You know it is cold when the snow crunches with every step. Today was my coldest run this season. Well it is, after all, the first day of winter. The operative word is "first", meaning there are many more days of winter to come and therefore many more days of cold runs. This won't be the last time I'll see -10 and probably there will be a few days colder than that.

Here is my attire for today's 11 mile hilly run:

• Regular running socks
• Trail shoes (Asics Eagle)
• Expedition weight long underwear
• Light weight running pants
• Coolmax singlet
• Coolmax long-sleeve t-shirt
• Light fleece top
• Wind shell
• Light weight hat (removed after 5 miles)
• Balaclava
• Medium weight glove liners
• Old wool mittens

If anything I was slightly overdressed.

Given the cold and the fact that the roads all had a good cover of snow, I did not wear my Forerunner (although I suppose I should see if it can handle such cold) or even a watch. In fact I had the best traction on the 1.5 mile dirt stretch. At least on that stretch the snow wasn't polished and slippery.

I must say that the cold never really bothered me. I was tired and sore. Probably due to the relatively high mileage I've been running and the lack of sleep. L has been sick lately and up frequently. At one point during the run, just after five miles and before the steepest stretch of hill there was a big snow covered field lit up in the moonlight. My only thought at the time was, "wouldn't it be nice to go lay down in the comfortable snow to rest." OK, so I need more sleep and should back off on the mileage. I'll work on getting more sleep this week and next week is a recovery week with mileage between 55 and 60 instead of in the 70's.

I also got in 10 minutes of rowing before heading out the door so today's mileage will total 12.

Victor

Cross-training: 1.0 miles
Running: 11.0 miles
Shoes: ASICS Eagle (trail shoe)
WTD running: 17.0 miles
WTD total: 21.0 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 2:10 PM