This weekend I was lamenting to Aaron that I didn't think I was going to get a chance to enjoy a Christmas light run before everyone took down their lights. And then to my great surprise today through the fluffy beautiful snowflakes falling, I noticed that the temp would be.... kinda warm.... after work. And the wind would be... almost non-existent. 30 degrees that actually feels like 30 degrees.... I might be in love with you! For the record I haven't ran outside in South Dakota since before Thanksgiving. Wow.
I came home and got super excited to put on my new running coat. I figured since it was a Christmas run, I would take my new coat picture in front of my Christmas tree. It only seems natural. I loaded up my iPod with Glee Christmas songs and I was out the door.
I had no plan for time/mileage/route and headed for the southwest side of town thinking that if the sidewalks were bad I could run in the street (very low traffic/residential area). Immediately I knew the run was going to be slow going. The two blocks surrounding my apartment were free and clear of snow, but there were a good 3" of slush and snow from there on out. At one point I had to detour in to a parking lot and through snow drifts behind a business to reroute from the 3 feet of snow drifts covering the sidewalk. When I made my way back to the sidewalk I found again that it was blocked. I had no choice but to run on the road...... oh hai super busy street in town at night. Sure glad my new running coat is WHITE SO YOU CAN SEE ME. DON'T WANT TO DIE KTHXBAI. (That's me trying to be cool like The Angry Runner, FYI.)
I received one honk from a big city truck which I like to think meant "Cute new coat Jerbear!" and not "You stupid idiot you're going to get struck and die!" To which I would reply, "If you did your job and enforced the snow removal policies I wouldn't have to....neener neener!" But these are just hypothetical conversations, naturally.
I saw some houses that had some great light displays. I found an all green light house (my fave, duh) and one with a movable blow up carousal in their yard (impressive). I have many many "Naughty List" notices that are going out in tomorrow's mail to the a-holes who clearly haven't scooped their sidewalks since before I left for Vegas (that's right, I measured your snow accumulation....shape up!). I chattered merrily to the folks out scooping their sidewalks when I ran by. I like to think positive reinforcement helps, no?
My knees and hips started to huuuuuuuurt about 4 miles in to the run from all the slipping and sliding around. I contemplated rockin' out some snow angels to get some icing in, but thought people would think I am loco.
The whole time I was running, I was so very proud of myself for not looking at my time or distance on my garmin (because A) I knew it was slow, and B) really didn't care how far I was going). And was even more proud that I wasn't having anxiety over finishing the run at an obscure amount (ie: anything other than .0, .25, .5, .75). Go figure, when I was a block from home I heard my Garmin beep for the first time the whole run, and decided to just stop there. OCD....you win this time......
I did 7 miles in 1:15:40 for a pace of 11 something. The last 5 blocks that were completely clear (near a hospital building, so go figure) I averaged a 8:35 pace. Snow = not easy. :)
I got to combine two of my favorite things: running + Christmas....and could not be happier about it. I'm fairly certain that I'm so obsessed about Christmas because I had to wait a full 364 days to celebrate my first one!!! NOT FAIR.
In addition to the sweet Christmas lights, I also counted birthday candles that people had out to celebrate ME! When I was little, I always used to think that the Noel candles people had on their porches were for me and Jesus' birthday! Well, that stuck, and I still get all sorts of excited when I see them. I found two different households with them, for a grand total of 5. I'll probably have to find another 22 before Sunday (or my OCD will, I should say....).
I had no plan for time/mileage/route and headed for the southwest side of town thinking that if the sidewalks were bad I could run in the street (very low traffic/residential area). Immediately I knew the run was going to be slow going. The two blocks surrounding my apartment were free and clear of snow, but there were a good 3" of slush and snow from there on out. At one point I had to detour in to a parking lot and through snow drifts behind a business to reroute from the 3 feet of snow drifts covering the sidewalk. When I made my way back to the sidewalk I found again that it was blocked. I had no choice but to run on the road...... oh hai super busy street in town at night. Sure glad my new running coat is WHITE SO YOU CAN SEE ME. DON'T WANT TO DIE KTHXBAI. (That's me trying to be cool like The Angry Runner, FYI.)
I received one honk from a big city truck which I like to think meant "Cute new coat Jerbear!" and not "You stupid idiot you're going to get struck and die!" To which I would reply, "If you did your job and enforced the snow removal policies I wouldn't have to....neener neener!" But these are just hypothetical conversations, naturally.
I saw some houses that had some great light displays. I found an all green light house (my fave, duh) and one with a movable blow up carousal in their yard (impressive). I have many many "Naughty List" notices that are going out in tomorrow's mail to the a-holes who clearly haven't scooped their sidewalks since before I left for Vegas (that's right, I measured your snow accumulation....shape up!). I chattered merrily to the folks out scooping their sidewalks when I ran by. I like to think positive reinforcement helps, no?
My knees and hips started to huuuuuuuurt about 4 miles in to the run from all the slipping and sliding around. I contemplated rockin' out some snow angels to get some icing in, but thought people would think I am loco.
The whole time I was running, I was so very proud of myself for not looking at my time or distance on my garmin (because A) I knew it was slow, and B) really didn't care how far I was going). And was even more proud that I wasn't having anxiety over finishing the run at an obscure amount (ie: anything other than .0, .25, .5, .75). Go figure, when I was a block from home I heard my Garmin beep for the first time the whole run, and decided to just stop there. OCD....you win this time......
I did 7 miles in 1:15:40 for a pace of 11 something. The last 5 blocks that were completely clear (near a hospital building, so go figure) I averaged a 8:35 pace. Snow = not easy. :)
I got to combine two of my favorite things: running + Christmas....and could not be happier about it. I'm fairly certain that I'm so obsessed about Christmas because I had to wait a full 364 days to celebrate my first one!!! NOT FAIR. In addition to the sweet Christmas lights, I also counted birthday candles that people had out to celebrate ME! When I was little, I always used to think that the Noel candles people had on their porches were for me and Jesus' birthday! Well, that stuck, and I still get all sorts of excited when I see them. I found two different households with them, for a grand total of 5. I'll probably have to find another 22 before Sunday (or my OCD will, I should say....).
I got my first birthday present in the mail from Danielle this weekend. YAY! So so so cute. And I was surprised that she sent the green and gold prior to GB v. Pats match up (sadly they didn't help us get the W, at least it was a good game!) Thanks so much Danielle, you're ze best. 
I also came home to a bunch of fun Holiday cards today.......
Miss Susan, Jason, and one of my BFFs Nikki. I also had my free birthday drink coupon from starbucks!!!! Oh pumpkin spice latte, I'm a-comin' for you.
And I found this gem when I was putting up my Christmas decorations this year.... my original stocking. Part of me wants to find some white felt and add the missing 40 to the end. Twitter love, right? ;) #SuchADork