Cold, Cuts

I cut the tip of my middle finger last night on the blade of our mini-chopper. It really hurts as I'm sitting here typing and putting pressure on the cut whenever I hit the "i", "k" or "m" keys. I also cut the tip of my index finger on the lid of a yogurt container on Thursday. No cuts in years, and then two on consecutives fingers within 24 hours. The inability to really use my two fingers for typically mundane, routine tasks makes me aware of how much I appreciate my fully intact body - I mean, some people have had fingers removed, and I'm lucky enough just to have a cut that will heal itself in a few days time. ...and I bet you're asking how the heck does one cut their finger on a yogurt lid??

This morning, we rose at 7:15am for our 5km St Paddy's Day race. There was about an inch or two of snow on the ground - yuck! Overall, we both enjoyed ourselves, but I'm slightly disappointed with my race. My muscles felt heavy and tired even before we started, which is a Very Bad Thing. The snow seeped into my shoes, soaking my feet and my thighs froze in the headwind making my legs feel heavier. The first km was tough mentally, my body just did not want to run! It wanted to crawl back to bed! But then I got into my rhythm which got me through to about 4km when I started to die again. I was disappointed that I slowed up a few times to a jog, although it was necessary. And I didn't like that I didn't have very much power at the end of the race to pick up the pace in the last 500m to beat the clock. I crossed at 23 minutes flat, which I'm happy with, but I'm disappointed that I wasn't feeling stronger to see if I could have got an even lower time. I was fourth female to cross the finish line and second in my age category! Mark crossed at 30 minutes and was the eighth male to cross the line in his age category. If I had been running the 1/2 marathon today and feeling as poopy as I did, it would have been a hellish experience.

This afternoon we went to a pre-season training session with our new dragon boat team. The familiar paddling motion and aches in my muscles were reassuring and, well, familiar. Comfortable. I'm sure my back and shoulders will be in acute pain tomorrow, if not tonight. And, my God, my butt was in agony sitting on the hard tiled pool deck. Bex, if you're reading this, be warned - it's worse than the hard seat of the boat itself. Oh mama. The outline of the season ahead looks quite intense compared to our former team.

Mark is now engrossed in his March Madness basketball games and I'm sitting here trying to make the best of it. I have my RR clinic tomorrow a.m., so I'll be back outside in this stupid winter weather again, bright and early. We're doing 10km again this week.

I guess I'll go now and relax with my hot cup of comforting tea!