I am an outdoor runner. I am fortunate enough to live in an area nicknamed "The Land of 10,000 Lakes." Really, there probably are that many plus some. Around those lakes are paths that during good weather are filled with people walking, talking, bike riding - and yes - running. I love running around the lake because the water is amazingly beautiful to watch and is a great distraction when I get tired. It also doesn't hurt that you can't just quit half way around the lake because you have to get back to your car somehow!
Well, as the fall turns to winter, my beloved Land of 10,000 Lakes becomes more like the Land of 10,000 Frozen Puddles. The air becomes to chilly to breathe and the paths snow-covered.
This is the time of year that I have been dreading. No, no - not winter. Treadmill season. The time of year that I am forced indoors onto that heavy contraption that spins round and round. I hate the treadmill. First of all, you have the amount of time in huge numbers right in front of your face...nothing like making the minutes pass like hours as they slowly go by right before your eyes. (Thanks to my friend A, I started putting a towel over that part - thank god). Second, you don't ever go anywhere! I mean, you run and run for miles and are still in the same place you started. Finally, there is nothing interesting to see. In fact, I spend most of my time at a gym where the treadmills have been so thoughtfully placed DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF A MIRROR. Yes folks, it is awesome to do nothing but watch yourself sweat and look tired the entire time you run. Awesome.
This evening I completed yet another session of treadmill torture after work. As I left the building - still wearing my workout clothes - the feeling of my feet hitting the sidewalk and pavement felt oh so nice. Although I'd just run for 4 miles, I was feeling invigorated, like I could run 4 more! I thought to myself: "It isn't too cold! I can just bundle up and face Old Man Winter!"
I started to daydream of the type of cold-weather running clothes I would need to purchase as I walked to my car. I'd need a better jacket, a face mask, a new hat, some new glo....ahhh! <--------- this is when I slipped on the ice and nearly fell on my ass.
And that my friends is the real reason I don't run outside in the winter.
