For those that are not familiar with Boone, NC it is officially colder than the Arctic Circle! The last week I have been running in sub-Arctic temperatures while combating frigid windchill. Needless to say it has made all my tempo runs extra enjoyable. However, this morning took the cake. After rising at my normal 5am and getting in my bike ride while listening to Beethoven's 9th (don't knock it till you've tried it), I checked the outside temperature to determine my outerwear selection. To my surprise (not really though, I mean it is Boone) the temperature read -16 degrees F or -26degrees C or 246K (I'm a nerd). I thought, "cool I have never ran in that cold of temperature. I have to try it." So after dressing with enough clothes to summit Everest, I embarked upon my 'recovery' seven mile morning run. To my surprise, about three miles into my run my eyelashes started to freeze together. Freaking awesome! On top of that my face mask was frozen rock solid from the moisture in my breath. I have to say, however, that at that cold of temperature I there was little movement from anything or anyone and the entire run was quite peaceful. Running up the 600m hill to my apartment, honestly I did feel as if I was summiting K2. I was being tossed around by the 20mph wind with my eyelashes frozen and my face mask glewed to my face. To top it all off, outside my apartment we have hung Himalayan prayer flags... I figure with a few more training runs in that temperature I should be ready to take on either the Michelin Man in a boxing match or hang with Dean Karnazes on his Arctic 100ks.
Quick Update:
I have posted a tentative 2009 race schedule with my 09 debut race taking place mid-Feb at the Mercedes Benz Half-Marathon. Training has been going well. I will more than likely hit close to 90mi running with roughly 15k in the pool and 5-6hrs on the bike. Not bad for technically wk1.
School is going to be tough as I am taking 15hrs all science with 3labs. Surprisingly, I feel like I will have more free time to train and study as I will not be assisting with as much research this semester.
I have posted some pictures from my run this morning.
Me at the start, -16degreesF
Me at the end of the run outside my apartment
