Facing the Wind

When it comes to winter running, I hate it! I hate the biting cold that enters your lungs with every breath, the possible slip on unseen black ice, and the fact that no matter what time you get out to run, it's dark. That being said, I despise treadmills even more! So at 4:18am, with my Ironman reflective bands on and some high tempo techno blasting from my Ipod, I took off down the road. Not a single car on the road, I was just started to get into the groove, when I was smacked in the face by a high powered gust of wind! Five seconds later, a light freezing rain began to blow sideways on my cheeks. My car wasn't too far away . . . I could easily turn back! Then I thought, at this hour, I am the only person who will know I gave up this morning. And so I ran! 3.5miles of "resistance training" with the wind slapping me across the face and threatening to push me over. The stronger the wind, the harder I ran. Songs that had accompanied me in my Half Marathon kept my feet from slacking and reminded me of all I had overcome in a year. With my car in sight, I sprinted to the finish and laughed like I just won against my biggest competitor! I felt refreshed, like I finally broke through the rut the winter season had put me into! And I think now, I just might go for the 10-miler at Pear Blossom! 

"Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body."
-Lynn Jennings