Chillin'

Today's Run: 9.01 miles through Bath (Work)
Time Finished: 67 minutes, 10 seconds (7 minutes, 27 seconds per mile)
Type of Run: Easy - moderate effort
Miles this week: 24.91

It's a bit...brisk out there.

I resisted the urge to run in dangerous windchills yesterday (mostly it was an all-day service call that stopped me) but I haven't missed mich of a beat even with the frigid temps and dance show. The miles this week are down slightly but I should be able to approach 40 again this week.

This run was not easy at the start - in fact this is true for all runs at 20 degrees or colder. When the muscles aren't warmed, I begin to question my sanity. After a few miles, I figured there isn't enough sanity left to care and just keep going. There are parts that do not feel good in a sharp windchill (for modesty's sake I'll refrain from mentioning where) but that's why I get the extra layers on. When I eventually warm up, the run actually begins to feel good. The tears streak the face in a wind gust and evaporate/freeze within seconds. The air is so dry and cold that no water can exist in liquid form for long. If I don't completely cover the ears, I will inevitably get an earache (fortunately they have been covered this year).

I won't sugar-coat it: it's brutal out there. I would not recommend these conditions for outdoor running until you've been doing it for a while or have someone go with you in case something bad happens. While it's alright during the run, you do not want to get caught outside if you can't run anymore and your body temperature starts to drop. Bad things happen.

This, however, is winter running in Maine. Here, it's always go time.