What the what?!

I like winter running. 

There. I said it. 

Who am I? Up until about 2 years ago, I would have told you just the opposite. You would not find me outside before March! The beginning of spring half marathon training was done on treadmills, save for those crazy few warm Indiana winter days that crop up every now and then. Why the change in heart, Megan? When I began training for the Carmel Marathon in January of 2015, it just became impractical to do longer runs on the treadmill. Anything more than 5 miles on the treadmill really makes me cringe, anyway. I found that as long as I layered appropriately, I found that outside running was actually pretty pleasant. One of the great things is the feeling of isolation, like it is just me and nature. There are still some crazy runners out braving the temperatures, but there is a peace in the stillness and companionless trail stretches. It also makes me feel a little hardcore. I love the thought of someone driving by while I am running bundled up in my layers thinking that I am a crazy runner. And let's not forget the scenery. As long as the trails are clear-ish ( ;) ), there is beauty in some powdery snow lining the sides of the trail and sticking to the trees. This brings me to my run today! It was a cold day (17 with wind chill) with a light dusting of snow falling. Nothing too slick as far as footing went. There is one part of  one of the trails I like to run in which there is a bridge over a creek. Trees line both sides and there are some stretches of field behind part of the trail. Today, I just took the time to stop on this bridge, let the snow fall around me, let the snow land on my hat and face, and take a few breaths of cold and refreshing air. I am generally just working on keeping up my miles in the winter (until half marathon training starts!), so there is no pressure on hitting any paces or getting through intervals. It reminds me why I enjoy running so much. I am just out there, legs moving, lungs breathing in cold air, and looking at the beauty around me. So, thank you winter running, for bringing me this joy. And making me look like a ninja/bank robber. A hardcore one. 

Hubby and I prepped for a particularly cold day of running - single digits with 0 degree windchill!

Running updates!

Hey everyone! No races in the last few weeks (or upcoming few weeks), but I have been trying to consistently run about 15-20 miles a week to stay in shape (along with soccer and walking on the treadmill). The running weather has been quite unique over the last few weeks. I have run in temperatures with the wind chill near 0 and have had temperatures all the way up to the 50 deg area. There have been some slick runs, rainy runs, windy runs, and everything in between. I know Indiana is full of weird weather, but this has been unusually weird for January! By the end of this week, they are looking at a 60 degree day! Mother Nature is intoxicated. Although I don't have a race lined up until next month, two of my co-workers and I are participating in the 2017 miles in 2017 challenge by Run the Edge. You can either run this amount solo or as part of a team up to 4 people. The 3 of us are chipping away at this total as we speak. You can run, walk, or hike your miles - just as long as you are on your feet! It's been pretty fun so far! I am mostly just getting miles in without worrying about my speed. My hamstrings and left foot have been feeling really good (hoping this does not jinx it)! I have a few more personal posts I am working on and hoping to get up in the next few weeks, as well. Now that the holiday madness is done, I am hoping to update here a little more frequently. Have a wonderful week everyone!

My Favorite Run

     I've been running for quite awhile. I have covered thousands of miles in all conditions. I've had more good runs than bad. I can think of one run in particular that stands out as my favorite (though I have many that are very close to that title, as well). It was Friday March 18th, 2011. I must have been out of school for spring break, because I was still in physical therapy school at that time. It was supposed to start raining that morning, so I wanted to just get started running early in order to avoid getting caught in any downpours. If you know me now, you know that I actually enjoy running in the rain. To me, it is refreshing. It also makes you look really hardcore :) At that time though, it meant something entirely different to me. I tried to avoid being caught in rain whenever possible after Shelly's accident. Shelly was (and still is) one of my best friends. Her life was cut short in a car accident on August 18th, 2010. She lost control of her car in the pouring rain while driving back to Johnson City, Tennessee. As it turns out, this run fell on the 7 month mark following her accident. At that point, something about the rain increased my anxiety. I had learned that rain had power over life and death. I just wanted to get out and run before it brought back any bad memories. I laced up my Gel Nimbus and headed out my parents' front door. I managed to get down the street (literally one minute into my run) when it started ... rain. And it was coming down at a good rate. I was only down the street, so I could have turned around and retreated to a dry home. I really needed to get my run in, though, and this presented a conundrum. I decided to get over it and the need to run won out. I pushed on. 
     It continued to rain heavily as I exited out of the neighborhood, seemingly increasing in volume as I put one foot in front of the other. I took the trails out toward Hummel Park. About one mile into the run, I actually found myself enjoying my rainy run. Even though the rain was making my clothes soggy and heavier feeling, I myself began to feel lighter. I used this time to talk to God, Shelly, or whoever would listen to me at that time. I missed my friend. A part of my heart felt less full without her around. With this run, it felt like something had returned to me. Maybe a little more peace of mind? Maybe it was determination to keep going, to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It was easy to feel sad after experiencing a deep loss. I had kept replaying in my mind how I possibly could have changed the outcome of that day back in August. Over and over. What if I had shot her a text that morning? Maybe just a few seconds would have made the difference, maybe I could have delayed her trip just for a short period. Maybe it would have been enough to keep her out of the path of that semi. It's easy to kick myself, thinking that I could have made the difference. I finally began to forgive myself, like the rain was washing the guilt away. There is a bridge that connects the front part of the park to a back area where the trails continue. Just past this bridge, there is an amphitheater where they put on concerts in the warmer months. I decided to run toward this amphitheater. I sat on the concrete ground where the performers would normally be staged. I looked out on the grassy expanse in front of me, watching the rain as it continued to fall from the sky. It was peaceful. Calming. Something struck me about just how green the grass was and how gray the sky had been. What an interesting contrast, perhaps symbolic of the fact that there is still beauty in a world with hardships. I was the only crazy person out there in the pouring rain. I sat there for a few minutes, the only company being the thoughts in my mind. It was then time to return home. The amphitheater had kept me dry for a few minutes, but I had to return home somehow :) The rain was still falling just as hard as it had been before my rest break. I ran back home. The run itself was about three and a half miles total. It wasn't fast or especially challenging. It was one of those that help your mind. It didn't change the past, though I wish more than anything that it could. It has been about six and a half years since Shelly passed away. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. I miss her selflessness and her willingness to participate in whatever crazy scheme we could think of. I miss her laugh and her company. I know that I am blessed to have called her a friend. So many are not that fortunate. 
     Running is still a way that I feel close to Shelly. It seems to be a good way to communicate with her, with God, and again, with anyone who will listen. Shelly loved fall and stepping on the crunchy leaves, even going out of her way to step on one. I find myself doing the same on those fall days, just to let her know I am thinking of her. I have had many great runs, each one different and challenging in its own way. It heals me and helps me through life's greatest challenges. For that, I am thankful for the ability to run.