Sunday, November 30. I want to do a 10-mile run. Somehow sucker my dad into getting out in the cold Kansas weather to jog the first couple with me. Fifteen minutes before we had planned to leave, it starts sleeting. Not raining. Not snowing. Sleeting. Like hail, but colder. And the wind is blowing so hard that the sleet is coming down at a 45* angle to the ground. Wind from the north. Like really cold wind. It stops after 5 minutes, but the clouds still look menacing.
We run anyway.
Wednesday, December 3. I wake up at 6:00 a.m. to reports of a severe wind advisory. Seriously. The National Weather Service issues tornado and thunderstorm and flash flood warnings. Well, in this part of the country, they also issue severe wind advisories. Our local NPR broadcast journalist reports in a friendly voice that the today we'll have a high of 39 degrees, a low of 18, and winds from the north at 30 miles per hour gusting to 45. I crawl out of bed and throw tights, arm warmers, leg warmers, windproof pants, a scotch-guarded top, a hat, and gloves into my (too small) bag. I go to work. The wind howls around my car, and I spend my first two training sessions watching the trees outside the windows bend in the semi-darkness and listening to the scratchings and creakings of blowing branches.
I don't care. I run anyway.
Running is empowering. Whether it's too hot or too cold or too windy or too rainy or too snowy or just plain miserable outside, an athlete (or anyone, actually) who really wants to run is going to go outside and run. And that's it.
What's more, if the athlete is worth his or her salt and has any measure of endurance experience, he or she is not going to whine or brag about it. He or she might casually say, "Oh yeah, I ran earlier today." But will not regale listeners with tales of brutal conditions.
That's why I'm falling in love with running. It makes me feel tough. It makes me feel strong. It makes me feel that I don't need anyone or anything to approve or praise me. Or need anyone or anything at all, for that matter.
That's why I run. It's difficult to start running. It's difficult to keep running. And if it doesn't hurt by the end, then I'm not doing it right.
But afterwards, in the glow of the runner's high, I feel strong and capable.
And that's enough to get me out there again next week.
Those are some tough running conditions! I have this background on my computer from PI that I love. It says "If you ever want to see who the true runners are, take a peek outside during Mother Nature's next hissy fit." Jamie, that sounds like you!
ReplyDeleteI ran for eleven straight years in sleet, snow, rain, thunderstorms, or whatever. The most challenging weather I encountered was the subzero temps here in Northern Wisconsin. It wasn't uncommon for me to run in -15 degree temps...all for the sake of that "runner's high." I know exactly what you are talking about. Now I'm all about bicycling, but running will always hold a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI. Love. This post.
ReplyDeleteSo very much.
That is all.
"What's more, if the athlete is worth his or her salt and has any measure of endurance experience, he or she is not going to whine or brag about it. He or she might casually say, "Oh yeah, I ran earlier today." But will not regale listeners with tales of brutal conditions."
ReplyDeleteNot supposed to brag? Oops! When I tell people about my tough runs, it's the stuff of legends! Guess I'm not a real runner yet.
And by the way, don't you work in a gym??? Don't you have treadmills out there in Kansas???
Dang, then I guess i won't talk about my Ironman training. But I do hear you on running in cold and sleet when most people think you're nuts. It reminds me of the old Adidas adds the ones where they showed guys taping their nips, or waiting for their running shoes to dry at the laundromat and other crazy crap but they did them under the title "runners...yeah we're different."
ReplyDeleteHissy fit. I like it. That's totally what Nature does.
ReplyDeleteTainterturtles, you are way more bad ass than I am. Temperature goes sub-zero, I am hibernating. Sub-zero wind chill is okay, though.
Thanks, Pants.
Claire, we both brag about our bad ass-ness, but you've still got me beat by miles (140.6 or thereabouts). And I hate the fucking treadmill!
I'd like to see those ads, Bob. And by all means, brag away!
it's freezing here in new hampshire 3* but with the wind chill it's -10 i have a 5k race this weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou're sooo hardcore, Tami! Good luck at your 5k!
ReplyDelete