Coffee is Spelled R-U-N-N-I-N-G

I bring Denise her hot beverage every morning while she's still in bed. On her non-running days, its tea. On days she runs, its coffee. I hold the Starbucks under her nose until she stirs and announce that its a balmy 44 F.

The day has begun.

By the time we got outdoors, it was 40 F and raining. Our run was one of those "break a mental barrier" moments. This was the coldest rainy run we have experienced. The net result was that we were wet and somewhat at the end, but satisfied with our performances. Staying warm was just a matter of adding an extra layer. The inactivity and physical convenience we presume in our lives are regal in historic context. An hour's physical activity in 40 F. rain is utterly unremarkable through 99% of human history. Yet our neighbors drove by and peered in astonishment; a neighbor on our cul-de-sac remarked on how he admired our dedication. In point of fact, our run was not remarkable at all; it just appeared so from the context of the hyper self-indulgent physical lives the middle class has come to presume is the norm.

Running in any weather Maryland can produce down suburban roads is an utterly unremarkable thing to do within both a global and a historical perspective. It just seems remarkable because we have devolved into a society of utterly indolent hedonists. Running in the rain is a simple, purifying act. It washes away the stigma of living in an overly indolent culture. Humans simply are not built to lead the lives we have come to think is normal. The real normal, the healthy normal, is an unremarkable 6 mile run in 40 degree rain.

GWB Marathon

Feeling the need to at least be ready for the GW Birthday Marathon on 2/20 in Beltsville, Md, so I did 21 miles on Sunday. I was beginning to think I'd slowed down dramatically this year based on the long runs I've done so far, but they were all in temps in around 20 F. Sunday's run was 35-ish and I think it was one of my best 21-mile training runs ever. My first 3-mile lap was the slowest; I had to force myself to slow down for the others.

Cold weather greatly increases my perceived effort, specially when the temperature drops below 25F.

Balance

In my gym this morning, I almost loaded up my barbell for deadlifts, but stopped myself. A few weeks ago, my right knee started a bit if ITBS soreness. I  decided that the cumulative stress of weights and running the distance I'm doing was too much for it, so I've dropped the weights while I go through this mileage ramp.

But I really wanted to do those deadlifts....