Time Change

I missed it too. I thought I was waking up at the usual time, and I had actually slept in, with out even sleeping that extra hour. I was up and moving before I actually realized it, and a look outside really didn't excite my enthusiasm. The weather had turned the night before, in fact it was near white out about the time I went to bed, and I could barely see across the street.

I figured the weather would be keeping me in, with that wind chill. I went out for my morning coffee, and was surprised to find that it wasn't that bad. There was the threat of low temps and high wind chills, but not bad at all. So I felt more like getting out.

I got home, and was about to change into my running gear, when a message from the L n K suggested I get my backside out there. How could I argue with that?

There had been enough traffic to pack some of the snow on the side streets, so running there was preferable to the ankle deep powder on the sidewalks. The only moment that really stood out for the run was right when I got to Cresent Road. A lady in mini-van was parked against the curb with her window cracked open, puffing furiously on a cigarette while applying makeup. Not just a little dabbing, but with the big brush, and all the supplies lined up on the dash. At least she'd pulled over first.

I took Nony's Awful Little Hill down to the Centre Street bridge. It was the only stretch I encountered that hadn't been plowed and it wasn't too bad, but I was going down hill at the time.

Once off the bridge and on the promenade, I faced the wind full on. It again wasn't as bad as I expected, but still it wasn't comfortable during the first walk break. And as usual, after that, it didn't bother me much at all.

The run from there wasn't too eventful. Cold and the wind were constant. Coming out from under Crowchild, I hit that stretch that has nothing to slow down the breeze, and I could feel my chin start to get a little numb. Also, the tip of my tongue got a little tingly.

The only other stretch that the wind was troublesome on, was at Point MacKay. Nothing but a nearly empty parking lot between me and the wind. Fortunately, my turn around is right there, the loop around Angel's Cafe.

Like the last few runs, the return toward downtown was when I really loosened up and began to get some speed. I've been getting into some kind of zone, where I have great turnover in my pace and a bit longer stride than usual, so I was running down around 5:10 to 5:15 per kilometre. It makes the second half of the run go by quick.

At The Stairs, I managed to keep the running pace all the way up, but still pretty slow by the top. And then back along Cresent Road for awhile before turning home.

Distance: 16.20 Time: 1:30:00
Average speed: 5:33 min/km. (11.58 kph)
Rest distance: .9661 km. Rest time: 9:30.
Total distance: 17.17 km. Total time: 1:39:30.

Shoes: Asics GT-2130.
Today's earworm: none today.

Weather: Mostly cloudy and -16C.