Objective: easy/recovery + fighting mental battle to run in winter conditions Weather: Thanks to this website that gives more accurate neighborhood weather, I can be more specific now: 25F, wind 24 mph gusting to 40, wind chill ~10F. Partly sunny, thin layer of snow on top of lots of ice, a few bare patches. OK, so it's me against Winter now, and one of us is goin' down. Or... we might just make peace and be friends. But today, as I looked out at the frigid dawn, I could have sworn Old Man Winter was taunting me. (Did he just call me "treadmill carrion" or was that the wind?) It was war -- the gloves were going to have to come off! Or rather on, as the case may be. True, it's a record low for December around here, but things aren't so bad. For one thing, it is not technically snowing although a lot of snow is blowing around. Furthermore, it is a gorgeous morning. And it's icy, but I was able to find plenty of rough spots and snowy places to put my foot. (Just for record, Yaktrax are wonderful unless it is solid, bare ice.) Today's run was great practice for January when I'll have plenty of ice, longer harder workouts, and no cheery xmas lawn decorations to lift my spirits. My quest and my vow is to keep running outside unless I have a speed work day scheduled and it is icy. The laws of Physics must be respected. For my own records, today's attire (from the ground up): Yaktrax on my Nikes, Smartwool socks, Sugoi Midzero tights (needed one more layer on legs), unmentionables, Smartwool top, Brooks fleece top, Cycling jacket (impenetrable), Nike gortex cap, fleece Balaclava, Smartwool gloves + Nathan neoprene LED gloves.
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