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!