Playing in the snow

First, a clarification: the “competition” I mentioned in my previous post, which apparently made me seem like I’ve no will of my own, is to add my tuppence worth in an ongoing discussion among my colleagues in their fruitless attempts to lose weight. While I wouldn’t mind shedding a few pounds, it’s not in any way, shape, or form, a goal, for me, but for them – dead serious. And so they use the pedometer to justify doing no “real” kind of exercise at all. A few have already commented about how I seem to eat an awful lot for someone my (lack of) size, and despite knowing I run they don’t seem to get the connection. So, I’m joining them for a while – while 10000 steps in a day might help you lose a pound or two it’s not enough for the other 24, for that you need to do something else. One colleague is already a runner but I’m sure I can turn a few more…

Today has been a warm day, only about –1. In preparation for tomorrow’s long run I didn’t want to repeat the mistake of the other day and wear too much so I put on about half that amount of stuff and headed out into the emptiness that was sunset on a Saturday night. I only saw three people, few even for this little town at 4.30 pm. No music, no audiobook, no plan.

I ended up doing fartlek – pick up the pace every other lamppost, any time anyone sees me (that didn’t happen as often as it usually does) or my particular favourite – run fast until the next car passes me from behind. Never any guarantee there will even BE a next car so I can slow down!

Soft, soft snow – felt almost like running along a path in the woods!

While I prefer the snow at –10 I didn’t miss the ice – it seemed to have softened up so my spike-free shoes had perfect grip. And I almost got the clothes right – different socks, and swap my long sleeve top for a thicker one and I’ll be fine. I’m much happier a bit cold than too hot! (When running. My office has been freezing for a few weeks – and then the heating broke down… Ha.)