A lone runner attempts to inconspicuously change into running clothes in the blisteringly freezing wind…

…webbed feet make their way from the icy depths passing silently over grass and pavement.

The wind picks up and overcast skies don’t afford a shadow that may alert the lone runner, who by now is attempting to stay warm and tie his shoes…

…then as he looks around they’re already in striking distance.

So, apparently the ducks at highlands are ninjas in training.

I was trying to put on my warm up pants that I thought I wouldn’t need this weekend and was mobbed by the ducks who were very brave this particular Sunday.

That is until I got my camera out, then they all took off.

To me, that’s the fun part of running — all those extra experiences you run into while out. Last week I was running (I generally don’t wear headphones) and heard a crazy amount of noise coming from a group of crows (or ravens?).

They were chasing a red-tailed hawk away from, I assume, their nest. They flew right by and that was pretty cool. Another time, I’m pretty sure I saw a coyote out at Berry and of course deer.

And you learn odd things about yourself — like, I dunno, I like running in the cold.

It shouldn’t be particularly surprising, I love skiing and anticipatory energy builds in me as the seasons begin turning colder and the slopes start opening up.

But it’s been pretty crispy as we’ve gotten out on the track behind Highlands College the past couple of times. Not as bad as last year when we started training for the 10k (had a frost crust gather on my fleece pullover after an early morning run near the river).

Our long runs so far have been six miles and we’re (this week) picking it up to eight, which I’m thinking is pretty doable right now.

Last year, about this same time, we started prepping for the Berry 10k the getting started point seemed a lot harder. I remember going for a four mile run was a tragedy waiting to happen and the few times we ran six just about killed everybody involved.

But this year it’s not been a real problem. I mean there’s the soreness involved and the pain itself during the run, but for some reason it’s easier. The shorter steps approach has been helping my knees — they’re still banging but nothing Aleve can’t solve.

(Stops to offer prayers to the gods of Aleve)

The great things are:

Sally (my wife) is being really supportive and even is asking me when I’ll get my miles in so I don’t slack off, which is really helpful. I can’t wait till Alexander (the baby) is old enough for us to go for a short run in a stroller.

And I do love cold weather.