Sat. 1/25/14

I had run in 24-degree weather before, but I cut my distance short when I lost the ability to feel my finger tips.  This past Saturday was another 24-degree day.  So I decided to dress accordingly:

- 1 pair of thick wool socks (DeFeet Woolie Boolie)
- 2 pairs of pants (Nike running pants lined with leggings from American Apparel)
- 1 pair of running shorts
- 1 long-sleeved shirt (LuLu Lemon)
- 1 light pullover (not sure where this is from)
- 1 warm-up jacket w/ zipper (ADIDAS)
- 1 hooded sweatshirt
- 1 knit hat with insulated lining
- 2 pairs of mittens*

* one was just not enough the first go-round.

I was too warm by the time I got to Prospect Park, about a mile away from home.  I ditched the hoodie, tied it around my waist, and continued the rest of the run.

My calves were a little tight all through Prospect Park, so I considered making this a short run and heading home after the loop and a quick trip past the Barclays Center.  By the time I got to Barclays, I realized two things:

1. I didn't have my Metro card (or a credit card)
2. It was starting to snow.

Without the Metro card, I wouldn't be able to comfortably push up through Manhattan like usual, knowing that I could easily hop on a subway to get back home.  And anyone in a right frame of mind would notice the inclement weather and feel even more justified in calling their trip short.  In that moment, however, all I could think was:

"I wonder how the Brooklyn Bridge looks when it's snowing."

 Above: Brooklyn Bridge, just starting to snow.

That was my first run with a legitimate half-time break.  I jogged home from Barclays, grabbed the necessary cards, said a quick hi to my roommate, then headed back out.  I ended up running along the Hudson through Manhattan and up to 34th Street where I decided to take the High Line (I had never run it before) back down to Houston.

Above: "New York Water Taxi," near Chelsea.

As has become my tradition, I stopped at the Whole Foods on Bowery for hot chocolate before heading underground to take the F train back home.  (One day I'll run all the way back.)

In retrospect, I probably didn't need that extra pair of leggings, and I certainly didn't need the hoodie.  But when I left the market, hot chocolate in hand, the snow was coming down pretty heavy—and I was really glad I could wrap myself in another layer.