but when race day arrived the whole family was stuck in bed with the flu, on less t-shirt didn't hurt.
Since the October marathon it has been a challenge for me to maintain my 4 day a week run schedule even with reduce millage. As it started getting darker earlier and morning run temps dipped below 30 degrees I began abusing the snooze button regularly. Rainy days where out of the question. I had to almost force myself through droll 5 miles on the treadmill. When I did get outside I ran with less vigor and purpose. My head was cloudy, lacking direction.
My first run of 2011 was actually in 40 degree, foggy, misty, dreary weather. I left in the dark and returned in the dark after running for an hour with out seeing a sole; perfect. This run reminded me how much I enjoy running, setting a goal, developing a training plan and reaching that goal. I need to find another race! I felt better already!
The world wide web reviled a multitude of race opportunities: New England, south of the Mason Dixon Line, along the shores of the Great Lakes, high in the Rockies and Big Sur which a friend of mine has decided to tackle. Big races advertised in Runners World types, local running club and heard through the grape vine races and some sort of mudder thing. A perverbial stew of running events, no hurry.
I have not found my next event but I will. In preperation I will work diligently to maintain my weight below 200lbs, I will run 4 days a week, cross train two, rest a day and try to ski with my kids as often as possible. I will find an event eventually...... Probably the first resolution I will keep! It will be a great 2011.
Since the October marathon it has been a challenge for me to maintain my 4 day a week run schedule even with reduce millage. As it started getting darker earlier and morning run temps dipped below 30 degrees I began abusing the snooze button regularly. Rainy days where out of the question. I had to almost force myself through droll 5 miles on the treadmill. When I did get outside I ran with less vigor and purpose. My head was cloudy, lacking direction.
My first run of 2011 was actually in 40 degree, foggy, misty, dreary weather. I left in the dark and returned in the dark after running for an hour with out seeing a sole; perfect. This run reminded me how much I enjoy running, setting a goal, developing a training plan and reaching that goal. I need to find another race! I felt better already!
The world wide web reviled a multitude of race opportunities: New England, south of the Mason Dixon Line, along the shores of the Great Lakes, high in the Rockies and Big Sur which a friend of mine has decided to tackle. Big races advertised in Runners World types, local running club and heard through the grape vine races and some sort of mudder thing. A perverbial stew of running events, no hurry.
I have not found my next event but I will. In preperation I will work diligently to maintain my weight below 200lbs, I will run 4 days a week, cross train two, rest a day and try to ski with my kids as often as possible. I will find an event eventually...... Probably the first resolution I will keep! It will be a great 2011.
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