If anyone is a Facebook friend of mine, or following me on Twitter, you’ll know my updates have been taken over by some evil running creature who won’t stop talking about running or make references to running in below freezing temperatures. 3 of the 5 latest people I’ve started following on Twitter are running-related (yep, the likes of @marathonnut, @runnersworld, and @BAA). BAA? Boston Athletic Association aka organizers of the Boston Marathon. Sheesh.
This evil creature has reared its ugly head and has ensnared me in its addictive claws. Need proof, well, let’s take a look. The following questions are questions asked when trying to identify an addiction:
- Are there any major changes in behaviour? I’ve started running every other day. Nuff said.
- Does the person want to be alone more than usual? Well, no one else runs with me so I have no choice.
- Does the person spend more time away from home? Uhh… yeah. I’m out running.
- Are there phone calls at odd hours? Well, since I now get up 2 hours before I normally used to, I now answer any calls in that time. I think that counts.
- Are there major changes in friends? Have you not been paying attention? 3 of the last 5 follows on Twitter have been running-related.
- Has there been a change in energy levels? Uh-huh. I’ve got more than I know what to do with and I sleep soundly at night.
- Has there been a dramatic change in eating habits? I get extremely munchy on days I’m not running. Does that count?
Hmm… it looks like I may have a problem.
Alright, but in all seriousness, I love running. Running in the winter? Adore it. I used to look askance at runners who ran in the cold, frigid temperatures of the Canadian winters… really? REALLY? Who do they think they are? Don’t they realize it’s COLD out?
And then I tried it. One -7˚C morning, with my layers of long-sleeved tees and tights, my iPod primed and ready to go, I stepped outside my apartment building and put one foot down. And then the other. Rinsed and repeated. After 5 minutes, I felt unstoppable. Cold? What cold? Snow? Pfft. It dawned on me that the one problem I get when working out wasn’t really an issue… I wasn’t dripping with sweat in the first 5 minutes. The cold, crisp air kept my sweat glands in check and the absence of stifling humidity or heat was a godsend. Trees flew by, ice crunched underfoot and the only thing I knew at that moment was with each chilled breath I took and every beat through my earbuds, it felt good. Running felt right.
Running has brought a new feeling to my body that I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s like that old baby blanket packed in a box somewhere that you’ve unearthed after 20 years or an unexpected call from a friend long past. It’s comforting and exciting. And surprisingly addictive.
I think it’s appropriate to leave an image of the one thing I cannot run without (beyond the obvious… running shoes, clothes, the necessities). Thanks KP… probably one of the best things you could have ever given me.
Happy running!
