My First Winter/Snow Run

One week ago we finally had our first significant snow fall in Central Illinois and I was itching to get out there and run. I must be a runner because this is the first time I've ever wanted to run in the snow. I'm sure also the injury had something to do with this, either way, rain, sleet, sun or snow, I want to do one thing, run!

First a quick update on my running rehab, I am now into my week 4 of rehab and today was able to add on another mile and did  my first 4 miler. I'm really looking forward to Friday when I begin my 5th and final rehab week and get to do 5 and even 6 mile runs. This was my average daily mileage before the injury so I am anxious to get back to that. Plus, next week I can finally begin my 14 weeks of marathon training. More info on the marathon will be coming soon, I promise.

My first snow run was to be along Grandview Drive here in Peoria, as it's supposed to be the most beautiful run in Peoria. I do run the drive frequently but have never done a snow run anywhere so I had to go big the first one, that's how you get hooked after all. I planned to do that run a week ago Friday, however my stupid self got over zealous with the snow shovel and decided to shovel my drive instead. It took me longer than expected and time wasn't on my side to do the run, so it would have to wait for the next snowfall. Luckily it didn't have to wait long as we were blessed with about an inch of snow on Wednesday night and on Thursday, which was also one of the coldest days this winter, I layered and laced up and hit the road. I did a 5k that did include a very short stint on Grandview Drive and it was everything I had hoped it would be. It was peaceful and gorgeous and everything just seemed still and calm, it was me and the streets. I paid no attention to my pace, I just soaked in everything that the run was. I loved how much it made my legs burn and how focused I was on just my run and the run alone. I'm hooked on winter/snow running.

I wish I could say this is where the story ends, but I can't. I learned an extremely valuable lesson at the end of this run. As I was finishing up my run and walking into the house I took my brand new iTouch out of my belt pouch not only to stop my Nike+ but also so I could snap a photo, as I pulled it from the case it slipped from my cold fingers and shattered. For those of you who don't have a touch, once the screen is broken (its made of glass) the ipod will no longer work because the LCD screen and glass are all one piece. I hadn't even had the ipod for a month and not only that it was Christmas present from Matt and its a gift I could never afford on my own. My heartbreak, disappointment and frustration cannot be described. But I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. I called him immediately and he kept reassuring me that it was an accident and they happen and I shouldn't worry about it, it was okay, he's not mad and he would find a way to fix it. And he did. I could attempt to replace the glass on my own but honestly neither of us are very smart with that kind of stuff so we found a place that is an authorized apple replacement center that is fixing it for a pretty reasonable price. The downfall is I am with out music for a while but I'm okay with that. I think the reason it broke was because the ipod its self was so cold and so was the ground and even the case on it wasn't enough to protect it. When i get it back we are going to see if we can find a better case for it but either way I wont be removing it from the safety belt until I'm safe inside and on a soft surface.

Anyhoo, Matty and I went out today for my first 4 miler and it was again wonderful. Like each run where I add mileage there was some tightness and discomfort in the gluetus maximus but not like before. Plus this run included one of Peoria's famous hills, Bishop Hill, and to do that route and feel the discomfort when I did is another sign that this runner is back!

26.2 I'll see you soon!