Let It Snow!

I set out for my boring 16 miler Monday afternoon around 3pm.  I did two 8 mile loops around town.  I stopped halfway to use the bathroom at home.  I considered ending my run then, but that would have been inexcusably lame.  To spice it up a bit, I did my second loop the opposite direction (wild and crazy).  Ten of those miles were supposed to be at Marathon Race Pace.  I finished the run in 2:13:13, an 8:16 pace.  My pace for my last marathon (Mohawk Hudson River) was 8:17 so I'm thinking I did this last run overall too fast.  I need to slow it down a notch.

We had a little snowstorm yesterday on my day off.  Whoo hoo!  Oh, but today wasn't a day off... boo! I wore my Uniqlo heattech turtle neck, an Old Navy thermal shirt, my Avalanche pullover, my Mizuno leggings, and my Yaktrax over my sneaks.  I didn't bring my iPhone because it was 10 degrees out and I didn't want to break it.  It was chilly, but I warmed up after the first mile.  I ran on the streets if they were packed down with snow, otherwise I took to the sidewalks which were mostly shoveled.  Early on a man shoveling laughed when he saw me approach.  He shook his head and said, "You're crazy."  I agreed with him.  Around Mile 4 another man clapped and said "Die hard!  Nice!"  I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like a total bad ass.  I enjoyed listening to the crunch of snow under my feet with each footfall.  The scenery was a beautiful winter wonderland.  My only complaint was that my face felt frozen throughout.  I didn't see any other runners, which is unusual in my town.  I didn't incorporate the scheduled 10 x 100 speed work because of the ice.  I finished my 8 miles (no time) feeling completely invigorated.  Antarctica, here I come!  (wink wink) (not really)

Yaktrax:  Yes, I think I put my left one on inside out.

So what?!