I planned with the best of intentions. Barring bad weather getting in the way, I could get some rest after an 11-hour flight, then make an early morning drive to the eastern shore of Maryland for the 50K Pain in the Neck.
Arriving home and with snow in the morning forecast, I pondered instead of an early morning drive, leaving several hours after my flight arrived, then spending the night near the race start. I almost followed through, but decided instead to unpack my bags and make my way through several weeks of snail mail.
As jet lag began to set in, my desire to do the race was offset by my desire for some sleep and downtime, so I considered a fallback to my almost.
My fallback was The Last Mile, a race I enjoy doing with friends. It offers pottery age-group awards and the local fire company makes chicken corn soup for the runners. I always buy an extra container to take home when they have any to spare.
Well, I almost went. But, I slept in (jet lag, you know) and the snow coming down looked so pretty from my side of the window and the temperature was hovering around 15 degrees F. So, I almost went to my fallback race, but no.
By afternoon with the almosts behind me, temperatures had tilted up past 20 degrees.
Out the door I went, running through some lovely light snowflakes. It’s good there are 24 hours in a day (sometimes more – or less – when you’re moving between time zones).
Wishing you a wonderful new year and courage in working around your almosts.
Still a Runner 
I almost went also but NO slept in as well. Maybe next year!!!
Good for you. It was a beautiful morning to sleep in. So let’s put this on the calendar and both run it next year.
Having arrived 1100 miles south of there today, I appreciate the photo and your story. Also, I ran the last mile in the snow years ago. However, it looks quite a bit more snowy this hear. Good job getting out there on a day most others would say “no”.
Many of our running friends were out there. Have a great stay in the warmth. Hawaii was actually a little cooler than usual this year. They were having record low (60 degrees, but still with the trades, it’s chilly) – I picked up a pair of sweats for the early mornings.
Happy New Year! There’s been a lot of cold weather running thus far for me, that’s for sure! I do have to encourage myself to go out running in the snow – there are places to go where vehicles aren’t allowed.
Great that you have some vehicle free areas. A happy new year to you.
It is such a quandary, the need to sleep, running that 50k or even that fall back race. Enjoyed the read! Hope 2018 is a great one! 🙂
Thanks, Carl – and wishing you a good 2018 as well. Boy, do we need it.