Cool Running!

My friend, Sarah, decided a few months back that she was going to run the New Orleans Rock n' Roll marathon on February 28th. Having just completed one in October, I knew I wasn't mentally ready to dive right back into training for another 26.2 miles, but I kept telling her (and myself) that I might consider the half marathon. Well, last week Kristen and I caved and decided to both do the half marathon along with Sarah. Booking our flights last Sunday really solidified my commitment, which meant I needed to start training! I've been running intermittently outside but haven't run more than 7 miles since my marathon. This week I officially starting 'training' and ran 6.5 miles Tuesday morning. (It's a lot less motivating when it's below freezing outside!) I kept telling myself that on Saturday I would tackle 10 and then would feel good about the race. As some of you know, I'm quite determined and once I put my mind to something, it's hard to sway me. Well, I had already committed in my head that I was going to run 10 miles on Saturday...irregardless of the extreme cold and snow in the forecast. Around 9am on Saturday, I headed outside only to find flurries already starting to fall. Thinking they would subside, I persisted only to find the snow just as persistent. About 3 miles into my run, the snow was really coming down, but I was determined to complete my 10 miles. On the way back, I couldn't really feel my fingers and was wishing I had doubled up on my gloves, icicles were forming on my eyelashes, and I had to considerably slow my pace because of my lack of traction in the snow. Not to mention I used no logic before heading out and took my water bottles with me only to find them frozen by the time I went for a drink. With a little over 2 miles left, I passed a 7-11 and contemplated going in just to unthaw for a bit, but knew somehow I still had to endure those last two miles, so I kept truckin'. It was pretty much the least enjoyable run I have ever been on. (It even beats my Pocahontas State Park run!) I'm happy to report that I did finish 10.12 miles on Saturday and eventually warmed up after a very, very, very long shower!

I knew I had to look crazy, so I snapped a pic when I got in the house: