Runner Girl: Healthy, Happy, and Hungry: Winter Blues

I have a confession. Every time I finish a marathon, I have runner's amnesia.

All of the misery associated with training seems to disappear. I forget the relentless obsession with planning workouts, timing my meals, and getting enough rest.

I guess the feeling of finishing a marathon outweighs all of this, so in the end, it's always worth it.

One thing I completely eradicated from my mind was how much running in the winter sucks. Luckily, we've had mild weather the last few weeks. A year ago right now VA was preparing for a 15 inch snow blizzard. So, comparatively, 50 degree temps is January are a blessing.

The first week of marathon training was a bit challenging, as it did snow two days in a row.

However, I had the proper gear to see me through. Nano spikes on my feet, three layers of shirts, and a face mask to help alleviate the adverse conditions for my nose/throat.

The trouble really comes with the lack of daylight. It's tough to find a free hour throughout the day to get in a run; it's usually before or after work. And it's always dark.

Minor Incident

Last week, around 7 PM on Thursday, I was almost hit by a car. In all my years of running this has never happened. I was wearing a headlamp, and the car stopped when I was about to run across the intersection, so I assumed he saw me. I was wrong.

If I had been LITERALLY one second slower this would be an entirely different post (or worse, I'd no longer be here to post). He nearly swiped me going by. The angry adrenaline from almost having my life ended kicked in; I started screaming at him and flailing my arms. I called him a blind crazy asshole and I dropped a few F-Bombs. People nearby at the bus stop all turned around to watch me.

The man then had the nerve to roll his window down and call me a crazy bitch. He also said something about run inside or something like that; I really don't know. I mentally snapped. He almost killed me, then he calls me a crazy bitch? In a blind rage I picked up a large stone on the ground and hurled it at his back window. Then I took off running again...

I'm not bragging or proud of what I did. For the remainder of my run I was looking out for police cars, as I assumed he may have reported me. Long story short - be extra cautious. Double stop at every intersection. Take the hit to your time. Your life is worth a bit more...

Jesus.