It didn't feel like New Year's eve. It certainly didn't look like it! The temperature was in the 40's, the trail around Waterfall Glen was somewhat crowded, and there was no snow in sight. It was more like a typical Saturday morning run rather than a holiday weekend. Except that the calendar really read December 31st, which is definitely New Year's eve, the final day of the year.
And I can't think of a better way to observe the occasion than a nice run around Waterfall Glen with they guys I've been running with for so many years.
Normally during the holidays it's hard for our group to get together. Many of us travel or have family responsibilities that keep us from running as a group during the holidays. For some reason, that wasn't the case this year. Two of our best turnouts of the year among the regular, or semi-regular members of our group, were Christmas eve and New Year's eve.
I'm not sure whether that's significant, but our conversation during the run was. As was fitting for the end of one year and the beginning of another, we talked about our best races of 2011, and our goals for 2012. I have to admit my goals are still unclear at this point. I know I don't want to stay stagnant, and want new experiences, but I'm not sure what I want to pursue at this point. It's fun to go faster at shorter distances, but it's also satisfying to run well in longer races, like the marathon. I guess I need a few more weeks to figure it out.
My friend Rick observed that the mild winter so far might very well translate into faster early season times next spring for many runners, because we are able to better train outdoors so far. That makes sense. But I have to imagine there is still some winter wrath to face in the next couple months.
Since moving to the burbs and joining the Elmhurst Running Club a few years ago, I have generally started my new year with the club's new year's day run. Stranded with no babysitter this year, I was dissapointed to have to miss it this year. Instead I found myself on a treadmill grinding out a few miles later on Sunday afternoon. It wasn't fun. But the run the day before was so enjoyable, I feel like I have no right to complain.
And if there is a message in that for the coming year, I guess it's a reminder that sometimes you have to grind out a mundane run in order to appreciate the extraordinary ones. This is starting to feel more like Thanksgiving than New Years, but I am truly thankful for all that running has given me, and I look forward to much more in the year ahead.
Happy New Year! See you on the trails......
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