I’ve got that January down-in-the-dumps feeling. Maybe it’s because the weather’s so awful. Or maybe it’s because I’m getting less daylight than a stunted dandelion. Or maybe it’s because my body is struggling to cope with the withdrawal of all the calorific foods I consumed through the festive period. Or maybe it’s because I had too many tequila mistakes on my too-short vacation. Maybe it’s because I have yet to start my New Year’s Resolution. Or maybe it’s because my house is stacked wall to wall with packing boxes. The list is endless.
The Monday of all Mondays has come and gone. Blue Monday. The day considered the most depressing day of the year. But I’m still depressed. To be honest, my vote is in to do away with the Blue Monday business and bring in Blue January...the most depressing month of the year. Because, let's face it, the majority of people are not blue for just one day at this time of year, they're like me and blue for the entire month.
Exercise is supposed to be a good way to boost your mood and help alleviate the “blues”. But just getting out the door for a much needed run is easier said than done when it’s cold, dark and dreary outside.
Feelings like this bring up the question “Am I a real runner?”
This morning I woke up at the crack of dawn to lace up my sneakers for my second run this week after returning home from vacation. Sipping a hot cup of coffee I checked the weather gauge and it showed a chilly -3.7 C. Oh good, I thought, I get to dress up like the Michelin Man.
Trying to whip up another ounce of motivation I peered out the window to get a handle on the rest of the weather. It was pitch black. I mean really pitch black. I couldn’t even see the lights of Vancouver. I thought to myself there must be a power outage or something over there. Then I realized we were completely socked in...and it was snowing. I checked the weather gauge again, the temperature had dropped to -4.7 C. And just as if I was watching a Much Music Pop Up Video a popular three-letter acronym popped to the forefront of my mind and I seriously considered going back to bed. Then something strange happened. A giddy child-like excitement took over. It was snowing...and I was going out to play in it. No wait, I was going out to run in it.
I dressed warmly and headed out into the whiteness. There was only a skiff of snow, but it was enough that it squeaked beneath my feet. At first the biting head wind hurt my face but once I was in the shelter of the trees, it was divine. It was deathly quiet, there were barely any cars on the road and no tracks in the snow before me. I chose a route that gave me an option of extending the run if I was so inclined. This particular run is a “first” for me. The “wet” coast doesn’t usually get a lot of snow in the winter, and the micro-climate of Caulfeild gets even less than the rest of the lower mainland. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to run in the snow, it’s just that there hasn’t been any since I began running.
I ran with a surprising amount of energy considering the weather conditions, my many layers of clothing, and the fact I hadn’t ran a decent distance in well over a week. I made my way to the point where I could extend the run or just head home and I decided to extend the run to 8 km. I love discovering new routes, and running in the snow was just that. I even felt strong while running up hill, likely due to my snowshoe kick-step technique which oddly distracted me from the fact I was running uphill. It was snowing, I was running and it totally felt good.
Back at my house I felt triumphant. The run had been epic. I felt like Jumpin’ Jack Flash and there was even a smile on my face.
Dear Running,
I am totally in to you and ready to take our relationship to the next level. You put a spring in my step and give my face a glow that no spa facial could ever give me. You’ve even chased those moody blues away, at least for today. Maybe we should make it Facebook official.
xoxo
Julie
I guess it’s official. I’m a real runner.
I hope the snow sticks around so I can do it all again tomorrow.
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