There’s just nothing like running in the freezing rain: it’s simply incomparable. I’m not sure if the suffering had more to do with plunging through ankle-deep, muddy ice water or with picking my steps—at speed—over sheer ice in the dark. Several times, I had to actually shout “GO!” as I forced myself to splash through the virtual river of water, mud, and indeterminable sludge that was pooling everywhere. Several times I gave a scream (or roar?) as the water soaked through my shoes, up to my calves, numbing my feet instantly, sending sprays of freezing water up my jacket! The alternative was to dodge into the dark and slippery street, snarled with impatient and incredibly pissed-off drivers… what an experience.
I was wearing shorts over water-resistant tights, Gore-Tex socks, a water-resistant jacket, and YakTrax (miracle spikes!)… when I finally arrived home after 15 kilometers of pure torture, the rain had frozen onto my clothes and I was coated in a sheet of ice.
However, I did manage to derive some satisfaction from gloating at the pedestrians who were slipping and sliding all over the sidewalks and streets, barely able to keep upright, and the motorists who actually rubbernecked as I passed them (yes, you read that right!) Sure I’m a crazy woman, but I did some serious character-building that night.
