Waiting for my face to thaw

Today Leah and I were all set for a brisk 7 mile run over the frozen tundra of Fermilab. Fermilab is famous for two things: well plowed streets and wide open spaces (all the better to build wind with). It was going to be cold and windy, but at least we wouldn't have to skate along the sidewalks. So we packed up our stuff and took it to work and we were all set to run at 5 o'clock. All set, that is, until Ms. Leah forget an essential piece of running equipment.

For shame!

So we jumped in the car to race home so we could run before it got too late. Astonishingly, there wasn't much traffic and we were out the door by seven and hitting the sidewalks. The nice things about getting to run in Chicago? Well, for one thing it's Chicago, but besides that it's much warmer. So it was a great run through the city with a winding loop that finished at our apartment exactly 7 miles after we started. Leah has this bizarre ability to make perfect loops that I just can't relate to. I'm happy if I don't end up in Waukegan.

But 7 miles is still a long time in sub-freezing weather and my face got all lock-jawed. My big goal last night was to drink a Fresca without it dribbling down my chin. Maybe if I didn't run with my mouth agape like a 12 year old watching a burlesque show it wouldn't be such a big deal.

Anyway, it was a really nice run although all the skidding and sliding has left me quite worn out. Without friction, running gets awfully tough.