A little over a year ago, I found myself snowed in. I resorted to the elliptical, a machine which I feel bears even less merit than the dreaded suckmill.

It appears we’ve come full circle. The other day my workout was, once again, on the elliptical. And, just like last year, I had a difficult time swallowing my pride. It wasn’t until I yesterday’s outdoor run that I saw the wisdom in my choice. Long stretches of unshoveled snow, high snow piles, and ice-caked sidewalks make running outside almost as unsatisfying as the elliptical.

In less whiny news, Christmas has been kind to me. In addition to my new television and a very warm coat, I received an addition to my burgeoning supply of winter running gear. Gail gave me an Under Armor baselayer and tights; she also created a useful place for storing them that should prevent any future fiascoes (like the recent one). I now have a big plastic container with the following message attached:

A message from my running gear.

There was a forgetful young man who returned from college this past summer. He, being a runner, had a full set of winter athletic gear. Seeing no immediate need for such, he packed it away in his closet. There it could await winter’s return. But this young man was charitable as well as forgetful, and there was a clothing drive coming up. He stored his old, unwanted clothing away– in the very same closet, in the very same kinds of bags.

The clothing drive came and went, and suddenly I had no cold-weather running gear.

Carelessness cost me:

2 pairs of long-sleeve Under Armor shirts… (list items)

1 pair of Adidas running pants

1 running hat (beanie)

1 glove (right-handed)

And left me with:

1 pair of Under Armor tights (a size too small)

1 glove (left-handed)

Naturally, I realized this just after the temperature plummeted. Since then I’ve been scrambling to replace my winter wardrobe.

I should mention, however, a reversal of fortunes: I attended a Craft clinic, at which I received a free ZEROextreme base layer. I haven’t tested it thoroughly enough for a final review, but I will say this: it is utterly unlike the Under Armor I’m used to– in a good way.