Running In Place

Recently, one of my rural patients shared an old saying with me that seems to be close to true. In talking to me about the many deaths of older folks in her town of about 200 people, she said, “Green Christmas; Full Church yard,” which is evidently to say that when there is a winter of relatively little snow there will be a full cemetery. At the very least, in my own small world, I am seeing an inordinately high amount of sickness - there has been a respiratory bug and a GI bug going around the area that has attacked nearly every one I know at some recent time or another and the hospitals in the area have ER’s stacked high with the afflicted.

In addition to the apparent health effects of the tepid temperatures, I just find it dispiriting to look out the window and see a lawn full of brown grass and bare trees, rain puddles, and mud. The fact that it never quite manages to get too cold or too warm has equalled more sleet and freezing rain than fluffy snow, and the driving can be more treacherous than in a blizzard.

Running has been difficult in the past week because of the mostly icey conditions and I am grateful to have thus far avoided any falls or ankle twists. Happily, yesterday’s run was a beautiful, snowy run that had that effect of totally renewing the spirit. The temperature had finally gone down again (26F) and there were big fat, fluffy flakes coming down. I went to a trail that I hadn’t been to in quite awhile and found the parking area to be deserted, and unplowed. The driving to get there was actually a little challenging so I figured I wouldn’t run into anyone else making the effort to drive in the snow to run in the snow. Once out in the woods, it could not have been a more idyllic setting - utter quiet other than the sound of snow flakes ticking on my nylon jacket, trees covered in white, and just a sense of peaceful isolation and aloneness. As I have been, I just ran with no attention to pace or distance, and as it has been, it was utterly satisfying and enjoyable. When I finished, I had rosy cheeks and big snowflakes on my eyelashes and I felt bright and new. It’s not snowing today but still in the mid-20’sF and plenty white out so I’m looking forward to another winter run. Next week the temps are anticipated to warm up to the 40’s again so good-bye snow and hello mud. For now I’ll make the most of the white stuff.

A note on gear: Silk long johns are a rockin’ base layer.

A note on what’s next: I am really enjoying this just running thing but I know that eventually I am going to have to start paying attention and start training if I am going to run the Boilermaker. My plan is to continue with what I’m doing through the rest of this month and then start looking at the many training plans and programs that are going to be available around the area for this race. My experience with the the running club I joined has been unimpressive to say the least. I sent my membership app. and dues in October, never heard a thing and the check was not even cashed until December. So far the newsletter and t-shirt has not been forthcoming, the web site hasn’t been updated, and no one answers my e-mails. Maybe they’re in hibernation.

No matter, I’m off to play in the snow!!