This could also be called the "it wasn't pretty but I survived" run. Or actually walk as it turned out to be. I didn't think a run could be much worse than last week's snow filled run but I was wrong. Take a path filled with icy, slushy mess, add in hail and wind and you get a recipe for disaster.
But let's start at the beginning. I had 12 miles on the docket for today. I had hoped the promised rain would have swept through and melted the snow off the path. I wasn't sure where would be the best place to run but I figured my normal trail was as good as any. I arrived and was greeted with sloppy, slushy, icy remnants of snow covering the path. It was quite slippery and I started off nice and slow. It did cross my mind that I should take this inside and on the treadmill, but I quickly said no as I can't imagine doing 12 miles on a treadmill. (More power to those who can!)
It finally cleared out enough that I didn't have to watch each step. Of course it was around this time when I swear it started hailing. Ugh - hail, really? After a long stretch of good path, it started getting worse. And worse. I was walking on the grass at this point, as it was much easier to keep my balance and not slip. I finally turned around when I didn't see it was going to get any better.
I really hadn't run very much at this point, thinking it was much safer to walk. When I got back to the most clear part of the path, I doubled back and made up my missing mileage, running where I could. I had about 2 miles left when the wind started up. Sure why not? It was a strong cross-wind. And I was so done at that point. I gave up any pretense of trying to run. I was ready to sit down on the path and cry. Except then I would have been even more wet than I already was. I was wet, cold, and in pain. Only two miles left, only two miles left kept running through my head. I got to the last messy, really ice patch and slowed down considerably. And I could feel my body shutting down. Finally, mercifully I was done. These weren't the best miles I've done, but I'm hoping getting 12 miles in, regardless of the type of miles, will help.
In the good news category? I finished (barely) in under 3 hours which was my goal. And helps with my confidence for next week.
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