Bright & Sunshiney Days

Yesterday (2/8) was absolutely gorgeous.  A sunny, 70* day in the middle of winter.  A light at the end of this dark, wintry tunnel.  I’m not complaining–this winter can hardly be called a winter.  It’s barely been below freezing, and I think I’ve seen snowflakes once.  Still, with the amount of time I spend at work (i.e. indoors, a slave to my computer, no sunlight) and the amount of time I have to myself in the evening (i.e. virtually none! A slave to kids/house, no sunlight this time of year)… being outside yesterday, without any winter gear at all, felt deliciously amazing.  In fact, I should have worn sunscreen during my 8 mile run, and I should have done it earlier in the day.  Yet, the fact that it was a bright & sunshiney day sort of prevented me from thinking clearly.  I just wanted to be outside.

In contrast… because nothing in life is all rainbows & butterflies:

Last week’s long run (2/1) was a complete Bonk.  As in, I felt really crummy around mile 5, had to stop to… ahem… in the woods, and then couldn’t physically get my legs to move anymore.  So I walked the 2.5 miles back to the car, cursing my GI tract and myself the entire way.  I had no fuel of any kind with me, not even Gatorade or water, and I hadn’t worn enough clothing for a walking pace, so I was cold to boot.  I felt pretty darn miserable.  Note to self: work on proper nutrition plan!

This week, I didn’t go to Salem Lake, purely for the fact that I wanted to be close to a bathroom should nature call.  I chose my route around the neighborhood so I wouldn’t be more than 1.5 miles from the house at any given time.  Worked out OK, since I had to come home at mile 6 to take care of business.  Again, I cursed my GI tract, and again I vow to work on my nutrition this week.  At least I finished all 8 miles without walking.  And the Gatorade at mile 6 helped me get back to my goal pace of 10 min/mile for the final 2 miles, ending the run at 1 hour, 22 minutes and some change, with just the one bathroom break.  *whew*

My January total mileage was 56 miles, and I’m chugging through February pretty good.  I find this month to be one of the hardest–no, the hardest–month of the year to get through.  March usually sees better temps, more sunlight, and more things to do.  I have a 1 mile race against my co-workers in March, and a friend’s wedding to go to also.  I just need things to look forward to!

OK, so I’ve been wanting to finish this post for nearly 2 weeks.  Today is 2/21.  I want to do a separate post for the 5K I ran this morning, so I’ll do that next.  However, I wanted to contrast the past Sunday’s run with the 70* eight-miler I spoke of earlier.  It was 15* and this is what I wore:

That is, a pair of leggings with pants over them, an Under Armor cold gear shirt, a vest, this Army Crew jacket, ski gloves, my baklava from Norway (that black thing on my face!), and my hat from Germany that Gabe says looks like an Elsa hat 🙂  Geez!  I felt a little crazy running in that weather (it was super windy too!) but with hubby leaving for a business trip, and the YMCA not open til noon on Sundays… I had to do what I had to do.  So I ran.  And I’m glad I did.  The day was bright & sunshiney, like last week’s… with a 55 degree temperature change.  No big deal!

When in doubt, run.  Granted it was only a 4-miler that day, but I always feel better after I run.

Have a great Sunday!