Weathering the Elements

Those who know me know that I love to run outside despite all but the most extreme elements (snow drifts, hurricanes, lightning). One reason is that I love to run out in the freedom that the outdoors provide, with fresh air, freedom of movement, glorious vistas, and even the occasional run in with a driver clearly not sensitive to the needs of a runner.

Another reason is that I hate the treadmill. With a passion. It's too warm. There's no breeze. And even with a big sporting event on TV or great music, a treadmill creates such an awfully boring experience for me that I can't get into my flowing zone. So it was with dismay today that - as my wife far more quickly realized that our running would be impaired by the inch or two of snow that was falling - I had to give up my long run (at least for today) and try and bring myself onto the treadmill for however many miles I could muster.

It took three hours of sitting on the couch watching TV, choosing to work on the weekend, or even walk around the house in a stupor explaing to my wife over and over again that I didn't know what to do. I did know. But I didn't want to face it.

So, at around 5pm I gave in, got in my gear, and mounted the misery machine. I got in around 3 miles, adjusting of course for the clearly miscalibrated machine that tells you that you're speed is around 6mph when you know you're doing probably almost 7mph.

I hate that machine. I really do.