Monday's 5...in Snow

Ah, an easy 5 miles…and yes, this was an easy run, something like 47:30 or something for time, about 9:30 miles each mile that I caught the split of. Hmm…9:00 pace for 15 on Sunday and only 9:30 for 5, recovery day? Yes, in part, but also the snow fairy visited us on Sunday and it dropped probably 4 inches of new powder that made the commute into work on Monday fun…anyway, the streets were not very clear, well, they weren’t dry, there was packed snow and some fresh type powder on some of the roads where I was running, so needless to say I was taking it slower and easier so as to avoid falling since I have yet to obtain some Yaktrax…and I’m back and forth on getting them now too. I tried last year, they were just out of them in the size I needed, and then I didn’t run outside in the cold so what did it matter? This year I thought I would only be running inside again, but found out how much I’m hating the dreadmill this year, so I haven’t been on it much and mostly just outside for my runs…we have only had two snowstorms really so far this year, and while we could get more, it’s not a guarantee, and I don’t really mind running in the snow, sure it slows me down, but I do know it also gives work to other muscles so can be a good thing too (I know I read something in Runners World about running in the snow to build up leg strength). So, will I buy Yaktrax? Hmm…one more snow storm and maybe…it probably is going to take a bad fall to convince me though. Yes, I’m one of those!! But on another great note, my stuff from National Running Center came yesterday. I tried out the illuminite jacket and it definitely makes me visible (I took a picture to see how much it lit up and it does!!), and something else that made me extremely happy is one of the jackets that I paid only $10 for, but was out of my size when I ordered (said only large left) came to me in size medium!! They screwed up technically on my order, but it was a fantastic screw up…so I now have enough jackets I think to get me through the winter. I might need one more pair of heavy tights and maybe one more heavy top and I think I will really be set for all things…

An interesting note about snow too. It’s amazing how quiet it is. Yes, I realize, it’s not like rain, you aren’t going to hear it beating on your roof, but on Sunday, the sounds of snow that I heard were the plow going by. That was my first indication that it was snowing. I had seen a weather report that said a chance for flurries (flurries to me does not mean 4 inches!), when I had headed out for my run around 11:30 am, it was sunny (I was wearing sunglasses that were fogging up from my breath coming out of my face mask!!) by around 1:45 when I was finishing, I was noticing that I didn’t seem to need the sunglasses quite as much, and was wondering why the sun was setting so soon…it was probably an hour or two later when the snow started, but I hadn’t looked outside so I was surprised when I heard the plow and saw what was going on…OK, I think I need to look outside a bit more often!!