Getting Out

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runnings
I feel like I’ve been running inside a bit too much lately. I don’t want to end up never quite acclimating and missing out on enjoying winter running so I got out today in the 18 degree temperature and 4 degree wind-chill. Although I was a bit uncomfortable, it wasn’t the temperature that I had to fight but the paths and sidewalks instead. I still believe the city of Minneapolis does well clearing paths after snow falls, but it looks like the recent heavy snow, melting, rain and refreezing was a new match. The paths were cleared but the ruts and patches of ice forced a bit of creative weaving in my running. Several blocks were glare ice and as I attempted to run in the snow next to the sidewalk I realized I not only looked a bit silly but was bound to twist or tweak something so I slowed to a walk, or more of a trudge. It still felt good to be outside but I need to either make sure I finish before sundown or start bringing a balaclava.

Dear Diary

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I recently came across my diary from 5th grade. Besides noting my horrible handwriting and poor spelling, it is interesting to see what was important to me. Every day for the first half of the year I ended my diary entry with a note of which stuffed animal I slept with. I still have a fondness of adorable, happy stuffed animals, but when I was younger they were very important to me and I wanted to treat them fairly. When reading my diary it reminded me of when I was even younger and trying to figure out how to make sure each stuffed animal had a chance to sleep with me. I first tried lining them up along side me down the length of my bed, rotating which was at the top, but decided they surely weren’t getting enough air. Apparently by 4th grade I’d moved to one stuffed animal at a time, but still with a strong sense of fairness. Midway through the year, however, I ended a diary entry with "I'm not going to write down which stuffed animal I slept with anymore."

runnings

Speed Up

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runnings
One of three things appears to be happening, and whichever it is, the result seems to be I’m getting faster. Either I truly do run better in the cold, all the crazy things in the air causing my breathing issues are now frozen allowing me to breathe easier and run harder, or I’m simply in better shape than I thought. I think it might be the first and a bit of the second. Since the temperature has dropped I’ve found myself running at a quicker pace and I can even feel myself holding a bit of a different form. I don’t seem to be pulling myself along as much. My mileage isn’t incredibly high at the moment so perhaps I’m more refreshed, but I believe I just don’t feel the drain of overheating. I still need some convincing to get myself out under 20 degrees, but at least I might not be out there as long.