Against the wind

- and uphill, both ways

It's been warming up here in southern Wisconsin but you wouldn't be able to tell on a day like this. There has been a strong, cold wind blowing for the last few days. In a car that's no problem. For a bike commuter however, it's more like hell just froze over. It's been a struggle to get my miles in this week. I lost my bus pass this week so I've been biking everywhere. Thirty mph winds make for a rough ride, especially if you are loaded down with heavy schoolbooks. All this extra exertion has been really hard on my legs. My calves are constantly tight. I've cut 2 out of 4 workouts short at the gym this week. It's too easy just to get off the treadmill if you're tired. On Friday I skipped my run altogether on account of the hail. I kinda feel like I let myself down in some way. I keep trying to remind myself that I probably would have caught a cold out in that weather. Although a part of me still thinks I could have done better.

The weather didn't stop me yesterday. It did delay my departure quite a bit, as I was reluctant to go out in the snow. Yes, snow. In the middle of April. Are you kidding me? It wasn't that soft puffy kind of snow that gently drifts to the ground in December, qiet and and pristine white. Nope, on the contrary, it was like a million teeny pellets flying at me as if shot from a gun. I got about halfway down the block before turning around to put on a hat and a scarf to cover my face. Even though I was cold and my shoes were soaked through, I felt pretty good by the end. After the 80 degree weather we had last Sunday, things were starting to look up. Then came the wind, and the rain, and the soreness. I just hope I can make it through the week. Almost there. Today is my first 14 mile run. Hopefully I'm ready for it. I don't feel much like running right now but it's still early and the sun is coming out. I'm trying really hard to focus on the sense of accomplishment I will have earned by the end of mile 14 later today. Wish me luck!