For those that follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed that lately I’ve been determined to run outside.  You see, when I first started running back in 2007 the only option I had was to run outside.  I didn’t own a treadmill nor did I have access to a gym, and I had also signed up for the 2008 Cleveland Half Marathon.  With that being said, I was out pounding pavement (more like snow) throughout that winter.  I didn’t care.  I just went out and did it.

For some reason, the following year I became a wuss.  It was then I had access to the full fitness center at our local school, where my husband worked.  I had never attempted treadmill running and I hated it.  The treadmills faced cinder block walls.  How boring!  As time went on I got used to it and I was thankful for the option.  Unfortunately I got into the rut of running inside at the drop of any precipitation, bad weather, or snow.  What had happened to me? On top of that, within that time I had several medical issues (kidney stone and endometriosis).  That called for me taking a hiatus from running races, but I never gave up running.  Without races my drive for running was pretty poor.  I still did, but didn’t have that zest I had in the past.

I feel I’ve almost come full circle this winter.  My health seems in check, I’m back racing, and my next half marathon is scheduled for April 2012, The Glass City Marathon. With that being said, I’m back out pounding snow.  Yes, I still have access to the gym and although there may come a time when I HAVE to use it, I’m going to try my best to avoid it.

Yesterday was such a day.  We’ve had quite a mild winter here in Ohio thus far.  Friday was our first true snowfall and yesterday I woke up to snowy conditions, 20 degrees (that according to Accuweather felt like 10 degrees), and 13 mph winds. I thought long and hard, “Gym? Swim? Indoor trainer? Run outside?” It came down to the realization that, as stated in a previous post, I will continue to cross-train, but I really need to focus on running with the half marathon coming.  And it’s now or never to bite the bullet and get outside.  Out I went.

Added another hat and I was ready to go!

I figured I’d take advantage of the moment and make it my run for Toni’s 34th Birthday and 1st Blogiversary 3.5 mile Virtual Run (check it out, there’s still time to participate….there’s no cost and you have a chance to win some goodies!!)  I won’t say it was the best run pace-wise.  Actually, my pace sucked (39:11.92 – 11:01 min/mile), but I was out there.  Unfortunately I have the choice of running unplowed side streets that call for me to high step or slippery plowed main streets that call for me to run in the street and deal with traffic.  I choose the latter. Either way, my pace suffers (not that I’m fast anyway) and I use muscles I don’t normally use. 

With all that being said, it felt good to be out.  There’s something about winter running that makes it so different than that of any other season.  There’s a peace and quiet, even if there is traffic, and once I get moving and warmed up, nothing can hold me back.  Running outside throughout this winter may be a challenge to keep up with, But there’s something I do know…I’ve done it before, I can do it again.

Here’s to many winter (and possibly snowy) miles in my future….

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Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)