Monday, December 13, 2010

Running is the best drug.

Yesterday we were hit with a snow storm in Amherstburg.... I suppose it was inevitable.

There has been so much going on over the past couple weeks that I've not been getting my runs in.

Last night around 7:30 pm I finally had the opportunity.  Knowing how bad the weather was, I decided to run on the sidewalks in the well lit area of town.  I wanted to be seen by drivers so as not to get run over.  You see, I packed all of my running clothes except a black jacket and black pants.  Not too bright ;-)

I was scheduled for a 16 miler.  I thought I would do an 8 mile 'out and back' twice.... it's 4 miles from my house to where the sidewalk ends.

Photo of my back yard shortly after the storm started.  

Did I mention that there was a crazy blizzard/ snow squall happening as I left?  The snow was ankle deep and the temperature felt like -17 Celsius (1.4 F).   Not to mention, the gusts of wind that were travelling up to 45 km an hour (roughly 30 MPH).

I really needed this and nothing was going to stop me.  I set my mind free and ran.  I felt the tension and the worry slip away with each step.  I got lost in my thoughts, and for a time, everything was ok.... the world seemed right.

At the 4 mile mark I turned around into a head wind.  My left eye quickly froze shut and the left side of my face began to hurt, but it was still a fantastic run.

I looked at the time as I entered the house to refuel.... It took me 1:41:27 to run 8.06 miles.  I figured that I would get slower and wouldn't be back until afer 11pm.... I quickly chose to stay in the warm house.... I managed a 30 minute bike ride before I decided that I was completely exhausted.  I called it quits.

When times are tough,  running is the best remedy for me.

What is your 'Remedy'?


Gotta run.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Great stuff, that's what running is all about. I think that running in tougher conditions make it all the more rewarding, if only for bragging rights with you friends. The trouble is they just think your mad!!

northernbliss said...

I'm glad you got a run in - you certainly needed it. See you Wednesday!!!