Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Snow days


Monday evening the TV weather guessers predicted that we'd get just a dusting of snow overnight. I was up at 5:30 for my Tuesday morning run and the flurries were just starting to fall. By the time Janet and I were done with our run, there was a dusting on the ground. But it kept snowing and with the inches piling up the schools finally called it a snow day at about 8 am. My work is only a mile away, so I decided to walk it. The freeways were gridlocked and the only other people at work were those like me who could walk or easily take the bus. It stopped snowing by noon, but the temps hovered around 29 and the skies stayed cloudy so nothing was melting. Finally, at 2 pm the powers that be told us to leave and I walked back home. Officially we got 3 inches, but with drifts, it was probably closer to 6 inches and more in spots.

Marc was so glad to see me, because he had been itching to try out his new x-c skis. As soon as I got home he headed out the door and was gone for 3 hours.


Marc faces the driveway challenge head on!

By 6 pm all the school districts and universities had announced that they'd close again today. My work hardly ever closes so I was expecting my regular routine this morning. I was delighted to hear that the temps weren't expected to rise above freezing because I really wanted to run on SNOW! And I got my wish. I headed out a bit earlier than usual this morning, just in case there were drivers out trying to get a head start on what would be a rough commute.

One of the reasons I love running in the early morning is because of the quiet and relative lack of cars. The snow only amplifies this peaceful ambiance. Very few cars were out and those I saw were driving verrry slowwly. The roads were covered in packed snow, but because it hadn't really melted it wasn't icy. I alternated between running in the streets and running on the sidewalks where it was more powdery. I was only out for 4-1/2 miles and at a relatively slow pace. But running on the snow definitely felt like it worked my legs more than usual. It was great! And likely my last chance to run in the snow this time around. The temps are supposed to rise today and while I don't think the snow will be gone by tomorrow's run, it's likely to be much more icy. And I don't do ice very well.

When I returned at 6:15 I turned on the TV to discover that my work had closed! So I got to cap off one of my favorite runs with a few of my other favorite things....a hot shower and a nap!

15 comments:

Olga said...

Lucky you! I had to make myself get to work today after yesterday's day off and I'd rather be home:)
The views are awesome around! But driving sucks.

Ryan said...

Hopefully some of that floats our way...snow day's are so fun. Glad to hear you enjoyed your weekend long run......

Let it snow!

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Way to enjoy the snow and get your workout in... SNOW Days was the icing :-)

Backofpack said...

Sarah, what fun! I love how quiet it is after a snowfall - sometimes deep quiet, sometimes kids laughing in the distance, but it's still kind of muffled. I'm glad you got a snow day and a snowy run.

Darrell said...

I don't know, but are snow days common in Oregon. There would have to be a whole lot of snow before we got a snow day back in OH.

I just found out we both ran the inaugural RnR Arizona marathon in 2004. Cool!

Sarah said...

Darrell,

If Portland gets snow that sticks to the roads or if the roads are icy, everything closes. But it doesn't snow every winter. I don't think we had any snow days last winter. In fact the last big shut-down I remember was just before RnR AZ 2004, when I was trying to get out of town. That was nerve-racking!

Unknown said...

Running in snow is very peaceful and I am glad that you had the chance to enjoy it and it looks like Marc did as well. Yeah for snow days.

Stephanie said...

Brrrrrr..my teeth are chattering

matt said...

that picture of him tackling the driveway is priceless, sarah...i am still laughing :)

i am baffled by all this snow you are getting is this that common for portland? i am just one of those idiots that thinks it rains all of the time, but never snows...forgive me.

that must an extra incentive to keep the pace up out there, huh?

Ben, aka BadBen said...

It's cold and snowy everywhere, but darn, it's fun!

Happy trails,
Bad Ben

Ginger Breadman said...

"snow only amplifies this peaceful ambiance" - what a cool statement. there is something really peaceful and freeing about snow - it's like a wonderland at your disposal to go anywhere you want - and it kinda teaches you to tread lightly and carry yourself a bit more loosely - great analogies for life.

Rick Gaston said...

Mmm... snow runs. How fun and what a bonus, a day off. Glad you were able to have fun with the weather, I'm sure a lot of people were not happy especially those that had to fight the traffic.

Anonymous said...

It only takes a quarter inch of ice to close things down in Dallas/Fort Worth. Glad you enjoyed the time off.

Joe said...

Morning runs in the fresh snow-induced silence....priceless.

what a cool two days, Sarah!!!

Nathan phoned and reported the two days of Portland shut-down. Sounds like quite the event. Fun!

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo!!! Snow days!!!