My Discovery of Winter Running!
Ever see those runners outside in the dead of winter, while you are warm and toasty in your car? You are staring at them thinking, "What the hell is wrong with those people?" Yup! I was one of those people. And now I am one of "those" people who are running outside in the dead of winter. But it took a special shoe to become "those" people.
As much as summer is a great time to be in the outdoors and run, it kinda sucks! Heat, bugs, sun burn, and lots and lots of people in your way. And did I mention bugs. Yes, I have this thing with bugs. I don't like them.
I started running in my 30's, late in the Spring. By the time the temperatures hit the 30's, I turned to the dreaded treadmill. Don't get me wrong, treadmill runs has it's benefits. However, as I became more addicted to road running, the treadmill became my frenemy. I can tell you I have actually cried when I all I had was the treadmill to turn to. I didn't want to lose my running streak, but I was too scared to run in the cold. Mostly scared to slip or fall on ice. Plus I didn't want to be "those" people!
After many hateful love affairs with the treadmill, I discovered trail running shoes. You know the ones that have spikes on the soles. Or the ones with hard ridges at the bottom to help you from slipping. Kind of crazy that it took 40 years for me to discover this! But it happened. And was I so glad it did. I was like a kid in a candy store, getting excited about buying winter running shoes. Did my research and found the perfect pair. Then the cool running gear became my obsession. Wool socks, gloves, hats, and all the stylish apparel that's out there, happened to drain my bank account. I was hooked!
Now for the run. The first day that I was finally ready to do my run, it was snowing with a temperature barely hitting 25 degrees. Was the universe trying to tell me something? Maybe this wasn't for me. So I contemplated for a good 20 minutes, on why I shouldn't go out and run. But I was running out of excuses. I had the right gear I just dint believe I could do it. So I told myself that I will give it a try for the first 10 minutes and then walk home.
Running in the cold is no joke. My lungs were on fire. But then the adrenaline kicked in and I couldn't stop. Four miles later. I know crazy. Four damn miles! It was one of the BEST runs of my life. And of course I had bragging rights. The snow fall became a snow storm and I was running in it! I am now proudly one of "those" people!