Forget Running Shoes - It Snowed!

Winter finally made an appearance here in Nebraska on Friday night. After a few weeks of temperatures well above normal, we awoke on Saturday morning to nearly 10 inches of snow blanketing the landscape! When I say blanket, that's literally what it appears to be too - not the usual drifting snow that Nebraska is known for - this snow piled in evergreen trees and broke branches, and looks like frosting on top of the bushes at several parks. The wet heavy snow made a mess of thing for a short time on Saturday morning, but by Saturday afternoon we were outside playing in the snow.

The only snag I ran in to was my running routine. Sunday is traditionally my day for a long run, but with that much snow, there wasn't much chance of finding a clear trail, sidewalk or even a street that would work for an extended distance. A few inches of snow mixed with ice can make running a little more difficult but I have a pair of 'yak traks' for days like that. When the snow is mid-shin deep, there just isn't much hope of completing any run worthy of being considered beneficial.

So, Sunday morning I dusted off my snowshoes and ventured out into the elements. The first thing I realized - I overdressed. Within half a mile of starting I had already taken off my hat and gloves and I was opening the air vent zippers on my heavy coat to circulate as much air as possible. I should have known better, I run in shorts and a long sleeve shirt in temperatures as cool as 25° F . Why would I need a heavy coat at 30° F when I am doing the equivalent of running?

With the exception of overdressing, the hike went pretty well. Around 3.5 miles I could feel a blister rubbing on my left heal, but decided to not call for a ride home - I'd just tough it out for another 2.5 miles. That was a bad choice, I'm going to need to let that blister heal for a day or two before even thinking about putting on my running shoes!

By the time I made it home, my legs were pretty darn tired and I was starting to become dehydrated. My shirt and coat liner were soaked from sweat. In fact, I had trouble seeing for the last few miles because of all the sweat getting in my eyes! When I weighed myself I had lost nearly 8 pounds! I basically felt like I had run a half marathon, and from all indications I equivalently had.

All that after only 5.85 miles! Too bad we don't see more snow like this in the winters - I could really go for some more snowshoeing, but perhaps I would prepare myself a little better.I took my GPS along so I could get an idea of how far I had gone. The map of my route shows a graph with my speed and elevation profile as well. I kept my pace around 3 mph for the most part, with the exception of a few breaks to take pictures and to rest for a few moments to wipe my eyes of sweat and generally just rest for a moment. After I took a thirty minute nap, I felt like I could recover enough to make it through the rest of my day. I suspect that is the land, and only, snowshoe trip I will be taking for the winter season, so I made sure I got my fill of it. I would love to have another big snowfall to snowshoe, but I also need to think about getting in some good long runs before the half marathon too. Now less than four months away!

Until again
-=Nolan=-

Running & the Woo-Hoo Factor

OH BAAABY! Wooo-Hooooo! Ah-oouh! Those are just a few of the remarks heard from passing vehicles as I trot along on the sidewalk lately... Not to mention some whistling and other remarks not suitable for young ears - usually referring to anatomical features of disproportional representation. Perhaps the tried and true "Run Forrest, Run!" is losing it's grip on passing motorists - I don't hear it much these days. Has Forrest Gump aged to the point that the younger generations won't quote it? These types of societal changes are the types of things I think about while I'm out running...

It's been amazingly nice, weather wise, here in Nebraska this winter and that has resulted in a lot of motorists driving around with their windows down...which means us outdoor fitness warriors have been receiving a lot more compliments from those passing motorists. Usually summer is prime time for fitness folk to don skimpier athletic clothing and take to the sidewalks and trails to show off toned bodies and slender figures - we know the motorists appreciate our healthy efforts from their verbal suggestions and long stares. However, the unseasonably warm temperatures lately have allowed us to stay out in force and so the Woo-Hoo Factor, as I call it, has been reaffirmed for an extended period of time. Let me explain:

The Woo-Hoo Factor is just as it sounds. Motorists, typically but not limited to members of the opposite sex, often signal their nearby presence with an audible announcement. This announcement is usually made from within a darkened vehicle interior as viewed through a tinted window, however there are also those brave souls who like to project their upper body out of the window and wave their limbs in what appears to be an uncontrollable manner; all-the-while screaming with excitement as though they may have just won the lottery.

I have great appreciation for these people. They keep my seemingly boring fitness routine interesting. If anything, I have something to think about for a few minutes and if I'm lucky I will run another mile without passing much thought about the distance - mostly just the remarkably strange manner in which I was just complemented.

Now that I think about it, perhaps I don't miss Forrest Gump so much after all. It's time for a new movie to take the spotlight of runner lore and become the new quotable quotient...the Woo-Hoo Factor could use some new terms of endearment.

Until again

-=Nolan=-