Better to Laugh

I got up early this morning to get in a run before the blizzard started. There was no snow at 4:35 a.m., but I also did not feel like running. I changed the alarm and crawled back under the covers. At 5:45 a.m., there was a dusting of snow on the ground. I decided that there might be some slick spots at this point, and it was still dark outside, so back to bed. At 7:45 a.m., there was a little more snow cover. I thought maybe I would wave the white flag and run on the eighth-mile indoor track at the fitness center, but it was on the closed business list.

Hmmm… Today is a run day. Fitness center is closed. There are a couple of inches of snow on the ground, heavy snow coming down, and a strong N/NE wind. What is a girl to do? Pull on the trail running shoes, face mask, gloves, and head out for a run, of course! Running on a couple of inches of fresh snow is a great workout; just don’t expect to keep a normal pace. Stay on the fresh powder and out of tire tracks, though; they are slippery.

I am glad I didn’t wimp out, because the snowy scenery made for a beautiful run, when the snowflakes were not poking me in the eyeballs, that is. And I was not the only crazy runner out there; there was a guy running in long sleeves and shorts! By the time I neared home, my outgoing footprints were almost filled up. It was getting a little more difficult to run with good form, at that point.

I got home, blew out the driveway, went inside, and took off my shoes. My feet were warm and dry, thanks to my Brooks trail running shoes! They were dry until I stepped in a lump of slush with my socks, that is. One cup of hot chocolate (made with vanilla almond milk) later, and I was a happy runner.

So far, I have run in freezing rain, the leading edge of a severe thunderstorm, extreme heat, and now a blizzard. I don’t plan on running in a tornado or flood, so I think I have met all the severe weather running challenges for my lifetime.