Dashing Through the Snow

Today's Run: 7.34 miles through Yarmouth (Home)
Time Finished: 56 minutes, 44 seconds (7 minutes, 44 seconds per mile)
Type of Run: Easy - moderate effort
Miles this week: 16.24


In case you haven't heard, southern Maine is getting pummeled by a snowstorm this morning. I came into work at Bowdoin College only to be told that I should head home. At 10AM, I did just that.

After a dangerously slow drive home, I made a spontaneous decision. Over a year ago, I had purchased YakTrax to use in the winter and never used it last year. This year I was determined to get its first use after some snow. What better time to use it than during a snowstorm. Putting them on took minimal effort and the track was actually quite comfortable and event out the weight distribution on my foot to the point where I barely felt anything different under my feet. The traction, as expected, was superb, providing no slippage at all and little traction loss in up to 3 inches of snow. I'm definitely sold on these.

Anyway, the run itself - it started out pretty crappy, I must admit. It was approaching 30 degrees but the wind was biting and the snow stung my face as the first leg of my route put my face right in it. For almost two miles I endured it and wondered if I should turn around and run back. I forced myself ahead and once I turned on to Granite Street my body (chiefly my face) felt a lot better and my adrenaline steadily increased.

I ran this with a lot of energy and, even with a slight traction loss, a lot of speed. This run was actually exciting as it was my first big run in the middle of a snowstorm. The YakTrax gave me a lot of confidence too as I had nothing to fear from slipping. I timed the plow trucks, stopping myself at a driveway before it came by. This was one of my bigger concerns but it wasn't an issue at all.

Half my body was chapped and red from the run but that's no surprise - any run colder than 30 degrees will do that to me. I was soaked from the melted/refrozen snow but it felt really good.

I'm going to really like winter running this year.