like running in the sand. but colder.

You know all those photos of celebrities running in the sand looking all fit and whatnot? What would be a REAL workout would be if they took their svelte selves to run IN THE SNOW. Because it’s basically the same thing. Soft sand, soft snow, not as easy to run on/in as pavement. Just, you know, snow is colder. And obviously more hardcore. Basically, celebrities are sissies.

I did a stupid–but necessary–thing yesterday. I told Kami that I was going to sign up for a half-marathon. (This one, in September.) Because giving Kami that type of information means that she’ll hold me to it. Which is why I told her, because now I have to do it. And I know I can.

The thing is, I am really good at giving up goals. I let little things get me down, and I use them as excuses to give up. I did it last year, and I’m finding myself doing it again this year. But here’s the thing. Nobody ever said running was easy. (If they did, they were LYING.)

Russ spoke Sunday morning from Hebrews 12:1-3. He said that, in that passage, the word “race” translates from the Greek word “agon”, which is where we get the word “agony” from. IT MAKES TOTAL SENSE. Running is agony. I mean, not always, but lots of times it isn’t fun, even though I quite like it most of the time. Okay, I mostly like the feeling I get after a run. Although I also like the adrenaline I get during (and after) races, but at the same time, they are agony.

But this: “I like being one of ‘those crazy people’ drivers see running in the winter.” (source) It’s fun being crazy. (I KNOW. I HAVE LOTS OF EXPERIENCE.)

As my friend Jen kindly pointed out (GOOBER), even though the calendar says it’s 37 days till spring, reality says otherwise. But that’s ok. When the calendar turns to March 20th, I have HOPE. I have hope that, by the time spring is over, there will no longer be snow on the ground. My rule is that it is not allowed to snow after my birthday, which is mid-May. It’s usually a fair and accurate assumption that it will not snow after that date. And, on the rare occasion that it does, it melts right away.

I’ve been tempted to get a gym pass so I can run indoors, or to run laps in the gym at the church, but here’s the thing: I like running outside. Treadmills make me feel like a hamster. Running in circles makes me feel dizzy. Running outside makes me feel alive. Except when I can’t breathe, which, you know, makes me feel like I’m going to die.

I took mamalang’s advice and have been using my inhaler 20 minutes before my runs and it’s made a big difference. (Thanks, lady!) Also, I read somewhere that if you breathe in through your nose rather than your mouth, the air is warmer when it reaches your lungs. (Oh, here! Thanks, Becca!) It’s the little things that make winter running that much easier.

Ten weeks till (the first) race day. I have 18 (CONSECUTIVE) days plus three days of single-parenting and a trip to BC before then. So, crazy. Yes.