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February 08, 2007

Finding My Limit*

I think I have found what my personal limit for running in the cold is: zero degrees.

Yesterday morning, I headed out for a 5+ mile run in 2-degree weather (before windchill). I had a major case of Arctic Ass (TM Dianna) when I was done, but I didn't feel cold or miserable and, to be honest, I quite enjoyed myself. I was all set to do it again this morning, but when I checked the weather, it told me it was -1 out.

I died a little inside, since the forecasts had led me to believe it would be at least 4 or 5 degrees. (Also, how sad is it that I'm all, "woo! 5 degrees! Party!") However, after spending nearly a week in hibernation mode, I wanted to get out there. Besides - it was 5:30 in the morning. What else was I going to do? The wind chill wasn't that much colder than yesteray, so I figured I'd be OK. I bundled up, headed out, and was a block from home when I realized it just wasn't going to happen. I was almost warm enough, and probably would have been OK, but my hands were freezing. While my Brooks gloves are pretty warm, they're apparently not quite warm enough for subzero temperatures. D'oh.

Time for Plan B: head home, go to work, then leave early and run in the evening before it got dark out. I figured it would have to be warmer out than it was in the morning, so I deemed the plan good. And it would have been good: I left work at 4, it was sunny and 10 degrees out - not tropical by any means, but not subzero either - perfect weather for a winter run. The only problem was I found out at 3:30 that there was a conference call I had to be on at 5 tonight for work. D'oh. No run for me, which is still bumming me out. Let's all cross our fingers that tomorrow morning sees positive temps and I can get a few more miles in this week.

In happier news, I went and swam with the swim club last night and it was fantastic. I fit right in ability and speed-wise with the Level I people (I was worried I'd be way behind) and the workout was challenging but not overwhelming. I was a little concerned about the fact that it was a 90-minute workout, since I haven't been in the pool for longer than an hour in ages, but that turned out to be a non-issue. I had fun, the people were nice, and I wasn't the only one who had no idea how to do a flip turn. Plus it was, indeed, far easier to get to than my gym, and the schedule is much better. I think this is going to work out very well for me.

Plus, the assistant coach that was there last night? Was way cute. That sort of thing never hurts.

*As soon as I thought of the title for this entry this morning, I immediately thought of StrongBad's "To The Limit" song, and it's been stuck in my head all day. Everybody to the limit!

Posted by Dawn at February 8, 2007 06:17 PM

Comments

Posted by: Jessica at February 8, 2007 08:26 PM

Posted by: katiek at February 8, 2007 10:31 PM

Posted by: 21stCenturyMom at February 9, 2007 11:23 AM

Posted by: jeff at February 9, 2007 03:39 PM