So Long, Sunshine
So Long, Sunshine

You know you’re a runner when you plan your week around when you’ll be able to get your runs in.

And yet, come winter, this planning can get a bit tricky thanks to the decline in daylight. Tricky, yet still doable—thank God! Seriously I’d be a mess if I had to take winters off from running. These next few months are always hard enough—what, with the cold temperatures, the pressure of the holidays and the general lack of sunshine. For those of us who use running as a way to help cope with life, it truly is a blessing, especially this time of year. Helps us find balance. Helps us be our better (if not our best) selves.

I don’t take a single run for granted. I’m filled with gratitude for both the ability and the desire to be at it each time I’m out there. It’s a gift. One I plan on enjoying for as long as I can. And while I get that it’s not for everyone, for those of us who do love it, it’s a part of who we are—a go-to stress reliever, a non-negotiable part of our routine, a time-out in the best way possible, and a fail-proof way to steer us back to ‘us’ whenever we’re in need of it.

There are all kinds of hobbies and habits to be had. Personally, I traded smoking for running a little over eight years ago. Figured I couldn’t do both and I was tired of feeling like a slave to cigarettes, so I poured myself into running. Was it hard in the beginning? Absolutely! But stick with it long enough and you get stronger. Can go farther. You find your rhythm. And, if you’re anything like me, somewhere along the way you fall in love with it.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy it more when the weather’s more summer-y than winter-ish. But there is something to be said for that bad-ass feeling you get when you’re out there enduring the harsher elements. It builds character, by teaching you how to dig deep for the inspiration you need to persevere in circumstances that are less than desirable. And that carries over into way more than just your running.

So, yeah, you can bet I plan on hitting the trails this afternoon. During my two hour window of daylight between the time I get off work and the sun goes down. All layered up and with a big ‘ole smile.

*************
Reposted with permission from 1BeautifulJourney.com

 
 
Seen a lot of slim chicks posting their

workouts on here so I thought I'd join 

the fun
Warning : I will bully every one of you

into daily stretches, plyo drills, crazy 

intervals, lifting heavy weights and 

epic long runs
104 °F.....  As my Grandma says, 

"Marathon training ain't for p*ssies."



Crazy old lady is right.

New Featured eBibs

Run hills they said....it'll be fun  they said.
Better sore than sorry!!!
Good things come slow, especially in distance running.
Never thought I would spend my hard earned money for shoes and gear, train for months, pay an entry  fee, get up early, and  drive an hour, just  to run in a race that  I hope to last less  than 30 minutes...
Why can't people just plan  their parties around my  race schedule??
We have a lot in common- that's what makes us such good friends. That, and we're in different age groups.
Happiness is when your miles are finally updated on your running app! Because they don't count if they aren't there!
You might be a runner if you're too cool to dress up for Halloween, but  spend most weekends in costume  for a themed race.
Satellite...satellite...satellite...satellite... Come on already!
Went for a quick run along  Lake Michigan...  I think I'm now in Wisconsin.
It's 2015 and food can still make you  fat... Get it together Science!
Runner's High.  Still legal in all 50 states.
Can you come pick me up? Where  am I? Well I was on a runner's high  and I think I am in Ohio.
It's not the heat, it's the humidity... and the morons.
I've been waiting all winter to start  complaining about the summer heat.
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