Snowed in

It's been a few weeks since my last post and I must admit I have been thinking about what I want to put up, but haven't found the time to put it down "on paper".  There have been a few hurdles to overcome the last few weeks.  I've started a new position and while I try to learn what I am supposed to be doing I have been working very long days.  I am happy to report that I have done a good job of staying on my training schedule, for the most part.  In addition to the stress and time restraints there has been an obscene amount of snow and cold weather.  But I have been living the mantra "but it doesn't matter", because I've got a race to get ready for.  See below...

It may appear that I have aged twenty-five years but the white around my face is frost that formed in my hair!

In the last few weeks I have not had any injuries or aches and pains.  My knees, shins, calves and toes feel great.  I haven't even needed to take ibuprofen, with the exception of my long runs.  Unfortunately, Sam aquired an overuse injury on his knee.  He has missed a whole week of training and I don't think he is going to be ready for the May 16th race.  I am really disappointed that I won't have him to run with, but I don't want him to be hurt even more than I want to run with him.  He promised to run with me whenever we are together.

The last few days I have been running at the wellness center in Moorefield.  I have learned quickly not to run next to the women on the other treadmills if I can avoid it.  No, I'm not being snobbish!  I had two days in a row where the woman next to me had on very strong perfume.  Trust me it is the longest thirty minutes of your life when you are running and don't want to breathe!

This weekend is an eight miler...I'm actually looking forward to it.

Rocky IV

I'm not much of a Rocky fan, but I know that in Rocky IV Rocky Balboa trained in the snowy countryside of Russia for his fight with Ivan Drago. My run this week reminded me of this scene. I ran at Brighton Park in Moorefield. It is a very quaint park with a mile track encircling it. When I arrived the path had been cleared off but was lightly covered with snow. By the time I left my original footprints had disappeared and I was kicking snow onto my back.

I honestly thought I was living the "but it doesn't matter" mantra by running outside despite the snowy weather. I've learned that if there is a smarter way to finish my training, I should opt for that. What I mean is that day I was contemplating hitting the gym and doing my four mile run on a treadmill, but I guess I wanted to prove how tough I am. And it turns out I'm not so tough after all.

The cold temperature and snow blowing in my face were the least of my worries. What really slowed me down and hindered my movements was the snow accumulating on the path. It was difficult to find my footing and after each 1/4 mile the snow would pack on the heel of my shoe making it difficult to keep my balance. I must have looked like a fool...not just that I was running is a snow storm at night, but that I had to keep stopping to stomp my feet and clear off my shoes.

Today I shared my folly with some folks from work and I think I have my co-worker Robin about 35% convinced that she should start training for her first marathon. At first she was skeptical, saying she is too old to start training. After I scoffed at her remark I told her about my dad, my inspiration.

It wasn't until long after our conversation I thought about the runner that inspired my dad to run a marathon in every state. At his first marathon my dad met a runner in his 70s that had set a goal to run a marathon in all fifty states. And this guy wasn't on his fiftieth race either! He was someone that recognized that he needed to do something extraordinary in his life and he wasn't going to let something like how old he was get in his way. He was going to do it, even if it was at his seventy-year-old pace.

I'm sure it could appear to an outsider that I am being selfish by trying to recruit Robin as a running buddy. Even if this has a shimmer of truth to it I really think that Robin has a desire to accomplish something extraordinary too. I hope she chooses to join the growing masses.

Another possible recruit is our good friend James, who is thinking about training too. He bought the book at least. I think the real commitment comes when the runner chooses their race. I'm excited to hear which race Robin and James will be running in.

The forecast doesn't call for snow again until Friday, so I think I'll give Brighton Park another shot for my three mile run. I'm going to try and run without my headphones which could lead to an interesting next post. I hope it goes well!