Walkin' (should be runnin') in a Winter Wonderland...

My week is pretty much wrapped up, and that would be with a snow-covered holiday bow.  I usually love snow, but it's totally stressing me out this year.  Training for a half marathon in the snow wasn't really my plan, but probably something I could handle, but with the cold temps, the snow just melts during the day into ICE and the streets/sidewalks are covered.  I know, I know, my last post I was lamenting over the icy conditions as well.  I'm a broken record.  

(I seriously keep coming back to watch this and laugh...this is exactly how I feel today! LOL)

This week I was scheduled for my long run of 8 miles on Friday.  We had freezing rain and ice so I opted to push it off to Monday.  I can easily do this since my long runs are every other week.  The forecast is calling for 44 degrees on Monday, but this morning I woke up to THIS: 

*sigh* 

We never have this much snow/ice on the ground in December!  I figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!  I went out and took some snowy shots since it is really beautiful.  At least my house looks like it has Christmas spirit.  I planned that when I picked the siding and painted the door, btw. 

 The snow is sticking so well to the trees like that b/c we had freezing rain first and then wet snow.  Should make for nice running conditions. not.

I nearly decided to just throw caution to the wind and run this morning to get it done.  The snow is covering the ice and really crunchy/not slippery. I know once it starts to melt and refreeze it will get worse.  I ran 4 miles yesterday though and I know it's not the smart thing to do, so I'm going to hold out until Monday.  I WILL get that 8 miles done on Monday though, I don't care what I have to do!  The ice and snow has me feeling a bit droopy and weighed down, like this:

It's funny that this all seems to be intertwined with my mental block for 8 miles.  It's not that I don't think I can do it.  I've done it before.  I know where I want to run it, I have a 4 mile loop I do, so doing it twice is perfect...BUT... I also know I'm stressing b/c this is the mileage that injured me this past summer and I think deep down I'm scared.  I just want to GET IT DONE but I feel like the weather is playing with my mind and making something I already fear even worse. I know I'll feel much better after I get it done.

Today is also 69 days until we leave for Florida!  I'm ready to have this view:

but for now I'll have to muddle through this first:

Oh and since this is supposed to be my weekly wrap-up (I should just call it the weekly whine-up. LOL) I did all three runs on my training schedule this week on the TM but did 4 instead of 8 on Friday since I am doing that Monday.  

EDITED TO ADD:  Ok folks.  I just HAD to prove to myself that I could run in snow, so I went out for a short run.  I can safely say that I will not be running in the snow again and certainly not 8 miles.  I ran 2.69 miles, VERY slowly.  It was beautiful and I can see how someone would like it for a "fun run" but I nearly broke my ankle and fell on my face.  I had to run in uncleared snow because anywhere that was cleared was very slippery.  It wasn't slippery in the uncleared areas, but I also could not see what was under the snow (i.e. potholes, etc).  So...I'm no less grumpy about the weather but I am at least a little less stressed about my long run Monday.  It will get done, but on the treadmill.  I'm sure I will find time in the next 10 weeks to do some runs outside on days when it has melted. Right?!?!?!  Just for fun, a couple shots from my snowy run:

  Shew!  That made my post superlong!  Thanks for reading if you got through the whole thing!

Tell me about your mental blocks.  How do you deal with them?  I normally just push through, I'm stubborn that way, but get really crabby when I can't push through it right away!