A Perfect Winter Run

While many runners take to their treadmills in the winter, I still prefer to bundle up and run outside. The first mile or so I am usually cold, but then I warm up and enjoy the brisk air as I log my weekly mileage. I have actually run more since winter settled in than I did during warmer fall days. This past weekend was no exception.


Kassi and Jackie, who are sisters, have been two of my best friends since junior high. We grew up three houses from one another, and had a well-worn path through our neighbors' yards that stretched between our houses. We three have a plethora of stories (most that we refuse to share with our children). Our childhood came before video games (unless you include TV tennis) so the neighborhood kids played outside until our parents flashed the outside light for us to go in (okay, my mom was the only light-flashing mom, but I like to imagine that other mothers were just as embarrassing). We had a lot of good times growing up in our small-town neighborhood. Even as teenagers we continued to play hide-and-seek throughout our block. Saturday, we added yet another story - this one we are proud to share!

Jackie and I have been running together since we both started trying to manage to run two miles in the spring of 2009. This past October she and I ran our first half marathon. Kassi began running in June. She is amazing. She can now run 13 miles, and is able to run with her sister and me (not that we have a fast pace!). Recently, the three of us have been getting out together when schedules allow. We planned to run Saturday morning, despite the ominous forecast of bitter cold and blowing snow. At 8:30 on this January Saturday, we, along with my husband, met at Kassi's house. Kassi and I were ready to run; Jackie tried to find a way to get out of it. My husband took off for his run, and we took off a few minutes later. I will try to adequately try to describe the conditions. It was 14 degrees (I prefer not to know what the windchill was - once you get below a certain temperature, it just doesn't matter); there was a harsh wind blowing directly in our faces; it was snowing, so the harsh wind was blasting snow into our eyes, mouths, up our noses, and into our stinging cheeks. There were patches of ice under the snow. There weren't even many cars out, let alone other insane runners. Those people who were in cars and drove by as we pressed through the wind - it was like swimming upstream in ice water - gave us that you-really-are-stupid look. What were we doing? Laughing! We knew it was crazy, but it was so much fun! We were doing something that few other people would ever even consider. Besides, Jackie has her own set of rules for running - running up a long, steep hill allows us to add an extra mile; running in bitter cold is good for another mile; snow - definitely good for a mile!

As Gary and I drove to town that morning, I thought that even if we just ran three miles, it would be a decent run considering the weather. So, we ran. We are all creatures of habit, so we went on our normal route, but hadn't really discussed how far we would go. We did make a pact that if one of us fell, we would all head back. It wasn't worth getting injured. Our town is right on the Ohio River, and this past year our town created a beautiful walking/running/biking path along the river. It has become a favorite part of our runs. By the time we reached the river, we had warmed up and begun to get into a groove. As we were running along the snow-covered path, we noticed a purse at the edge. We ran past it on the way up the path, but on the way back Kassi checked inside. She found a driver's license, credit cards, and checkbook. We all found this to be a bit eerie. The police station was just a few blocks away, so we took turns carrying the purse as we ran headed that direction. After we had safely delivered the purse (and we were certain helped solve some major crime), we decided that by doing a good deed, we deserved to add another mile.

We continued to run and chat, thoroughly enjoying our morning together. We were just about at the 5-mile mark (really - without 'Jackie Miles'), and decided that we all felt pretty good, so Jackie, who didn't really want to run in the first place, starts up a rather large hill. We could run six miles. Why not? Coming down on a different street, we realized that we would be at about six and a half miles by the time we reached Kassi's house, so why not just go 7? By this time the sun had appeared, so we began adding more blocks, and, yes, we actually ran seven miles on that bitter cold Saturday morning. With added mileage for challenges and good deeds, we figure we ran a half marathon!! What a morning!

I have to say that was one of the best runs I have had in a long time. We didn't time ourselves; we had to alter our form because of the snow and ice, and it was really just about the challenge of running in less-than-ideal conditions and not about running fast. It was about three 40-something lady runners spending time together laughing and exercising. It was about appreciating the beauty of the falling snow, cursing the wind and snow stinging our faces, feeling like young children playing outside without a care in the world. Although all of our children (between us we have 8) were inside warm homes thinking their mothers had finally lost it!

As I sit in my warm home today, my second snow day home from school, I look forward to this evening when we plan to try to get out and run six miles. We will layer up, put on our vibrant yellow or orange outerwear and reflective gear, and head out into the great outdoors. It certainly beats running on the treadmill staring out the window into our backyard! If you are contemplating winter running, try it! Layer up. I usually wear a moisture-wicking long-sleeve shirt, a cotton long-sleeve, and a fleece jacket, leggings (with shorts on top), cheap cotton Walmart gloves (throw them in the wash after wiping snot), and a hat or headband. It is invigorating to get out in the cold air and sweat!

Run on, Friends!