Seasonably bad running

Runners bundled up for cold tempeartures during the 10K Deer Creek Classic at Deer Creek High School in Oklahoma City early this March. Photo By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

At times I revel in cold weather running.

The sense of defeating the elements is empowering. 

Refusing to let something as piddly as snow flurries and a negative wind chill stand between me and the five miles I’ve written down on my calendar, gives me a sense of accomplishment beyond what pounding the pavement usually provides.

But the past two weeks of continuous cloud cover and borderline freezing temperatures have had the opposite effect.

I blame my miserableness on the unseasonably warm days in March that reminded me of the joys of summer running. You know – the little things – like not having to wear three layers of heavy clothing or not being afraid that if you get a side cramp and have to walk home you might freeze to death.

Last week I was so done with cold weather running that I ran once. One time in six days. And my long run? Forget about it. I put in five slow miles with my body protesting the entire run.