And the Beast Goes On!!!

Since the last post on my major feat of the winter run, I totally dropped the ball. This winter season seemed to be the snowiest ever - well at least in a long time. Every other day, the flurries would fall from the skies and pile into inches. The temperatures plummeted to single digits and wind chills reported to have a feel within the negative teens. Needless to say, there went my winter run.

Fast forward to March 10th, with the morning temperature back in the 30's and heading up to the 40's - it was time to head back out and get back on track. This time it was different as I heard my King (the Beast) ask if I wanted to go for a run, my heart sank. Our ideas for a run are way different. My run is just a smidgen above a snails pace, his idea is like a cross country pick up the pace and let's go. Prepared to challenge myself, I agreed to run knowing that it was going to be a rough one.

What I wasn't prepared for was the slick patches of ice. The day before was beautiful, a high of 50 was instrumental in melting the snow. However, there was some refreezing due to the drop in temperatures over night. We ran up on hills, on mounds of snow and gingerly ran over icy patches. It was like a boot camp run, testing my ability to make it through. I tried my best to keep up as the beast was way ahead of me. Over all, I made it through. Once again, I am proud of my efforts and now that the season is changing, I will be back out there even if it means I will go for the challenge run with my King - the Beast.

In the meantime, if the weather decides to take a turn, I will take full advantage of the indoor workout. How about you?

Update: Friday the 13th
It was 32 degrees so the Beast and I headed out for a run this morning. Although the path was much better as the snow has melted even more - it was a tough one. So tough that the beast was way ahead of me and kept running back to tell me to pick it up. With an aching knee, I begged him to go ahead - "I'll make it" but the truth is I felt like giving up, turning back and walking home. Here's the kicker, as I ran at a pace that allowed me to focus on running, the beast would make announcements to alert me that "this is the tough part" or "pick up your knees we're going up this hill" - things I really did not want or needed to hear. I just wanted to run the best way that I could. The best part of it all - I did it and I am so glad that I did.

Winter Fitness

And just like that, I mustered up the courage and went out for a winter run. Yes indeed. Over the years I watched people jogging/running in the winter weather and I would wonder how on earth do they leave the warmth of their covers and venture out into the freezing cold air. Surely, they must have lost their minds. I guess I should consider myself a conditional runner. I will go for an early morning run when the weather is nice and warm. I will gladly get out of bed at 5:00 am and run to my hearts content even making it up some steep hills and finishing at 5 + miles.

However, today as I completed my morning prayer and meditation, I turned on the news and saw that it wasn't snowing and it was 30 degrees. I kept thinking to myself, I should do it - I should go for a run. I'll layer up and head on out. It was still a bit dark and I wasn't sure if the roads and sidewalks would be clear enough from the snow. I went on out and walked to the main road and that's when I began the run. I ran a long stretch of the road to an end that lead to the highway and then returned feeling like a champion. I couldn't believe that I ran in 30 degree weather and it wasn't that bad at all. I checked out the distance and came in at 3.34 miles, imagine that???!!! Not only did I do the unimaginable but I put in some miles as well.

So what's on your to do list? What have you thought of doing but just haven't done it yet? I did it and I know I will do it again. I am officially a runner of all seasons.