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I rarely take a shortcut home. Out of literally thousands of runs, I have never done this unless forced to out of injury. It’s not out of virtue, it’s from a lack of imagination. When I’m tired enough to be tempted by a shortcut, I’m sufficiently oxygen-deprived that I’m unable to work out how to do it. Somehow, my feeble mind did solve that puzzle today. It worked out to a difference of about a quarter mile, which is less than 3 minutes.
Remarkably, I don’t regret it. Moreover, I feel it was worth it, because it was that cold. The thermometer and the weather station say it’s warmer today than yesterday, but they lie. Even now, after changing every article of clothing right down to my underwear, using a hair dryer to warm my head and hands, and two steaming mugs of tea later, I’m convinced I’ll never train for a spring marathon, not even Boston.
Okay, maybe Boston.
However, until that day comes I’m going to explore the value of doing doubles vs. long runs, if I have to stay here in TO much longer.
When I went out it was 9*F with a 16 mph wind. The wind chill temp was supposed to be -22*F, but I think I’ve stopped believing in wind chill. Maybe it’s because I’m usually pretty good about facing the wind on the outbound leg, or maybe my runs these days aren’t long enough for me to face the wind for more than about a mile, I always end up too hot when I dress for the wind chill temperature. That’s right, too hot. I sweat more than the average pig about to go to slaughter, so it’s not unusual for my running bra to be heavy with sweat even when it’s just in the ‘teens outside. I didn’t do that today, and it was great!
Just this morning I was looking at all the Torontonians who had posted 10+K runs, wearing that suspicious bravado Canadians seem to fall back on as a kinder, gentler form of nationalism. It didn’t seem credible that running in single-digit temps with a stiff wind could possibly be fun. But damn if it isn’t true. In spite of no footing at all and tight hamstrings, it was a great feeling to be outside.
I didn’t bring the Nike Sportband with me, so that review will have to wait. The only Nike shoes I have with me right now are the Lunarglides which I haven’t run in before. I don’t like taking new equipment out in uncertain conditions. Especially with the snow, I couldn’t tell if they’d aggravate the ITBS I just coaxed out of my right leg, but guess what? After all that crying and moaning I’ve been doing the last 2 days, I found my Polar do-hickey! See? Whining works.
Instead of running yesterday, I did the next best thing, which is to buy gear and dream of running. A couple of days ago, I somehow misplaced the do-hickey that attaches my Polar thingamabob to my shoelaces. I’m usually really good about keeping track of my whatchamacallits, so I’ve been mourning it ever since. I got no satisfaction from Polar about replacing that doo-dad so I went out and bought another gadget.
I’ve been tempted by the Nike+ system ever since it came out, but never plunked down my money. (That’s roughly 5 years of resistance.) At first it was because I had already bought one of the classic iPods and didn’t need a nano, and then it was because I really preferred my tiny iPod shuffle. I still do. However last summer, Nike produced what is essentially a thumb drive on a bracelet that will collect the signal from the shoe transmitter. Having lost that Polar do-hickey, I was in a vulnerable condition and was finally parted with my money.
I wish I could put it on my favourite things list, because I really want to like it. It’s simple, and satisfies the minimalist in me. Although I love data, and always want more of it, I also have periods when I just want to run without thinking, without analysing and without having any particular goal. Usually, I feel this way when my running is in the toilet. Looking at the data evokes a sense of despair, which I try to avoid confronting when it’s 9*F and blowing snow outside.
The Nike Sportband would fit perfectly with my current mood. At the moment, I try to log runs without looking at the data at all. I just leave it collecting until I feel ready for judgment day. Well, I haven’t taken it for a run yet, but the Sportband already feels clumsy and temperamental. The software is horribly, tragically bad. The setup was confusing, required installing other components, and poorly documented.
In an attempt to make it seem simple, Nike describes the steps with stick-figure drawings only. No words. A picture is worth a thousand words, but they skipped the drawing of the runner wading through molasses as they try to sync the Sportband. I don’t know how well the software works if you use an iPod instead but if it’s anything like this, it’s an embarrassment to Apple.
I’m not going to do a post about resolutions nor my year in review. I never was one of the cool kids, and I like the flexibility to deny my disappointments. Instead, I give you a list of my PRs off to the side there.
I had a fantastic run today! I just love being able to start a new year like that. I used to schedule a long run + a mile or two on new year’s day, so that it would stand as my longest run for the month, season or whatever. This year, I couldn’t do that thanks to my injury, but it was a great feeling — all 50 minutes of it. I’m so glad I let myself skip yesterday’s run in the rain.
It was windy, and cold and snowing, but it was awesome. My hip and knees were absolutely silky the entire time. The only thing I could have asked for was a little more speed, but that’s okay. I can wait. For now, I’m basking in the golden sun of the best run I’ve had in 3 weeks.
