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December 20, 2004
I am the Michelin Woman
Do you remember the commercials with the Michelin Man? That is what I felt like tonight. I had on so many layers that if I had fallen over it would have taken some help to get me up. I realize that it is significantly colder in many parts of the country and I am a big wuss when it comes to the cold. My wardrobe selections amaze the other folks in the running group. Case in point: tonight I wore two pairs of fleece lined tights, a turtleneck, a Gore Windstopper pullover, a fleece jacket, a windbreaker, a heavy hat, gloves, and socks over the gloves. I didn't start to get warm until just about half way through and I only got to being comfortable. The front half of my right foot was numb for most of the route.
Today was the second coldest day of the year so far. The high only made it into the mid-teens and there was a strong wind for most of the day. The crazy part about all of this is that on Wednesday and Thursday we're supposed to have highs in the 50s.
Tonight's run was particularly unpleasant, and not only due to the extreme cold. There were only 5 of us who were brave enough to show up. J called me right when I was getting ready to leave to let me know he wasn't going to come because his father had fallen this morning when he was out for his daily walk and he wanted to make sure he was OK. Most of the folks who showed up tonight are a little bit slower. C (whom I refuse to run with because he can be a real jerk) was there and insisted on pushing the pace quite a bit. The others were having a hard time keeping up and I was trying to stay somewhere in the middle and keep us in a group. A few people mentioned that there was no reason to run the way C was running tonight. We managed to stay together for the most part. The pace was easier than I find comfortable, but with only five people I made an effort to keep everyone together.
The course was a pretty course through some of the old money neighborhoods. The homes are so stately and decorated beautifully. Seeing the professionally lit trees is so much prettier than the haphazard lights that are usually up.
Mom's surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. They told me to go to work because there is nothing I can do in the waiting area. I did take a half day for Wednesday so I can help her in the afternoon if needed. Dad told me that he would call me as soon as he hears anything. We are all a little on the nervous side now. Hopefully after tomorrow we will all feel quite a bit better.
Posted by Blondie at December 20, 2004 07:43 PM
Comments
Wow - your description of the multiple layers really brought the cold air into my lungs. I was glad to be resting today when I read about what you had to wear and your toes still became numb. Sometimes it is tough to run with a group and try to keep everyone together. The person who pushes the pace always gets a lot of slack. I guess if it is a social run the point is that everyone should run together. It sounds like you ran by some nice homes. I hope your Mom's surgery goes well. Take care of yourself.
Posted by: Mary at December 20, 2004 09:45 PM
You are much braver than I am. I tend to get a little addicted to the treadmill in the winter! I am so sorry to hear about your mom - I will send good karma her way :) I hope all goes well tomorrow.
Posted by: bridget at December 20, 2004 10:59 PM
I hope everything goes well tomorrow.
Posted by: barb at December 21, 2004 11:29 AM