hoist the main sail

I decided ro run over lunch today. How bad could a 25mph wind with 35 mph gusts be?

Turns out it can be awful. Really awful. Like, insanely awful. There's tiny little ice crystals blowing around as well. I'm the mayor of Windburn City this afternoon.

I can't wait for my skin to grow back.

missing post

There was a post here about some minneapolis public officials and a decision they made.

It's gone now.

More on that later...

every time a bell rings, and angel gets new socks

Need new running socks? Why not try Holeproof, the brand endorsed by Jimmy Stewart himself!



I don't know what's creepier, the style of those socks, or Stewart's massive head floating in space. Freaky.

more on beards

News on the downside of beards, courtesy of Nathan:

1) Gets icey during runs
2) Look like a child molester
3) Significant other won't kiss you

It's true, my wife threatened to not kiss me if I grow a beard. Which is a bummer, 'cause kissing her is totally bitchin'.

Winter officially starts on Friday. Looks like it will be warmer by then. And there was much rejoicing.

I need a beard

I've never been a fan of facial hair... then I went to the Polar Bear run yesterday morning. Yowza. A beard would have been awesome. Not a ZZ Top beard, mind you. More like Al from the show Home Improvement. Just thick enough to insulate my face against -5 temps. That would have ruled.

In other arctic news, a runner commented that Brooks brand wind block underwear didn't quite cover everything that needed covering. Make a note of that.

screw shoes

Yesterday I found myself recommending (like I do every year) that a coworker screw some hex-cap quarter inch sheet metal screws in to her shoes for traction in snow & ice. Luckily, I don't need to explain it in detail, because someone beat me to it. Sweet.

This guy uses a power drill to insert the screws, which I find a little freaky. I'm a fan of using pliers. Either way, the screws will keep you on your feet instead of on your ass. Which is nice.

run today, just wear ski goggles

I banged out 6 miles over lunch in the time it usually takes to do 8. Not the best footing out there. Wear trail shoes if you have them. The poor footing wasn't helped by my lack of vision. Ski goggles would have been a great antidote to the blowing snow. I don't know how much of a pelting by those tiny snow flakes it takes to scratch your cornea, but I'm sure I came perilously close.

Could be worse, though. Runners on Superior's North shore are likely traveling by snowshoe today. Or dog sled.