After spending a few days down in Southern Illinois packing my wife up from school and finally bringing her home, we finally got to see some snow! While I was down south, we got a few inches back up north. Driving home, about 2 hours out from her parents house, we spotted snow and it started to fall from the sky as well. I was so excited! Something about the snow makes everything a little bit better. It makes it a bit easier to tell yourself to slow down, relax and enjoy things.
We got unloaded then reloaded her car back up, headed home to my town, only to unload again, then head off to my cousin's wedding. I had planned taking the day off, so I was able to get some good rest and good food in all day. When I woke up Sunday morning, though, I was ready to get outside and do something active.
It was about 20ºF when I started my run in the morning. I felt like not wearing any computer aided training devices and just go. So I grabbed a cup of coffee to help wake me up, geared myself up, then harnessed up my dog Elle, and we were ready to hit the pavement.
The first few steps were creaky, but the stiffness wore off before I hit the end of my street. And once I got there, the sun was in full shining mode. It was gorgeous. All the tips of the trees were covered in snow and ice. It was truly a winter wonderland. And since my town is such a heavy German Catholic town, I was running during mass, so the streets were empty. Always a good feeling.
There's something about running in the cold, with snow packed over the sidewalks, that makes me love running in the winter. As long as I've got the proper gear to keep my temperature at a good level, these winter runs are some of my favorite. For this run I just put on my Newton trainers, some SmartWool ankle socks, a pair of nike tights, a nike cold weather tight under shirt, a brooks tech shirt, and my 2XU jacket, plus a hat and gloves. I think I've found my perfect getup for the 15-30ºF range. I didn't sweat much, but I never got cold either. Had a few gusts sneak up under the jacket, but nothing that would turn me back home.
Elle and I were only out for about 35 minutes of easy work, but I enjoyed it so much. It was one of those days were you feel you could go forever at that pace. Which I don't really know what it was, but it just felt right, and that's all I wanted out of the session. And topping it all off, like usual, I finished my run passing by the memorial tree for my brother Jake. It's always a nice reminder, knowing he's around in spirit.
The downside to the sunny day? The snow ended up melting by mid-afternoon. Now I'm sitting, anxiously waiting for some more snow to get out and run through again.
-Dave
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