Jan 22, 2008

snow & repeats

snow and repeats do not jive well together. now, i have sung the praises of running in the snow many times here. i adore everything about it, the crunch, the smell and the way it all looks & feels. i woke up this morning to a light blanket over everything, and while i couldn't wait to get out and run in it; school was delayed, so i let myself sleep in a bit. but i have now discovered the one thing that i do not like about running in the snow. and that would be running mile repeats in it.

on the first lap, i found myself watching cars as they approached the stop sign at the intersection and wondering if they would actually stop in time or skid into my path. i'm always amused by the white knuckled drivers, hunched over their steering wheels, terrified of the half inch of snow on the ground. they never quite know what to do. the first lap was slow. crazy slow for a mile repeat. the best surface for running wasn't always right in front of me, just moving under my feet as always; i constantly needed to weave and bob to seek it out, it changed every block. the slush was too slippery, as was the packed snow. the fresh snow was best, but was so far off to the side of the road, that i would run on it & not be able to see the tiny ditch in the road where it ended and met the grass. i had to save myself from falling more than once. and when a car did indeed skid right through a stop sign in front of me, and i could feel my toes slipping every time i picked my foot up, i knew it was all just a recipe for a twisted ankle. and 18 days before my plan b marathon, it all felt just a little too risky. so in an unprecedented move, after just two laps, i just scrapped the whole workout and resolved to finish later, knowing that any sort of snow and slush on the streets don't last very long around here. so i ran home trying to stay on the fresh and undisturbed snow that offered a bit more traction. and when you aren't trying to go blazes fast, and when you are the first one to make tracks in it running on snow is still bliss. trying to run fast on it? not so much.

9 comments:

Nancy said...

Nice restraint!! :D You need to stay healthy.

Vickie said...

Yes, I know! See why winter cramps my style! Better safe than sorry. I can tell you, the last thing you want is a sprained ankle this close to the race.

zanne said...

oh vickie – i know … i totally thought of you today!! we get snow so infrequently, and when we do, i am usually out early enough to be running on the fresh fallen stuff that offers more traction. i left too late in the morning & the cars had already messed with the blissful mojo of the snow. now i get what everyones' been yammering about with the snow. the key, i think is - you gotta beat everyone else to it. easier said than done sometimes though, i know!

Laurel said...

I don't know how you guys do it in the snow like that. It's 80 degrees down here!

Anonymous said...

You know, in general I'm in awe of your finish the run no matter what attitude, but I'm relieved to hear you cut it short today. Why risk a twisted ankle or worse this close to race day!

Amy@RunnersLounge said...

darn snow....I am just about ready to ditch it all and head to summer so I can start complaining about the heat. :}

Seriously..snow has made running more challenging this winter - hope it clears up soon.

zanne said...

amy - i hear you ... since we rarely get it & i am always dying for it, i never thought the day would come that i would complain about it! i do have to say that i'd still choose running in the snow & cold over running in the brutal heat & humidity of the summer. i feel like you can at least bundle up against the cold. then again, if i lived where you did, i am sure i would sing a different tune!

Gotta Run..... said...

Now that was one hardcore workout. Snow is one thing but repeats along with it... wild!

You days are passing by fast. i am getting excited for you!

zanne said...

robin, have to admit there was nothing hardcore about it. i was slow as shit & i quit after two of them. but, you can totally be my cheerleader any day!!!