Increased a bit to 1.7 miles

Even though the air temperature was expected to reach the low 40s (F), there was a winter storm alert for tonight; the alert started at 11 am (MST) this morning. So, my wife and I went to the SJ rec center and did laps on the indoor track (10 laps = 1 mile). Even though I only had about 5 1/2 hours sleep last night (got to bed late and woke up early) I felt pretty good and didn't get dizzy. It rained while we were in the building.

Ran 1.6 miles

There was a light snow falling this morning, and I elected to go to the South Jordan rec center. I ran and walked 16 laps around the indoor track, which corresponds to 1.6 miles. I had hoped to go for 20 laps, but I started getting dizzy, and I aborted and went home. I had a light case of the flu yesterday and Saturday, and that probably accounted for my dizziness. Also, I ate 3 Norwegian pancakes before I left home, and my breathing wasn't very good. The temperature today is expected to be about 35 (F), so the snow should begin melting. By the time I started home, the show had stopped and the sun was peaking out from the clouds.

Today, tomorrow, and Wednesday are predicted to be Green days (no limitations), so the inversion causing our bad air last week is gone, and things look good for running, assuming South Jordan City clears the path on the Jordan River Parkway. When I was younger, I didn't mind running on ice, but now that I'm older I'm more cautious about my running.

In the following clip from the movie Bambi, Bambi is a newborn deer who is just learning to walk but walks like an old person; he is slipping on the ice. Thumper, the rabbit,  is a youngster who is running with no problems on the ice.

 

Latcr: The snow continued throughout the day and was heavier during the evening than it had been during the day.

Did another 1.64 miles

Today was a "yellow" day (voluntary things to reduce pollution)], so I went to the Jordan River Parkway and went south. The path had been plowed, but there were patches of ice on the path, and lots of water puddles. I tried to use the 80:60 seconds ratio that I've using, but I also avoided much running on icy sections of the path.

I saw three feral cats eating food brought by an older man who lives nearby. I stopped to talk with him, and he said he feeds the cats every day, regardless of the weather. He said the cats do pretty good during the summer catching birds and mice, but in the winter they need the food he brings to them. They were friendly with him and let him pet them, but they ran away when I approached them.

The temperature when I returned home was 35(F). I wore 4 layers, plus the warmer gloves, and I felt fine.

Did 1.64 miles today, all walking

The temperature was 31 (F) when I left home and drove to the Jordan River Parkway. I walked 0.83 miles and then turned around and walked back. The trail was icy but OK for walking. I wore 4 layers and felt fine, except for my hands. I brought a pair of gloves with me but forgot to put them on when I left my car. After my hands were cold, I put them in my jacket pockets, and the warmed up. There was little breeze, so walking felt about the same going both directions. I wanted to do some running, but with the ice on the path I felt walking was safer. I was out in late afternoon, and the sky was overcast most of the time. I did get a bit of sun on the way back, but it was later afternoon sun. I didn't check the temperature when I got home, but it was around 28 or 29 (F).

Ran/walked 1.25 miles again

I went south on the Jordan River Parkway instead of the South Jordan rec center, even though there was haze in the valley. The temperature when I left home was 31 (F). I wore an extra layer (4 layers) and felt warm, except for my hands. I wore a pair of cotton gloves, but they didn't keep my hands warm. I need about 2 miles to warm my core and then my hands, and I'm not going that far. The next time I run/walk when the temperature is around or below freezing, I'll use a different pair of gloves.

The runner in the following picture, taken from the web, is doing a heel strike in front of his knee. Hope he doesn't get shin splints :).

Increased distance a small amount to 1.25 miles

The temperature when we left home was 20 (F). My wife and I went to the South Jordan rec center and ran or walked laps around the indoor track. I don't mind going outside in the cold, because I put on more layers to keep warm. My wife, however, doesn't like the cold, and the rec center was a good compromise. Also, there was a haze over the valley. This is the time of year in which inversions yield poor air-quality. The Salt Lake valley is a bowl with mountains on all sides of the valley, and we usually have poor air during the winter months. I haven't heard the official rating for the day, but I'm guessing the day was a yellow day, meaning there is smog, but it isn't life-threatening, i.e. use your judgment about going out.

The following photo was taken from the web and shows the Salt Lake valley with serious smog. The haze in the picture is probably worse than the haze experienced today.