Think it will snow?

Last Sunday morning I woke to pitch black conditions and very still air. The temperature hovered at 18 degrees. I left the house with shorts and a Wiki Max top and watched my breath escape my lips like a heavy San Francisco fog. Standing still provided a warm feeling but moving even an inch in the cool air caused my hair to stand on end. I embraced the cold air with ambition and determination. A few quick steps and I knew my body would be on its way to a warm buzz. A soft glow canvassed the sky from downtown Columbus and the dim light would be my only company for the first hour and a half of my run. The grip of the cold dark night gradually gave way to the encroaching day only to reveal loaded snow clouds. I found myself stamping through soft powder for the last hour. By the time I had made it back to ground zero there was a little over four inches spilling over the top of my shoes. I spent that last 4 miles wishing for spikes.

Snow would pile up over the next 24 hours and clog my running trails with ample obstacles to clamber over. Some of the drifts reminded me of conquering steeplechase barriers in college. Other seemed to reach up and grab my ankles as if to pull me under and prevent me from running.

Temperatures this week during the early morning hours have been floating near the high teens and lower 20's. Tomorrow will offer the first true crisp day of real Ohio winter. Winds will drop the chill down to below zero and I am scheduled for a dark trail run north of town.

The trail run doesn't bother nearly as much as the luke warm winter thus far. This has been my first January in Ohio for about 10 years. Tomorrow will be the first day of sub zero wind chill. I remember running outside during snow storms in the late 90's and was wholeheartedly expecting similar conditions upon my return to Columbus. Oddly enough many of the newscasters agree that global warming is to blame for the trend in winter warm up. Less snow and ice makes for one boring winter. The children have only had one really good snow to make snowmen and I have only used my four-wheel drive once. If I had wanted to enjoy a spring like winter I would have stayed in Mississippi. The only good thing about mild conditions is the the over running pace has not slowed. The spiked booties over my shoes have significantly helped on the snow. Negative seven for a windchill should be perfect for my first day of sampling some tights and it has been suggested that I wear some ear protection. I am sure after about two miles the gloves along with the hat will be shed. Here is to colder temps and more snow soon....very soon.