It's only going to get colder...

It's only going to get colder.

That was the thought running through my head tonight after work as I got dressed in my running clothes.  The thermometer in my car said 49, which isn't really that cold but it was dreary and overcast out and it sure felt cold.  I didn't think it was cold enough to warrant my cold-gear running tights so I just wore regular long leggings and the long sleeved tech shirt from last years Turkey Trot.  My ears are the first things to feel the cold so I wore a thin headband over my ears.

The park I was running at is about a 20 minute drive from my house, which gives me lots of time to think about everything under the sun.

Some of tonight's thoughts:

"49 isn't that cold"

"what are you going to do in December or January when it's colder, and there's snow on the ground"

"You're an idiot for picking a half in early Spring"

"You're an idiot for picking a half"

"I hope these leggings aren't see through"

"I hope my legs and lungs cooperate"

"I should move"

"I wish it was still summer"

"I want a poptart"

"I want pizza" 

I'm usually all over the place before and during a run.  Most of it isn't repeatable but I try to think of anything and everything, except for the fact that my legs and lungs are tired.

I haven't run in a little while and I could feel it today.  I only made it mile before a walk break.  I was pretty disappointed in myself but I plugged along.  I squeaked out just under 3.5 miles and had my fastest mile (my first). I'm still running after that 10 minute mile.  

I know I'm getting stronger, it's just a really slow progression and it's really frustrating.

I'm going to have to figure out this cold weather running. Today my legs were fine, arms were a little hot but my hands were freezing!  I might have to start running with gloves when the temps dip below 50.  It's funny that I think it's "cold" now but come spring 50 will seem warm.

Until my next run, which is hopefully better than today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harsens Island

Yesterday I had a 40 mile bike ride planned out on Harsens Island.  I got a little nervous when I woke up and saw frost all over the grass and cars.  I dressed for the forecast, which was sunny and somewhere around 50° during the ride.  Harsens Island is about an hour east of my hometown so we left pretty early and it was still pretty cold!

When we got to the ride registration it had warmed up to 41° but the sun was shining.  You have to take a car ferry across to the island and lucky for us, bikes and pedestrians are free :)  We took the short ferry trip across the St. Clair River and we were off on our ride!

It quickly warmed up enough to take off my gloves but I'm glad I wore two long sleeved shirts and a headband to cover my ears.  We passed quite a few camouflaged boats coming back into the boat launches with guys dressed head to toe in their camouflage gear.  Duck hunting season had opened the day before in southern Michigan and we heard a good number of gun shots on our ride.  As I passed one stretch of wooded area I heard some rustling around and as I turned to look I saw a deer running away from me.  I like to count the wildlife I see when I'm out on my walks, runs and rides and today I saw quite a bit!  Today I saw an egret, a couple of swans, a duck, a turtle, a deer and a pheasant.

great egret

When we got to the turnaround spot I stopped to take a short break and wait for my friends.  I was surprised how clearly I could see the Detroit skyline from the island! It was a pretty clear day and you could distinctly see the Renaissance Center off in the far distance.

Detroit skyline, from Harsens Island

approximately mile 26

After a short break it was time to hit the road again, this time into the wind!  That made miles 19-25 pretty rough.  Around mile 25 we changed directions a little and road right along side the St. Clair River and in front of some beautiful homes! Definitely the kind dreams are made of.  I passed a couple getting out of a truck dressed head to toe in scuba gear.  I watched them walk into the river but I didn't stick around long enough to see them go under.  I wonder what they were looking for, unless they were just out for a practice dive.  It seemed a little cold to be diving for fun!

I made my way back through the neighborhoods and back to the ferry where I waited for my friends.  I've ridden long distances a few times and ride between 12-14 miles per hour without wind resistance.  This was the farthest distance one of my friends had ever gone so I was pretty impressed when they rolled up not too far behind me!  I'm not sure how I got into the habit of taking my bikes picture after each ride but it's just something I do when I ride.  While I waited for my friends I took advantage of the Harsens Island welcome sign.

33 miles, done!

We took the ferry back to the mainland and were greeted by a homemade lunch of mostacholi.  My final mileage came in just under 33 miles so their original route of 40 miles must have been a little off but it was still a great ride on what turned out to be a pretty great day.

I forgot to turn off my heart rate monitor until I was nearly halfway home but I'm guessing I burned around 1400 calories.  Not bad for a Sunday morning ;)