The Value of Adversity

By just about anybody's definition, this week has been cold. Monday through Wednesday, my runs took place in below zero temperatures. After a brief respite on Thursday and Friday, it dropped again this morning, with a 1:45 run in 0 degree temperatures with a 15 mph wind.

I ran outside every day this week. It took a bit of mental effort each day to get out the door into the cold, but I didn't regret it once.

Part of that is simply that I know how to dress for this weather. As my friend's dad, and others, have said: "There's no such thing as bad weather, just insufficient clothing." I've heard it with "preparation" in place of "clothing" as well, but the sentiment remains the same. As long as you're ready for it, cold weather doesn't have to force you indoors.

Besides that mental push to get out the door, though, I have always found that I thrive in this sort of weather. Once I get out the door, the cold ceases to be a barrier and becomes more of an adversary. It gives me something to run against, and I always feel great when I come back in from the cold.

The other aspect of it is, for me, the cold is beautiful Wednesday morning, in 0-degree temperatures, in the space of ten steps, I saw three bright red  male cardinals and a brilliant Blue Jay in a stretch of Lilac trees I run through most days.

Today was arguably the biggest test. I woke up to 0 degree temperatures with -20 windchill, with my longest run yet of the training cycle scheduled for the morning. I will admit to being a little apprehensive, despite the successful week of training in the cold. My prior cold outings had been less than 45 minutes. Extending that out by an hour seemed daunting at best. I gave myself the option of cutting the run short if I decided it was too much.

Quite the opposite happened. Today was my best run so far. While I was initially sore from the week, and from ice skating the night before (those stabilizer muscles are getting a workout), I felt stronger as the run went on. A bit more than an hour in, I had fully honed in on the elusive "zone,"  and was actually picking up the pace at the end of the run.

Sometimes that happens. And sometimes life throws a wrench your way, as it would later in the week.