What was I thinking signing up for a race in February? The forecast high for today was 31* and the wind was kicking. Oh well, I figured this race would put me into that “cold weather warrior” category. As we were leaving the house, there was a *huge* black cloud off to the north. Then the snow showers started.

By the time we got to the race site, the snow had stopped, the sun was out, and the wind had picked up. I got my number and my shirt and hung around waiting for the start. I didn’t warm up much since it was too cold and I didn’t want to tire my legs. Just an easy jog around the parking lot.

The first mile was great. Everything felt fine and I wasn’t too cold. At the mile marker, my watch said 9:19. Holy cow, I’m not that fast! The second mile was pretty much the same. The course was constant little hills. Up, down, up, down, repeat about 147 times. After the turn around, the wind was in our faces. My three-mile time was around 28:30 and I could feel my legs getting tired. Only 20 more minutes!

Mile four was the killer. Jeremy said he heard a lot of people at the finish saying how hard that fourth mile was. By that time, the distance, the hills and the wind had beaten us down. I think my fourth mile pace was somewhere over 11:00. But I didn’t stop and I didn’t walk. The last mile was hard, but I could see the end in sight. More hills and an uphill finish. I didn’t have anything left to put into a finish sprint. I just kept chugging and finished at 49:31.

My goal was 50, so I’m very happy. I haven’t done many five-mile runs and only a couple over five. Between now and my 10K (end of April), I have to log many more longer runs. I didn’t feel really prepared for the distance. Could I have gone another mile and change for a 10K today? Maybe. Would it have been easy? No way. Before the 10K, I want to do at least a couple of seven-mile runs.

Cold weather running, esp with that wind is not easy. I felt like I never got a good breath. Also, my throat and windpipe feel kind of chapped. On the good side, my knees feel pretty good. I had a bit of pain in the left knee, but it’s fine now. My stomach didn’t complain at all, not even once. The feet are good too. In all, I’m tired, but OK.


Nothing really.

None. Walked into the building to get warm.


The cold! I just couldn't get air into my lungs.