Friday, January 9, 2009

Snowy 8 miler

I headed out to run 8 miles after work last night. It was very cold and windy and I started by running into the wind. Within a quarter mile, I was freezing and thinking about quitting. I was worried about frostbite. But, I decided to push on to a spot where some trees would protect me a bit from the wind coming off Lake Champlain. When I got there, things were better, but my hands were still cold.

I decided I'd at least run out two miles and see how I felt. By the two mile mark, I was warm except for my hands and they were getting better. So, I decided I could at least get to the three mile mark before I turned around. On the way to the three mile mark, I started to negotiate with myself a bit. There is a nice little Mexican restaurant right near where I'd parked my car. I told myself that if I made 8 miles, I could stop there for dinner and a margarita before heading home. I think that gave me the motivation to continue for 8 miles.

The entire run was done on snow and my time was slow. But overall, I felt pretty strong despite being cold. I'm concerned about next Thursday, when I'll be working in Burlington again. The temperatures are supposed to plummet on the back-side of a Tuesday snowstorm and next Thursday might not get above 0F. On the days I work in Burlington, I have a 60+ mile commute each direction. The gym doesn't open until 6:00 in the morning and I have no shower at work. So, scheduling a quality workout on that day is tough unless I do it outside and after dark. So, I guess I'll need warmer clothes next week.

Yesterday, I got some new tights from CWX. They offer a pro price on the tights to members of PSIA and I'd asked for two pairs for Christmas. They arrived late for Christmas, but I got them yesterday. I got one pair of their tights for cold weather and I'll use them for winter running and for skiing. I got a lighter pair that I'll use for running on less cold days. I really liked how they feel when I tried them on. I've been skeptical of some of the claims about reduced fatigue, but the pro price made them affordable enough that I can give them a try. I'll report back on how they work after I've had a chance to ski and run in them a few times.

5 comments:

David Ray said...

But how was the Mexican food? :)

Nice work in the snow and cold. It's like another world down here.

Damon said...

The food was good. They had a new batch of New Mexico chiles and I had enchiladas made with them and chicken. Plus, a margarita made with Don Julio Blanco.

Anonymous said...

When I worked at IDX, I would head north and hit a trail that ran along the lake for some miles - I remember being grateful, during the winter, for those spots that had trees that broke the wind for me :)

...eating Mexican food in Burlington? I can't imagine it : )

Damon said...

Jim,

I was running on the same trail that you used to run on.

Burlington actually had a really good Mexican restaurant until about 2 years ago, but it was out close to IDX rather than downtown and its location killed it. Right now, there are 2 very mediocre places in Burlington, and I cook better Mexican at home quite frequently. But, the meal I had the other night was pretty good, even though the place is more Tex-Mex than truly Mexican.

Believe it or not, Burlington has a pretty good barbecue place these days too.

Anonymous said...

Somewhere in my list of "dumbest things I've ever done" is "Leaving Vermont".