snow run

After driving to the top of the hill in my neighborhood (like the lazy runner I am) I did a quick hamstring stretch and headed out on my 12 mile run. Temps in the mid-20's. Here's the breakdown per mile:

1. feeling good, check my watch 8:25 pace. Snow barely visible.
2. Turn the volume up on my iPod shuffle 3G to hear the VoiceOver feature, "Battery Low". Damn! Still very little snow.
3. Not wanting to risk upsetting my ipod I don't touch a thing. I peel off my balaclava (Why'd I bother wearing it?) and head towards Towson. Pull hood up instead. Can see the snow, but still barely coming down.
4. Climbing DV hill towards the circle. 'Hey man, nice shot--Filter'. I am cruising down York. snow still coming, but only little pellets.
5. Burke Ave. Snow slightly increases. I stop to "eat" my goo. Apparently goo solidifies in cold temps (who knew?) hard to squeeze out w/ mittens; use my teeth, careful not to slice my mouth on the foil, learned that from a prior race.
6. Stupid earbuds won't stay in my freakish ears! I would have made a sailor proud with the vocabulary I was spewing. Snow coming down a little harder and blowing around sidewalks and roads. Wave 'hi' to passing runners all while still mumbling about the earphones under my breath.
7. All up hill, or so it seems-Pleasant Plains. The bladder is demanding to be heard. Snow is coming down steadily and still enjoying in it.
8. Bladder wins the stop or not-to-stop debate, head into the Merritt gym. Still moving at this point, wave 'hi' to all Merritt members and staff. Must still be January...classes are packed! Inside the gym, I start sweating profusely--dressing in layers is a mixed blessing--Take care of business head back out. Pick up sippy cup some kid drops. Start the watch. 1:07. Immediately get cold from sweat. Pull balaclava back over my head, glad I brought it.
9. Snow is coming down in chunks now, beautiful. I am still enjoying the scenery. Debate whether I will keep going after 12, feeling good. Head up Concordia-loooong hill, stop and "eat" second half of goo; chewing gum consistency at this point. Drink Gatorade slushy. Surprisingly refreshing.
10. Back up Providence. Snow really coming down now. Pull balaclava up to my eyes; snow is cold on the cheeks (again, who knew?) Slip and slide uphill all while dodging traffic (why are there so many people on the road, can't they see it's snowing?!). Knees start to hurt.
11. Keep getting snow in my eyes, maybe I should have brought the pink shades. Big chunk of snow lands under my nose. I use my tongue to wipe it off to discover the snow has blended nicely with my runny nose. Mmmm... Getting tired. I can do anything for a mile, right?
12. 'Furr' By Blitzen Trapper. Great song! I truck it in with a smile still intact. Nothing like a snow run to mix things up a bit. I take a sip of my slushy gatorade; apparently body heat is no match for external temps. I wonder if I had run another 10 if I could have made Gatorade ice cream? Apparently, just like the gas light in my car the 'battery low' voice on my ipod is just precautionary and I can really squeeze out another 30 miles. Too bad my legs couldn't!

Hot Cocoa, chicken and dumplings, shower, nap.