OK, I may want to retract that statement in a month or so.
It almost sounds like I’m daring Mother Nature and Old Man Winter to bring on
their worst.
But that’s not the
point.
Things just got real around here, as far as winter running
is concerned. I went and signed up for a winter race series. (It’s the same one
I did last year, but we had an exceptionally mild winter, so that was a lot of
fun.)
This particular winter race series has six events, and each
date offers a 5K and 10K option. Winter wuss that I am, I registered for the
5Ks because … well … who would want to spend any extra time in a wintry gale? Last
year, I averaged about 10 minutes per mile for this hilly, frosty set of races.
So that’s about a half an hour on-course. That’s enough for me, if blustery
winds and sideways-flying sloppy snow come around on race days.
 |
| (Yes, it was really COLD out there that day.) |
Why would I subject
myself to a winter race series?
It’s far too easy for me to shrug off daily (or nearly
daily) training between Thanksgiving and Easter. Sure, I can dash off to the
gym and pound out a few miles on the indoor track, the treadmill, or the
elliptical. But, if a winter race is on my calendar, with the date approaching
fast, I simply have to get out and stomp out some miles under the winter sky.
So I’m in.
And here’s a bonus, especially for a runner who loves her
race bling. This winter race series gives out age-group medals to 10th
place. In my age group, that means medaling is much more likely than in the
younger groups. Last year, I brought home a medal in every race. (Sure, some of
mine are for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
There are some real rockets in my bracket. So those are still rewarding.)
Bring on those winter
races. I’m ready to bundle up and take off. Who’s in?
Images:
Race photographer image.
Used by permission.
Title graphic generated by LAN/Runderdog
All rights reserved
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