2021.11.10 - Light the Winter Running Fire!
The weather is about to go to hell on us, it’s time to light the winter running fire. I admit to not being a fan of the cold, I don’t like to work in it, stand around in it or do the day-to-day stuff in it. That said, the only thing I don’t mind is going for a run in the cold. We can always dress for a winter run, unlike a hot summer run with few options. Running into darkness and clicking on the headlamp, putting fresh tracks into new snow, or running into a frozen sunrise all add a layer of adventure not found with a so-called, nice day. Finishing a run on a wicked day brings a sense of accomplishment and a lift to our self-esteem, often, leaving us with a smug smile of satisfaction on our face that will have others wondering, what’s up?
Let’s dominate our environment!
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, with piles of laundry to prove it!
Ego has no place in our sport, an old message but so important in these days of social media, and it’s more like social media on steroids after a year of pandemic pandemonium. We must never compare our running to anyone else’s. Our pace, mileage and every aspect of our fitness and health are uniquely our own. Every mile we put in is incredible, there are no easy runs. In this complicated world, just getting out the door is something we can be proud of. So, when I see posts of people running 20 miles on a Tuesday morning at a pace I can’t even run a mile, when just a minute before I was thrilled that I got out and ran two miles, that my effort seems diminished, WHEN IT WAS NOT IN THE LEAST! As I said, an old but important message, ego has no place … My 2 miles rocked!
Randy, the so-called obsessed runner here. Feeling like a poser after 3 months of low miles due to a couple of pains. When not running, from being on the mend or when our busy lives sweep us away, or when we just fall into a funk, it’s common to feel guilty and to hide from all aspects of running. For me, I stopped writing about it, stopped listening to running podcasts, and avoided looking at my Strava run app. As I’ve said often, I write this midweek to myself, to do some soul searching but also with the hopes that it might strike a chord with others facing similar demons. That said, I should know better than to feel guilty and hide but there I went, hiding from a fact that I know, that is, once a runner, we are always runners, It’s a part of us, even when we are not running. We know what the running life is like, we know the joy and the heartache. Trying to hide is not a productive road to finding our way back. So, we can give our running a rest, without hiding, knowing our bodies and minds will let us know when to return … and perhaps some aspect of what we read, hear or see, involving running, will create the spark.
I ran by a port-o-jon this morning and as odd as it may sound, the smell reminded me of all I miss about live events. Small things like the friendly banter in the start corrals and the odd gap of time between the starting gun and when we finally start to move forward. And the big stuff, like crossing the finish line and the shared celebration of accomplishment and hard earned pain. Races are finally inching their way back, they look a bit different with staggered starts, social distancing and mask wearing at pinch points but the basics, a running clock, a measured distance and our effort to run our planned pace and accomplish our goals makes the small stuff seem a small inconvenience.
Lack of human companionship due to COVID-19 and endless cold, gray days are taking a toll. I headed out this morning into an icy wind, I overdressed a bit to help mentally get my butt out the door and to take the initial slap out of it, knowing I would regret the layers after a while as I started to sweat and create more of a chilling problem. When I do this I will often wear a pack to take off layers or to add them, usually just on the long run, a mistake not to have had it today. Live and learn, sometimes. Anyway, we ran along in a silent cold funk but getting it done. Once home, into a hot shower, and now sitting here all cozy with a cup of tea, I’m feeling fulfilled, thinking, what a valuable and awesome run I got in. The moral of this? We run to experience the high highs and the low lows. At this difficult time, it’s as close as we get to feeling totally awake, alive, and living in full color.
I’m having an up day on the Covid rollercoaster. I usually don’t talk specifically about my running but I’m taking some personal satisfaction with my weekly trail half marathon streak during Covid. I’ve been enjoying the motivational monthly challenges from our incredibly creative RF Events Crew, and my weekly 13.1 miles fits nicely with the mileage goals. Yes, I tear up each weekend as another live event that would have happened pops up on my daily alerts. The Bonfyre trail run would have been Saturday, what a glorious day it would have been, I think the post race party would have gone on till sunset, dang. Until live racing is back, if you have not joined a challenge, consider joining me on the HolliYAY 50K in December, just after November’s Beaver Moon has set! Yep, the RF Events Crew is creative, to say the least.
We miss couple days of running, this turns into a week of not running, then … A slippery slope that can take us to no running at all and a gray cloud that hangs over us as we are reminded daily, when we see runners out there, that we are off the wagon. If getting back to the run was easy, I would not be writing this. The time we put aside for the run gets swallowed by a busy life and our loss of fitness becomes a barrier of pain we know will be in front of us when we attempt to run again. So, what will get us back to being a runner? Courage. Remember, you had the courage to start, the courage is within you to start again.
When life slams you to rock bottom, pulling off the daily run may be the most difficult move you can imagine. If you are feeling this way, it’s time to block out the pain, the world and get out that door and let the run shoulder some of your burden. Perhaps if you instill this concept deep in your consciousness it will propel you and make the first steps possible. Once out the door, your mind will be flooded with a million reason you need to be anywhere but out running. If you avoid all thought for a second, everything that the run has to offer will have a chance to fight it’s way in, perhaps offering you strength, clarity and hope. If even for a few minutes. Repeat over the days ahead.