Freezing Temperatures: Feels lIke 2 degrees

The mercury in New York has taken a nose dive. The sub freezing temperatures together with the wind equal low single digit temperatures. Cold enough to make the seasoned runner think...um once or twice before heading outside for a run. In the 3+ years that I have been running this recent cold snap is the coldest I have ever run outside. First step is being properly dressed for the extreme cold. I had winter tights, thermal base layer top, dri-fit top, winter pull over with hood, winter mittens with fleece liners, winter running hat, and a fleece pullover 'neck warmer.' I really thought this was a ridiculous amount of layers even for me! But, I was not taking any chances since I hate being cold; but not as much as running in hot, humid weather. Suited up and ready...LOL..had to take the gloves off twice to put my ear-pods in...and then put on my watch! And then, one glance at the outside thermometer and I was off. Day 1: 27 degrees Real feel 6 degrees.... I was really cold. My nose was especially feeling the wind bite and breathing in was not so easy. That was on the way out...on the way back I was thinking, "OK, that's not so bad. I even feel a little over heated!"   Day 2  17 degrees: real feel 2 degrees...I could not get to 4 miles I was really feeling the cold! Day 3  20 degrees: real feel 7 degrees. Since I only had 2.5 on the schedule it wasn't so bad to run except for the fact that it snowed last night and the streets were pretty covered with snow and ice, so I had to take it a bit slower. It's amazing how I used never even want to venture outside for any reason and now I go out in sub freezing single digit temperatures and run miles. It's a good thing being open to change in your life, it opens up new adventures! I still like the fall and spring better! LOL

TWO SECONDS!!!

This is my first post since the end of November. The last race that I ran was the December 15th HoHoHo 5k. Respectable time for sure...27:06, but a 2 second...3rd place loss for me. I have to say I was not happy with myself over that loss! 2 seconds! Did you ever time 2 seconds? Seems short, unless you are running a race and the 'gas tank' is totally empty. I was ahead for a long time. I saw her come up and fall back. I stayed steady but did not increase at all. Then she came up next to me and in the last 2 seconds blazed past. It seems in my AG all the top runners are just seconds apart. It also seems I should have dug deeper for some extra energy.

So the holidays came and they are gone and it is now 2013. I have figure out what my new racing goals are for this year.  Teaching has become an all encompassing event more so than ever in the last 20 years. And that compiled with a very happy event on the horizon: the birth of our newest grandson about to happen and my father's possible move, I am not so focused on racing. Life events have nudged out racing a bit. Not altogether, just put it a bit further down on the priority list. Training this week has become quite a challenge. In the midst of the 'in' box at work increasing and juggling life's challenges I must learn to be patient with running.  I promised myself when I started it would never become a job or something I was forced to do. Run with happiness and the joy of it,  is what I strive to maintain. Although running was on the schedule for tonight....it did not happen. I have learned to just take a step back and just be one with the fact that I did not run. I think runners can appreciate that we have conditioned ourselves to run. To run on a regular basis. To not run throws things out of kilter and creates a sort of imbalance in our lives. But one needs to also learn to accept that things happen and sometimes the training just does not happen.   I think that yoga has given me that ability to relax and breathe; to know not everything needs to be accomplished; other things are meant to happen instead. Finding that peace I think will also make me a better runner and will help me focus the next time. What makes me a winner? Every time I tie my running shoes and go out for a run. YAY!