So far this week the weather hasn't let me down in making it a challenge as I continue to push through my training for the spring. I continue to try and find the positive aspects of training, like everyday that I get out, its slowly getting lighter earlier .. by this time next month, I expect to see the sun rise before I finish my long midweek runs... I also consider the continued cold weather to be practice for that late March day when I run the Ocean Drive marathon. And another positive is that my runs are getting easier ... so its really all good stuff, I just need to keep looking at it that way.

I think i've mentioned it before, but i've found that running in the frigid weather has challenged me in a few ways, first, I find that my running pace just seems naturally faster than it should be. I'm not consciously trying to run fast, and I can only think that its my body's natural reaction to being cold (maybe to keep my body warm??). Its good that my pace is faster, but it only stands to set me up to fail when it comes time for the longer runs, so its something I have to work on .... second, I have this issue where my gear keeps freezing up by the end of my runs. for example, yesterday the wind chill was like 3 degrees and I ran 8 miles ... I had on my knit hat and facemask, and both had ICE on them by the time I got home. Same thing today. Part of the issue is that I tend to sweat so much, that everything just gets soaked ... then after an hour in the cold, it just freezes. So do I pack a second hat ... lose the facemask ... I just don't know, but yet another thing I need to work through.

So next week marks the 18 week countdown until May 2nd so I expect to start seeing more folks out and about running ... maybe, because it is pretty cold. Many of the 18 week plans that most follow don't get into real mileage until around the start of March (probably by design), I guess just psychos like me train in the freezing cold for runs along the shore in March ...

Thanks to everyone to commented or emailed me suggestions for New Years Eve races, I haven't chosen one as of yet because i'm looking at the weather for Thursday and they're calling for rain, snow, cold ... just bad weather, and I hate to be trapped anywhere racing, so we might just stay home.

Lastly, my final 2009 run is tomorrow morning ... so Happy New Year to all since I probably won't post tomorrow. I'm positive that 2010 will be a great year, I can feel it ... remember to keep your running goals in your new years resolution if you decide to make one, maybe run that first marathon, or maybe run that 50th marathon ... always dream big, I know I do!