SUMMER vs WINTER

RUNNING...

As the summer heats up, I find myself reflecting on my love/hate relationship with 'summer running'.  To be fair, I do the same thing when winter rolls around.  Given that I run outside 95% of the year, I have come to appreciate both seasons and all they have to offer.  And then, if I'm being honest here, I tend to curse them both when they begin to drive me bananas.  After four months of battling the cold and ice that winter throws at me, I find myself craving the warm temps of summer.  And then, after four months of fighting the heat and humidity of summer, I can't wait to bundle up in layers and see my breath again in the frigid winter air.   Sure, spring and fall are in there, too.  And, truth be told, those are the best seasons for a runner.  Not too hot, not too cold.  Not to wet, not too dry.  But, realistically, within those two seasons, there might be a dozen 'perfect' running days.  And the rest, well, they kind of fall on the winter or summer spectrum somewhere.  As far as weather goes, runners are typically braving some sort of element every time they head out the door.  It's part of the challenge.  It keeps things interesting.  And no matter what the weather, we continue head out, day in and day out and face the cards that have been dealt.  We seem to miss "winter running" in the summer and miss "summer running" in the winter.  Grass is always greener.  At the moment, though, I'm loving summer.  Ask me again in a month or so.  

Post-summer run.

SUMMER PROS:

~ You get to shed your winter layers…all 10 of them.

~ You're no longer fighting with the snow, sleet, wind and freezing temperatures.

~ You can finally feel your fingers and toes again.

~ You get more daylight to squeeze your run in.

~ The roads are clear and no longer a safety hazard.

~ Post-run iced coffee…tastes….so…good.

~ When you're done, you feel amazing.

Post-winter run.
(I know, I use this photo a lot)

WINTER PROS

~ You aren't dripping with sweat within the first 5 minutes of every run.

~ You're not fighting the heat and humidity, struggling to breath and dying of thirst.

~ You often feel lighter and faster in the cooler temperatures.

~ The pollen is FINALLY gone and the air is clear and crisp.

~ Post-run hot coffee….tastes…so…good.

~ When you're done, you feel amazing.

Okay, so after reading this, I do realize that most of the pros of summer are related to the fact that you are no longer dealing with the cons of winter and vice versa.  But, no matter what the pros and cons are, the outcome is the usually the same.  After a run, regardless of the season, you're probably going to feel pretty damn good.

...AND MUSIC

Listen to this:

Body of Work - The Mynabirds  

You Never Know

RUNNING...

Rocky, the moon-walking raccoon.

This past Monday, I was cruising along in the first mile of my run; totally zoned out, and relying heavily on my music to wake me up.  I caught something out of the corner of my eye that looked like a cat, which I opted to ignore.  As I got closer, though, I realized it was a raccoon and he was definitely not well. It looked kind of like he was doing the moon walk in slow motion.  I panicked and crossed the street, praying that he wasn't going to lash out and start chasing me.  Let's just say my pace quickened nicely after that.  About a half mile down the road, I noticed a policeman sitting in a playground parking lot.  I decided it might be worth letting him know that crazy Rocky was behind me and that he didn't look like he would be friendly if a kid walked up and tried to pet him.  Here's how our conversation went:

Officer: Morning, mam.  Can I help you with something?
Me: Well, I just saw a rabid-looking raccoon on the bridge back there. It kind of looked like he might be dying.
Officer: Yea? Was he walking like he was drunk?
Me: Yes. Exactly.  At first I thought it was a cat and then as I got closer I realized what it was.  He looked right at me so I kind of freaked out and bee-lined it across the street.
Officer: (with a completely deadpan expression on his face) Yea? Did he make you run faster?  
Me: Um, yes. I guess he did.  I suppose if there was a rabid raccoon at every mile I'd run a pretty fast race.
Officer: (small smirk, but not much more than that) I bet you would, mam.
Me: Well, ok then. Just thought I should let you know.
Officer.  I'll go check it out.  Thanks for the heads up.  Have a good run.
Me: Thanks officer.

I then took off at a relatively swift clip and laughed as I replayed the conversation in my head.  I came up with several conclusions as I thought it through.  First, wild and crazy things (ie. moon walking animals) will definitely jump start your run and get you moving faster.  Do what you will what that.  Second, this policeman was either totally serious and perhaps a runner himself, or he was totally f'ing with me the whole time.  I'm going to go with the former, but it was more likely that latter.  I honestly couldn't tell.  And finally, you truly never know what you're gonna get every time you step out your door to go running.  It's worth it for that alone, right?

....AND MUSIC

Listen to this:
Own It - Sojourn Society

Rise & Shine

RUNNING...

Over the week-end, a group of us met up in Maine for a little reunion of sorts.  There were four families with a total of 8 kids (ages 6-10).  We had a complete blast.  Sadly, however, I came to the realization that my own kids, particularly my 8 year old, are willing and able to stay up as late, if not later, than I am.  What?? Needless to say, I was a wee bit tired this morning.  Totally my own doing, so no complaints.  As I drank my coffee and checked email (translation: procrastinated), I poked around in my music library and tried to find some upbeat ditties to get me motivated for the 12 miler that I was about to tackle.  Turns out, at 7:00am, I don't need Flo Rida to find that 'good feeling' or Nicki Minaj to 'pound the alarm' for me.  I love those guys, but there is a time and a place for them, and in my case, it's when I'm out on the road or at a dance party.  Right, no, so I haven't been to a dance party in while.  I do love a good dance party, though.  I digress.  Early on a Monday morning before a long run, I just needed to dig up some solid, upbeat, good....no great...music to get my internal gears to start shifting into 'move' mode.  Here's what I came up with.  Happy Monday.

...AND MUSIC 

TUNES TO GET YOU MOVING ON A MONDAY MORNING

LISTEN TO THESE:
A Million Years - Alexander  
Orpheo Looks Back - Andrew Bird  
So Lucky - Dana Buoy  
I Want You Back - Discovery  
Going Under - The Dodos  
Fiya Wata - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros  
You're Too Weird - Fruit Bats  
Noche Nada - The Givers  
Front Row - Metric  
No Starry World - Miike Snow  
Into Giants - Patrick Waston  
Share With Me the Sun - Portugal. The Man  
Heavy Metal Drummer - Wilco  
Kick Drum Heart - The Avett Brothers  
Losing Streak - The Eels  

So, what do you think?  Like?  Don't like?  Got something better?  Would love to hear your thoughts on these puppies.  Listen.  Share.  Discuss.  Repeat.

Definition of RUN

RUNNING....

Ever looked up the definition of RUN?  Until yesterday, I hadn't.  There are over 50 different definitions for RUN; used as a verb, adjective or noun.  Here are some of my favorites:

~ To move swiftly on foot so that both feet leave the ground during each stride.  This is the first definition. Makes the most sense.  And applies to all of us who run.

The "swift" runner, leaving the ground
with each stride.

~ To move at a fast gallop. Used of a horse.  This is how I like to picture myself in my mind....galloping toward the finish line.

"Oh, yea. I am strong and powerful,
galloping like nobody's business."

~ To move or go quickly; hurry  This one is just a given.  If you're running, you're likely moving quickly and typically in a hurry...if you're racing, you're in a hurry to finish and if you're late to pick up your kids, you're in a hurry because you're a bad mom. (cough, cough)

~ To move freely, on or as if on wheels  I love this one.  I have always felt that when I am running, I am free.  

~ To flow, especially in a steady stream  Flowing, well, it can be good and bad for us runners.  If you are flowing in the air, weightlessly and effortlessly, you're having a banner day.  If the sweat is flowing or your nose is flowing or even worse....I won't say it.  But, sometimes too much flowing is a bad thing.  All in all, though, it is all part of the running package.  We flow.

~ To travel over on foot at a pace faster than a walk  I like this one because when it comes down to it, if you're running, you're pushing yourself, even if it's just a little bit faster than a walk, to travel.  And wherever your final destination may be, you're gonna get their faster because of your desire to run.

Melting: before

Melting: after

~ To melt, fuse, or smelt  This one made me laugh to myself as I am often melting (as in, melting down) as I head toward the finish line or have successfully melted once I am through it.  If I have pushed hard, I tend to fuse into the ground and become one with the road.  Not sure about the smelt part.  But the other two make perfect sense.

I won't keep going, but I could.  So many ways to define the word RUN.  So many ways to see yourself as a runner.  And so many ways to interpret what you do.  You run, sure.  But, you're also flying, gliding, traveling, melting, and so on and so on.  Choose your own definition and run with it!

....AND MUSIC

Listen to these:

Take Your Time - Lydia  




&

Keep Moving - Boxer Rebellion  





...AND to my parents, who are in it for the long run...married 45 years today.  That's quite and impressive run.  Happy anniversary, mom and dad!