First Reasonable Outdoor Run of 2009

"All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be that or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. And you will tell them yes."

~Nike

So maybe I splashed in a few slush puddles and carefully sidestepped over a couple slick spots, but I got to breathe in the fresh air and have the wind gently blowing in my face. I'm so rejuvenated that I can hardly type. Running outside proved just the fix for the Wednesday slumps. Now, my motivation is in high gear and I'm dying to head back under the sky, pound the pavement, and add a few more miles to the training log.

As of right now, 66 days and 11 hours remain until the half-marathon in Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure that it's time to kick this running program into full gear. I do love the gym and my nifty treadmill, but there's no substitution for being outside and enjoying a true, authentic, invigorating run.

So, as for the title of my post, "First Reasonable Outdoor Run of 2009," it's all about how the first outdoor run of the new year was a race Melissa and I ran in the middle of January--completely ridiculous and totally unreasonable.

Known as the "Fire and Ice 5K", it was much more ice than fire. Actually, as the race commenced the lovely Somerset temperature was -7 degrees. I'm sure you can sense the enthusiasm we felt as we prepared for our outdoor adventure. Thankfully, we did well and had some true fun. Yep, we're sick...

Therefore, today provided the reasonable temperature of 39.9 degrees- perfect pre-spring running weather. Call me crazy, but I had to take advantage of this rare February opportunity.

As I ran, I did more than my fair share of mind wondering. However, as I watched the sky turn from a baby blue to a tie-dyed menagerie of purple, pink, yellow, and orange, I dreamed of summer days filled with all things warm and lovely....

I enjoy the above picture because I took it on a warm summer evening. The neighborhood smelled of freshly cut grass and the remains of delicious cook-outs, the warm sun just began it's setting ritual, and young children were riding bikes, playing on swing-sets, or finding themselves fully immersed in a game of hide and seek.

Dear Summer,

I'm ready. Please come soon. I want to run outside.

Thank you,

Cathy

* As you can see, I'm finally allowing myself these pleasant thoughts. Summer. Running. Freshly cut grass.