Ready for Spring?

Wouldn't it be nice if spring were really imminent?  Remember how simple it is to run when the weather is warm?  T-shirt, Shorts, Shoes and you're out the door.  The extreme conditions we've been dealing with complicate everything.  There are too many decisions to make.  You have to figure out how many layers to wear, how heavy those layers should be, and what route might be most clear.  Lately, I've had to figure out new routes entirely to avoid the huge piles of snow.  Obviously, it's just not that much fun.  That's why I'm posting this picture.  It's from last July.  I just like remembering what it's like to run in that weather!

I was reading Dean Karnazes' book abut running 50 marathons in 50 days, and he wrote something that I thought was surprising about his own thoughts about running.  He admitted he doesn't really enjoy running all that much.  That's quite a statement from someone who most would look at and believe is addicted to the sport.  I would probably fall into that category as well, though I don't run anywhere near the distances or times that ultra-marathon runners like Dean do.  But he went on to explain that he doesn't really enjoy the activity of running, because it's painful much of the time.  It takes work.  But he does like the way it makes him feel, and he enjoys the rewards of running.  It's a sacrifice that is filled with rewards.

I think I agree with that assessment, even though it's basically my paraphrase from what I remember from the book.  But it also applies to winter training.  It's even more difficult to train in the winter than otherwise.  One of the things that drives me, however, is the belief that there is a reward at the end.  In this case the reward is being in shape to run a spring marathon.  And the greater the investment I make in winter running, hopefully, the greater reward I'll get when the marathon comes around.  That might mean a faster time, or simply a more enjoyable experience from being in better shape. 

Either way, after a winter like the one we're dealing with now, it will be nice just to run in shorts again!

Now, for a quick follow-up to my comments on Governor Blagojevich last week in this space.  Coincidently, I saw him briefly last week.  I was the lone reporter waiting for him to leave his attorney's office in the loop.  It was strange, because I have a good relationship with him, but we were in our work roles.  So it was my job to fire a couple questions at him about his legal representation during the upcoming impeachment hearing, and his to try to get to his waiting car as quickly as he could to avoid those questions. 

We basically had about a 30 yard walk to his car, or less than a minute to ask what I could.  And, believe it or not, we used about half that time up when he started off by asking about how my running is going!  Obviously, this is a man who has major issues to deal with in his life right now, but he is a runner, and that is always a part of his life as well.

Suffice to say, after exchanging a couple comments about running, I managed to get a five word answer about the impeachment hearings before we cordially said goodbye and his driver drove off.  I never got to ask him why he has been going out on runs in this cold weather without gloves or a hat!

Anyway, the cold can't last forever.  We can brave it for a little longer.  I'll see you on the roads.....

Comments

[John Garcia]

I do not know how Blago can run w/out a hat and gloves but wanted to remind you that you'll be running in shorts soon- happy bday!