NOLA Week 3: Ninja.

Distance: 6.1 miles
Time: 1hr 4mins 22 secs
Route: Clyde Fant Trail

35 degrees + 15-20 mph sustained winds + 26 degree windchill = Stupid Stacy. My attempt today was 10 miles. If there were any week for this run to happen, this was a good week for it to happen. Last week to really be able to afford a mishap. We have great runs, good runs, average runs and Mother-Nature-is-totally-screwing-with-me runs. Today's run is courtesy of the latter.

I woke up and just generally didn't feel good about this morning. I got up, geared up and headed over to the Sciport parking lot. I mentally prepped. It was only 10 miles today. I am very capable of 10 miles, as I have been doing double digits for the past 8 weeks. I prepped myself for the cold...I had double layers on, mittens and a beanie. I decided not to use my iPod this morning, as I knew the headphones would be a great conductor of the cold. It was actually a good choice. I looked at the trail and reasoned with myself. I knew I'd warm up within a mile and it would be good. The dawn was breaking, so it was a good time to have a chat with the big guy upstairs. Off I went.

My teeth were quite literally chattering. I can't remember feeling this cold on a run at the start. I've run in 28 degree weather before, but not with wind like this. I started to warm up. The hips felt pretty good, so I settled in. Or so I thought. I was approaching the first mile marker when all of a sudden it happened. BAM! Down I went. WTF!?!?!?!?!?! Really?!?!? Turns out my right foot hit a crack in the trail, the ankle rolled and down I went. I even made that lovely, "OOOFF!" sound as I hit the pavement. I got up and semi-assessed the damage. No tears in the pants, ankle was still functioning and the left knee was pretty banged up. I walked it out for about 45 seconds to see if I needed to turn around. I started jogging and felt all right. My knee stung pretty bad, but I decided to try and run through it. I knew Jenn would be meeting me at the park, so I'd go at least to the park.

I made it to the Shreveport Barksdale bridge and seriously considered turning around. My knee was burning pretty good and I was just not feeling it. I kept trucking toward Hamel park. I saw Jenn running toward me and we ran through the park. She was pretty cold as well and I looked at her and basically said uncle. I apologized profusely for making her get out of her warm bed, only for me to stop. My ankle was starting to hurt a little and the knee was screaming at me. I looked down to finally check it out. Yep, skinned knee and bruised all over it. It's a pretty rainbow of colors. I fell so hard that I tore a big old hole in my right mitten. I also lost my sunglasses in the debacle. I've had them for 3 years and they were my faves. Sadly, I think that's what I'm the most angry about. :)

So, week 3 is down. It attempted to take me with it, but I don't go down that easily. :) Next week will be better. 15 on tap next week.