Got up expecting a slow outdoors run this morning, and unfortunately I was too sleepy to change course and get saddled up for a run on the treadie. Even though it wasn’t snowing when I started around 5:50, there was a layer of slushy accumulation which meant my feet were slipping with each step. By the time I’d run 2 miles it was snowing hard and a crusty strip of ice had formed along my hairline, where my forehead was plowing into the wind. By the time I’d run 4 miles a little snow-peaked cap of ice had adhered to the space between my pigtails (clearly, I was not wearing a hat). For safety, I was running in the street toward traffic in my life green jacket, and twice a car drove by with such malice–not closely, just meanly–that it sent a shocking spray of gray freezing slush against my shins. m
Adding injury to insult*, afterwards my adductor brevis immediately began hurting in that burny, not-just-muscle-sore kind of way. So I postponed Wednesday morning’s run with AC and made an appointment with the acupuncturist for this evening instead. Now I’m soaking in an epsom salt** bath as I type this, hoping that the pins, bath and day of rest will knock this pain out and have me back running this weekend. 4.02 miles ran in 40:04. Average pace 9:58; fastest mile 9:43; sloest mile 10:23.
There’s nothing like the unexpected visit from a friend you thought you’d long ago cut out of your life, eh?
*Just to be fair, I will admit that as I ran up Skillman Avenue on my second time around my neighborhood loop, I looked up to see the black tree branches covered in fluffy white snow, and appreciated that beauty. It wasn’t entirely bad to be out running in the snow, even though I felt pretty stupid and embarrassed every time a car drove by.
**What the heck is an epsom salt anyway? The bit about tofu coagulents really freaks me out.
Pigtails Flying 
Wow! You went out in this? You’re a rock star for sure! Way to get the job done and embrace the epsom salt bath and all it’s weirdness…yet another perk of being a runner. nice job, queens!
I”m scared to read about the epsom salt now…Should I click on that link or not…hmmm
I thought about running this morning but I didn’t for the reasons your described. Slush being flung at me? no thanks. Ice in my hair? burrr.
Hope that your acupuncture and salt bath make you feel nice again!
Hope you’re OK & that the acupuncture + epsom salts are curing what ails ya. My grandma always swore by epsom salts (of course, she was also always trying to get me to swallow a spoonful of cod liver oil… which was gross, but old ladies back then were ahead of their time in knowing the health benefits of fish oil).
I got out of work tonight and was sliding away on the frozen slush… not a good day/night for a run. Props to you for getting out there and enduring the slush & splashing.
I’ve signed up for the Haiti run and hope for good weather that day.
You are brave to run in these conditions. Much as I hate the treadmill, I can’t deal with wet shoes, slippery roads and crazy drivers.
My adductor also goes nuts when I combine very cold temps with any hint of instability. But only the right one. 🙂
We go through bath salts in our house like we go through milk. You can buy it in bulk on Amazon — a 20 lb. bag lasts awhile.
Good luck with the four miler this weekend!
Julie, thank you–this is very comforting! My itty bitty brevi feels much better this morning–not 100% but I think I will be able to run tomorrow (on a treadie) with no issues. Will you be at the GMR Happy Hour tomorrow? (Say “Yes!”)
I’m sorry to say that I won’t. I’ve got a conf. call tomorrow evening with people on the other side of the planet. Plus I have doubles scheduled…ugh. I’d rather be drinking with you all.
Have fun. At least I’m an alternate rather than a bonafide dwarf.
I can’t believe you ran in the muck yesterday! That is dedication. I have run outside exactly twice in the last two months; one, a race in Central Park, and another where I almost froze in Boston. So I admire the effort, for sure.
It was a mistake for me to have run yesterday, as I aggravated an old injury. I shld have gone to the gym but was too stupid & slow at 5:30 AM to get my wits together and change plans.
I have felt horrible all day about missing my run yesterday morning (I was so tired, I just had to be lazy and get the extra sleep), but after reading your post, I’m thinking maybe it wasn’t so bad that I missed it…
I admire you with the force of about a thousand suns. You have no idea how much freaking dedication you have. I have EQUAL dedication but it is, however unfortunate, towards cigarettes and wine. I am still car-free though, so I balance out, yes?
Running in the snow is always better after you are done. 🙂