The problem with training for spring marathons is that you have to do your training in the winter! And winter is cold right now. Paris has suddenly had an arctic blast cold front and everyone is freezing cold all the time and even fashionable French businessmen wear ninja ski masks, it's that cold. The high today was -1 degree Celsius (or about 30F) and the low was -5 (around 20F). Maybe that doesn't sound that cold, but there was a chilly, chilly wind so it felt even colder.
This is what winter training looked like today: 3 layers, thermal running tights, warm jacket, scarf (people in Paris just love scarves-- I must admit that I do, too-- and wear them pretty much all the time, even when they exercise), fleecy headband, gloves and in a Flashdance-inspired touch, legwarmers!
It started snowing on my run, giant flurries and it was really windy on the way back (I did 2 out and backs, coming back was tough each time, since I was running into the wind!) I couldn't feel my face anymore by the time I got home (must ask the businessmen where they got their ninja ski masks...) But the toughest part of my 20-miler this afternoon? The toughest part of any run: the first step out the door!
Despite the casual mention of a 20-miler (or 32 km if you train in km like all Europeans), this was the first time I'd ever run that far! It was slow-- slow like if your granny put on her red legwarmers and went out for a run in the snow, but it was 20 miles! I know the marathon itself will be a huge mental and physical challenge, but since it's in April, when the going gets tough, I can always console myself that at least it's not snowing...
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