What I've learned from winter running

New Hampshire had anywhere from 6 inches to 75 feet of snow yesterday, depending on which weather report you listen to. I think it was closer to 6 inches. I decided to go for a run in the afternoon after class. I learned a few things during my winter run:

1) The YakTrax Pro thing is absolutely awesome. I didn't feel any slips and ran very well on the packed snow and little bit of ice.
2) When you put those on the bottom of your shoes and inadvertently hit the inside of your leg as you're running, it hurts.... A LOT.
3) I've grown to really dislike people who don't shovel their sidewalks. That requires me to run on the road which is not great since the roads aren't fully cleared and the drivers don't all know how to drive on the snow.
4) My Nike+ is not at all accurate in the snow, but at least for yesterday, it worked to my advantage. I ran 6 miles but the Nike+ had me at 7.2 miles. With as tired as I was after the run, it sure felt like I ran more. I was probably taking more steps for the same distance, but I am a bit annoyed that it wasn't more accurate.
5) That leads me to the next note. I was really tired after that. In fact, I was quite tired only 3 miles in, unlike the rest of my runs over the last year. Trying to keep your footing is very taxing.

I guess the most important I learned is that days like yesterday make me feel like a runner--a real runner. Most regular runners will skips these days because it's too cold or snowy or rainy or whatever. Today I really felt that running had become part of who I was. I wanted to get out in the snow and do a long run. I wanted it to be a part of me.

Plus, I must admit, I absolutely love the looks that I get from people in cars and shoveling their driveways. The "why are you running?" perplexed looks are priceless and reinforce why this is so much fun.