Marcothon 2013 - HFCRC: Day 9 - Uecker - Run to the (Dis)Traction

Monday, December 9, 2013

Day 9 - Uecker - Run to the (Dis)Traction

"Homage to Eric B."

I really don't like running on snowy roads. I don't. Never have. I really try to avoid it if I can (and I know I'm not alone in this). "Wait a day or two until the plows do their job." That's what I usually think. I'm learning fast thinking is out the window with the Marcothon.

I did wait a bit today. In front of my house the road looked pretty clear and the sun came out, just as I got going. I figured that I was going to be all right and not encounter any problems. I was also thinking I was a bit overdressed wearing the thermal tights with the way the sun was hitting me. These ideas that were bouncing around in my head were gone pretty soon. After I had turned a couple corners I was greeted by slush, snow, ice. Obvious I know, but this is why I really don't like this conditions, because I get distracted. I find myself running closer to the middle of the road which makes me feel unsafe. Oh and the wind kicked up. I was not dressed too warm any longer.

I got myself a bit more focused and started warming up in my run. "Hey this isn't so bad." All of the other Marco-Maniacs (great term, Tabitha) were probably dealing with this too, if they are running outside. Started to get more fluid was just about at the 1 mile mark and then slush in the shoe. I love how it runs between your toes. Gross but makes sure you're awake and let's you know you're alive.

At about 1.5 miles the run really started to get interesting. I was running on an East-West road that had not been plowed at all and the snow was really starting to build up in my treads and I had no place to knock it off. Was really starting to "fishtail". As I hit the next North-South street I got on some plowed surfaces and was able to become more sure-footed again.

Hey, Village of Flossmoor, I have a question for you. Do you only plow the North-South streets? Strangely that's what it seemed like today. I know that's not the case but it sure felt that way. And like Tabitha I was becoming a bit concerned that this was just the beginning of how the conditions are going to be the rest of this month. If they are, so be it. I have hiking boots I'll bust out and run in. Old Man Winter is not going to be what knocks me out of this Marcothon. If anything does.