Run: Fail Previous Next

Notes

Absolute and miserable failure. I'm sure I could make a lot of excuses (getting over a cold, new path, snow, ice-snow jabbing my eyeballs, snow-covered path in warmup, slush on the path, wind) but really, I just couldn't do the workout.

Started out going north toward Navy Pier. The plowed trail turned into 6" of walked-on powder. The bridge was slushy and soaked my shoes. Then the path disappeared completely. I had to turn back and go south from the Millennial Park.

South bound the path was clean, mostly. Snow was still coming down. After my warmup miles I ran into the University of Chicago Cross-country team. A set of 4 guys passed me and I decided to keep up. We chatted a while. One guy had just broken the Freshman record in the meet the day before. Such a pleasure to run with these guys, even though it was at 6:25 pace. I knew I was eating into my workout, but this was the highpoint of a crappy run. Eventually, I let them go and returned to 6:50 pace . . . which kept getting harder.

Southbound I was warm enough to take off gloves and hat. But turning back north the wind picked up. Snow had turned into slight sleet. It kept pelting me in the eyeballs -- really pissing me off. The pace was slowing and the run was becoming more frustrating. My hands and ears froze a bit. My legs were really busted. Eventually, i just gave up; I just wanted to make it back.

What a horrible run. Guess my superpowers are gone; no longer feel invincible.