DC has a really weird obsession with giving every snow event that comes through the area a strange name. (Only in a place where they don't see snow a lot would this be a thing. Can you imagine if they did this in PA? You'd have a newly named snow-event like every third week.)

Anyway, the snow storm we got over the weekend, which dropped somewhere between 7-10 inches, has been dubbed the "snurlough" -- an odd combination of snow day and furlough.



Since I am in fact still furloughed (shutdown day 24 over here), I took advantage of the gorgeous sun-filled afternoon to go for a snow run.

I dug out my YakTraks, which have been sitting with my running gear basically unused for the last four years, strapped them on, and headed down to the National Mall, where I hoped most of the paths wouldn't have been cleared of snow yet.



I was in luck and most of the Mall was still completely blanketed in snow. The weather was perfect for a winter run. The sun was shining, there was no wind and it felt much warmer than the 32 degrees it was.

I don't think I've had such a good time on a run in a while. Navigating the snow-covered paths on the Mall was a bit like a game. Some areas had great snow for running with my YakTraks, and I had really solid footing.

Other areas were a bit too packed and icy, and I did some slip-sliding around.

There were a few spots where people had tried to clear paths, and those areas were excessively muddy. I did some high knees to get through them and not have my shoes get soaked.



I had set out planning to do a quick three miles, but I was having such a good time enjoying the snow and the really gorgeous day, that I ended up adding an extra mile to the run because I wasn't quite ready to call it quits.

I'm sure I will be a bit sore tomorrow, especially around my ankles and calves that were doing a lot of work to keep my from toppling over on the snow's uneven surface, but it will definitely be worth it.

Today's run was just really great, and reminded me a bit why I love running so much. It was also a really great distraction from yet another furlough day.