Eyelash Icicles!

12 miles @ 6 am. 10 degrees.

I was nervous about today's long run for a couple of reasons:

1. It has been less than a week since the last long run - I had to move today's up since I wouldn't be able to do it this weekend.
2. I've had 2 very quality (read: hard) runs Monday and Tuesday and was actually a little sore from them. I haven't been sore from a run for a while now.
3. It was cold. Like, whoa.

I set out at 6 am under a clear, deep blue sky, still dotted with fading stars. The first couple of miles were between brutal and just plain difficult. I couldn't get warm. My popsicle-feeling hands were stuffed in not-so-warm gloves, then tucked into my jacket sleeves pulled tightly over them. I realized I had forgotten a key to the apartment. It just wasn't clicking today. I tried to perk myself up a bit, tried to bounce to the music, let my mind wander from the horrid cold and stiff legs. After a torturous 3.8 miles on sidewalk, I reached the actual road. I felt good finally. I realized something - I tend to feel confined, tense, when I have to run on the sidewalk. I'm not sure why. Running on the shoulder of the road I just felt... free! ("Now I'm freeeeeee.... Freeeee faaaaalliiiinn'!")

I'm a strange bird.

By mile 5 the sun had finally started to warm me and my hands emerged from hiding in my sleeves. My eyes watered every time I found the wind when I reached the top of the hills and created little icicles that covered bits of my eyelashes. I'm pretty sure they stuck to my cheek at one point.

A little over halfway through, the arch on my left foot started to "click" (as I call it). I used to have arch pain a while back, but started to wear "Superfeet" insoles. They are awesome. With this pain happening again, I tried to recall when I had bought the ones I am currently using. I couldn't remember. Yup, time to buy another expensive ($30 bucks!) pair to hopefully stop feeling that click before it gets worse. They have definitely been worth the price in the past. Let's hope it continues.

By the time I got back home, I felt like a rockstar. It wasn't the most fabulous run I have ever been on, but I stayed true to my goal of ENJOYING running, even when things weren't going my way.

Now it's time to pack my bag for tomorrow's bike to work. I'll probably go 4ish on the treadmill for an easy "recovery run". Sounds fabulous.