A Character Run
Posted on 24. Jan, 2012 by Joe in Random Runs
Whether you are running, cycling, swimming, or whatever activity you prefer to take part it, every once in awhile you have one of those “character-building” outings. I’m sure you know what I mean. Whether it is the conditions, how much sleep you are working on, the fact you downed a burrito before heading out, whatever. The stars don’t quite align for you and instead of hitting cruise control for your outing, it is instead transformed into a struggle.
Late last week I had one of those runs. Recently, I have been doing a fair share of my runs either on the treadmill or inside on the local YMCA track. There has just been enough snow on the ground to make doing my lunchtime runs outside a little too dicey for my liking. Well, last week the snow had finally receded enough to give me a clear road shoulder to work with. So, it was with slightly restrained glee that I headed out for a four mile run during lunch.
Though, that glee would soon be squashed.
You see, in my excitement over being able to get outside for a run, I completely discounted the fact it was 34 degrees and that there would be a stiff 25-30 mph wind in my face for the first two miles. Breathing comfortably quickly became a challenge as the cold stiff wind smacked me in the face. It didn’t help that the first half of my run was an intermittent climb uphill. I was transported back to some of the tougher runs of my marathon training last year.
That is when it clicked. Instead of bemoaning the fact it was a brutal run, I embraced it. I thought, these are the runs that build character! You know, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? Throw in any random sports cliche you wish. It doesn’t matter. I went back to that place, where the struggle is a bit of a rush.
As I reached my two mile mark I headed back the way I came, wind at my back. A few minutes later, I wished I had more time. I wanted to turn around and go back again. Especially so as the snowflakes started lightly falling towards the end of the run.
By the time I had showered and heated up my lunch, there was a steady wind blown snow outside. Some of the people in the office asked questions like “did you really run out there?” or “are you nuts?”. I was mildly amused that some sort of urban legend was being born. Especially so as the weather slowly deteriorated over the afternoon and my gym bag sat in my cubicle as some twisted badge of honor whose notoriety was falsely enhanced as the weather got worse throughout the afternoon.
By the time I packed up for the day, the weather was downright awful. I dragged myself to the car, dusted off the snow, and was baffled at how I got a lunch run in on a day like this. What was a tough run seemed like a walk in the park now. As I drove home, it became a complete zero visibility whiteout. I was white knuckled, unable to see two feet in front of my car, using people’s mailboxes as I passed them as an assurance I was still on the road.
For a brief moment, though, I will admit that the thought crossed my mind….
It would be pretty cool to run in this…
Photo courtesy of dabinsi via Flickr.com
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