Terrible Run!

For the rest of the day, I will be followed by the ghost of this morning's terrible run. The plan was simple: dress warm, (5 degrees out) and jog for an easy 3.1 miles. I did it last Sunday in Somerville without trying and averaged sub 9-minute miles. Understandably, I thought I could stand up to the elements today and I straight could not.

Seriously! What the hell! I am a good runner! Though in light of the day's disaster, perhaps I should specify that I am a good "barefoot" runner. (For the record, I do not run barefoot but my many times aforementioned FiveFingers give the same idea). And what I did today was "dress warm" and kept my socks on for a run for the first time since August. Clunky and heavy-footed, always concentrating on my stride on the uneven shoes, refusing to give in to the heel-strike I've rejected in my training and I forgot about breathing. I cramped up three times and was forced to walk, unable to conquer the demons with mind over matter. I swore when I sweat through my first layer and did a strange cult-like dressing and removing my hat and gloves as various parts of my body began to go numb.

I wanted to score three simple miles for the winter training log but it seems I have much to learn. The plan tomorrow then is to reduce my mileage and dress slightly lighter than I'd like the second I walk outside. I don't anticipate Portsmouth remaining in the single digits like this all winter but I want to be prepared for the times it does. I also need to find a suitable winter alternative to my FiveFingers.

When I started this blog, I concentrated a lot on the foods I was eating, demonstrating and often illustrating my healthy choices in the stead of starchy, sugary - or both type of foods. I have come to realize that I will never rid myself of my ice cream cravings and that a beer or three every once in a while is nothing I intend to give up for a decade or so. But with these exceptions, I consistently and more importantly, voluntarily ingest more fruits and vegetables than ever. Consider yesterday's lunch: whole wheat cereal with almonds and fat-free yogurt. Dinner was a tall vegetable pizza made from whole wheat dough. Two nights ago, B-May and I dined on a wild mushroom fricasse with tempeh. It's what we shop for and what we eat. Once the Halloween candy is gone and the holidays have passed, we'll be out snowshoeing or running or swimming or whatever burning more calories than we can eat! Well, hopefully not but the picture looking to 2010 is that of health and frivolity be it on a trail or at a bar with friends. I look forward to keeping my diet, standing out from my friends and brothers during the Christmas break and maintaining a consistent and strong running schedule. Triathlon season will be here soon and I'm determined to be ready for it!

Later!