Embracing Winter Running Is Easier In The Sunshine
Late January in Michigan can be a bleak time of year. It seems like days and weeks can go by without seeing sunshine. Temperatures can drop into the teens and with the wind chill it feels like single digits. So going outside for a run takes commitment. Running on a gray, cloudy, snowy, cold morning is not fun. I do it because in order to enjoy the spring, summer and fall racing season I need to put in miles now. That’s why it’s easy to embrace those rare winter mornings with sunshine. Running on a clear, bright morning in the fresh, cold air is such a different experience. I’m not sure why it is, but being outside in the sun after days of clouds gives me new energy and a positive attitude.
Watch Your Step
One challenge with winter running, in both clouds and sunshine, is snow and ice on the roads and sidewalks. Fresh snow can actually give you good footing but there can still be ice underneath. As cars drive on untreated roads ruts and mounds of ice can form so the sidewalks may be a better place to run. It’s interesting how in some neighborhoods almost every homeowner will shovel their sidewalk and then on other streets almost no one shovels. I often wonder when there is one homeowner on the street who doesn’t clear his sidewalk, is he the center of gossip among all the other neighbors? “Can you believe Harold? He never clears his sidewalk. It makes our whole street look bad!”
Six More Weeks Of Running In The Snow?
With the bright sun this morning I actually saw my shadow! There was no groundhog around but since I saw my shadow does that mean we’re going to have six more weeks of running in the snow?
As long as the sun is shining, six more weeks of winter is fine with me.