This is why I love running. Against all expectations, I just had a great run. It is -11 degrees but it feels like -17 degrees. Still, I am training for a 30K race in March, and time is ticking. (And by 'training', I mean hoping to run enough so I can finish the race without injuring myself and taking twenty-four hours to do it. I work full-time and I have three kids, and my kids each have lots of activities. Lots.)
Anyway, every time I start training for a race, I download a training schedule and insist that THIS time, I am going to follow it to the letter. Except that I don't. Something always gets in the way. I have been diligently cross-training, but it has been hard to get outside to run with all the ice. And the cold temperatures.
But tonight, I decided that nothing was going to stop me. I decided to bundle up and hope for the best. I wore two layers on my legs, four layers on my top, two pairs of gloves, an ear band, a hat, and a face cover. And I felt warm (once I started running). Even though I prefer trail running, I ran on the road tonight. For some reason, it felt great and I even felt what to me is the 'runner's high'. I am running along, and it just feels easy and good, and suddenly I can see a long way in front of me and I just want to sprint it. I focus on a point way ahead, and run steadily and quickly toward it. It's a great feeling. I've heard a 'rule of thumb' is not to run if it's colder than -10 degrees. I am Canadian though, and it was all good!
Bring on the race.
