Snowy run

I woke up this morning not particularly excited to run my six miles, but thought I better do it anyway. Upon looking outside, there it was: the dreaded white stuff I'd been waiting for. Since it didn't look too bad, I decided to be brave and try my first snow run. This would be an adventure, I told myself. So I geared up (Santa Hustle shirt and all), and headed out. 

Approximately eight steps into my run, I realized that my fabulous Mizuno running shoes had an empty bubble in the bottom, which was quickly filled with compacted snow. Despite my best efforts every once in a while to stop and kick it out, it was sort of like running in kitten heels. My stride suffered. 

This was also about the time I started saying today's mantra: "Don't fall on your ass. Don't fall on your ass." 

I didn't fall on my ass, or my face for that matter, so that's a win in my book. 

About two miles in, it was clear that six miles wasn't going to happen today. I decided to run 25 minutes out and 25 minutes back. I figured that'd give me around 4.5, considering I was slowed by the snow. At minute 47, my left knee twinged catapulting me forward, so I called it a morning. 

So what have I learned about running in the snow? Well, for starters, there's more pounding as I tried to make sure my body was in solid contact with the ground. There's also awkward shoe placement. But, I wasn't cold and even the snow pelting my face didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. 

Plus, it was extremely quiet, very serene, very pretty. How often do you get that?

Now it's time to pack and take off for the wedding. I guess this means I'll have to do 5.5 on the dreadmill tomorrow at the hotel to make up for today. Oh well. If you would've told me last year that I'd be outside running on December 17, I would've thought you were crazy. So, I think today is a major success.

Happy weekend, all!