Lackadaisical Running

     "lackadaisical". I feel like that's my word for the month, as for getting my tail out on the trail and burning some calories. It amazes me the number of things that can happen in an individuals life to avert their attention from the necessities of balance. Taxes, Holiday's, getting ready for spring planting, financial adjustments, and even a friend from college days passing on. It's at moments like this that I marvel at those who can handle more than this very calmly.

    So, it is I find myself feeling a bit more lethargic currently, about getting out to run. Not every time, but enough it's annoying. Man, I never use to be this way. If writing this junk down is healing, then I feel better. So, on I go running 2-3 times a week, and yet it still feels insufficient. Probably because at the moment I feel way out of my training zone and barely ready for a 5K. I'm probably wrong and just whining. Usually by the first or second mile I'm warmed up and feeling better about the run. It's funny though, 2 weeks ago I had a Sunday run and it was like 15 degrees (F) outside. That Tuesday I ran again and it was about 55 degrees (F). That just messes with my mind man. I mean I'm wearing cold gear one day freezing my tail off until I get to the tree buffer, out of the wind, and warm-up, and then the next run I'm wearing shorts and a T. Tennessee weather is physcotic. Next steps, keep running (increasing long runs), and get back on the saddle. It's been like two months since I've touched my bike. Poor thing is lonely out there in the garage.

Christmas Vacation - Runs

Distance: on 2 runs totaling about 6.5 miles
Temperature: -16 or -17 C or for some that's 1-3 degrees F

Before I left for Oshawa, CA for a little break, I set a goal of getting back on the trail weekly. It took two runs in insanely cold temperatures to quell that thought until I got back home. Honestly, it would have been OK, but I was definitely unprepared for such low temps. I was adequately dressed from my feet to my armpits. However, on the second run, the one with temps at 1-3 F, I hit my turn around and knew it was important to get back soon. I would realize just how important that would be when I hit the first open field and understood that I had to keep running/moving otherwise I would be in trouble. I forget what it's like to live near large water. The breeze comes in at night and goes out in the AM, and this place was no exception. The breeze across the open areas was brutal. I'm guessing with everything added up the temp going back was close to -3 to -6 degrees Fahrenheit. I didn't have enough layers to sufficiently protect my arms and face. My hands kept warm and my head was OK, but the arms are still a little numb in areas. This was the first time I've made a pretty serious mistake in quite a while. NOTE TO SELF: when it comes to running gear and vacation - ALWAYS take more then you think you'll need.

I did show myself that I was still in pretty good condition though, even after not running for a few weeks.