Training in a (insert bad word here) polar vortex....

This morning should have been one of the runs I look can't wait for. A brutal tough run, including up the stairs at Dundern and up Syndenham road in Dundas. It is one of the reasons I enjoy my running group so much as it pushes you to  your limit (and them some). I woke up this morning, looked outside and really didn't want to run....

I really don't complain about winter as I do realize we live in Canada. Up until this point some of the run highlights include:

- Interval training at -34

- Running up Snake road in ankle deep snow

- Running up Kerns road, King road, and Waterdown road in -30

- Running a 16km special in 10cms of snow/slush

Needless to say it has been tough. We have been so spoiled the last few years we forgot what winter in Canada was all about. But this winter is dragging on and on and on. I have not run in weather (outside on running on a treadmill in China) warmer than -10 with the wind chill since December. 

I do not feel like I am at in terms of conditioning and maybe it is time to re-assess my goals for Around the Bay and the May marathon. I do read all the articles about training in these conditions and how it is all about pace, effort, etc. I guess I am going to test these theories in the coming weeks. 

So I did run 24km this morning and it was the toughest training run I think I have ever done. But it is done. I would feel so much better if I didn't see the forecast temperature of -29 on Tuesday morning for intervals....