Freezing Fourteen + Comments4Cans
Whew! That was some run. I conquered the 14 miler that gave me so much trouble last weekend!
When I woke up, it was raining and 33, so I put on my tights and underarmour and beanie and gloves and scarfed a piece of toast with peanut butter. Then I realized that I was wearing all black and might look a little um… threatening… especially with the black beanie. Well, as threatening as a 19 year old girl can look, anyway. So I swapped the beanie for a white headband (much better, but I still felt like a ninja) and headed out.
Mile 2 took me to the track, where the rain started to look more solid and flaky. Kind of like snow, actually. By the time I’d done 2 miles on the track it was full-on snowing! As a girl from Wisconsin, I love snow. My clothing was doing a pretty good job keeping me warm at this point – I even rolled up my sleeves for a little bit, until the snow started to hurt :( Sleeves came back down fast.
After leaving the track I headed around my favorite loop, bringing me back near my apartment at about mile 8. Along the way I snapped this photo of Thomas Jefferson, chillin’ in front of the Rotunda. He doesn’t look too cold to me, though. What do you think? Should I bring him a scarf?
Then I went down to the river, passing by Downtown Charlottesville on the way. By the time I got down there the snow was sticking – to everything! Including my face. Ever get a snowflake right across the eyes?
Looks like I'm not the only one on the trails :)
I love this route :)
I’m not going to lie, miles 12 and 13 were rough. Not because my legs hurt or anything – my hands! Last time I go running in 75 cent Target gloves. By the time I got home I couldn’t really bend my fingers much… the door was definitely a challenge! You know the 10 minute period after you get inside after being out in the cold for a long time? Where your hands BURN with the intensity of a thousand suns? Yep. That happened. But after I was done reheating my hands I made a big pot of coffee and some delicious pancakes for myself and my awesome suitemates. No pictures – they were eaten too fast. Finished up with some greek yogurt and granola!
AND NOW for an announcement – as I was eating my delicious food today after getting inside from my cold, cold run, I thought about all of the people who don’t have delicious food or a warm home. Which is why for the month of December I will be donating 1 can for every 5 comments I receive on this blog to the Emergency Food Bank, which serves the hungry in Charlottesvillle/Albemarle County. So leave a comment! It can be anything – a question, story, random thought… it all goes to a good cause!
Happy running everyone :)
Join this undergrad with a passion for running and triathlon as she navigates her way through training and life at UVA.
scottmuwhereru
5 Dec, 2009
great workout!
it was snowing here in state college, too!
but instead of running through the frigid mountains of pennsylvania, i decided i would eat a panini while surfing the web.
did you know that happiness is best brought about by low expectations?
Mr Dude
5 Dec, 2009
Nice run! I really like the pic – TJ is the best, although he probably is whining for a scarf.
Ross
5 Dec, 2009
I didn’t realize you were from Wisconsin! Just one more thing that make you cool! Nice run today and really awesome to donate food!
stephanie
5 Dec, 2009
great run! and great idea about comments4cans! let’s see if we can jumpstart your can drive…..
stephanie
5 Dec, 2009
i think….
stephanie
5 Dec, 2009
….you are……
stephanie
5 Dec, 2009
….super duper….
stephanie
5 Dec, 2009
….COOL! keep up the great work and bless your kind heart!!
Kate McDowell
5 Dec, 2009
Thanks Stephanie! We’ve got 2 cans so far (9 comments and I round up!) Keep it up guys!
Jeffrey Norman
5 Dec, 2009
Too good a cause to pass up. Great running today!
Ange
5 Dec, 2009
Yep – totally threatening.. glad you changed to the head band cuz you would definitely have scared me!! LOL!
This is a great thing you’re doing Kate!
Oh and great run – goes without saying.
billso
5 Dec, 2009
Yikes, it looks cold there? Current temperature in Honolulu is like yours – except ours is in Celsius and yours is in Fahrenheit. Stay warm, and good luck with the can drive!
Aki
6 Dec, 2009
Running in the snow sounds cool, but really cold! get better gloves! hope you keep getting loads of comments :)
Chris
6 Dec, 2009
Great idea to help those in need and thanks for sharing the pictures. Brings back memories of a marathon two years ago when it snowed the whole way … in April. Keep running.
Alina
6 Dec, 2009
Hi Kate, Awesome run and great pictures. I think it’s great you’re helping out by donating food. Happy running :)
Kate McDowell
6 Dec, 2009
Thanks Alina! The can drive is definitely added motivation to run my best!
Joy
6 Dec, 2009
Your mile time improvement was huge! Looks like you’ll be hitting the 6’s in no time.
Andi
6 Dec, 2009
What a great idea to help those in need! Hopefully you won’t be donating “bad” peaches!
scottmuwhereru
10 Dec, 2009
because i am a big advocate of private enterprise
and private donations as a social service
i will contribute more than my fair share of comments!
scottmuwhereru
10 Dec, 2009
and here’s my rounding up!