We Do What We Have to Do

When the weather is as cold as it has been, and there is still snow on the ground, we do what we have to do.  We use a treadmill or elliptical.  And for those of us who have yet to find a treadmill that will accommodate us, we run back and forth and round and round.  Desperate for exercise, I went down to the small exercise room here at the condos on Monday, and while Martha used the treadmill, I ran up and down the short interior hallway just outside, back and forth, a hundred times, which I estimated to be about a mile.  It was not the most enjoyable workout but it was running.

By Wednesday, conditions had improved sufficiently outside that I was able to do the same thing under the covered parking area.  It was nearly as tedious as hall-running, but at least I was outside in the cold, fresh air, recording my progress on my Garmin (which had not worked in the hallway).  

Today – finally! – the sun was bright, and the snow had melted enough that we were both able to get outside in the bright sunshine.  Martha walked about four miles, and I ran two, round and round in the parking lot, then out on the road into the adjoining subdivision.  It felt wonderful. 

I cannot imagine spending a winter in northern climates where indoor tracks and treadmills are the only option for a runner.  I suppose they adapt, wearing cleats on their shoes (something that I actually tried several years ago in the winter without much success) and bundling up against frostbite.  And I remember that one young woman from Alaska even qualified for the marathon Olympic Trials one year by training entirely on a treadmill.  But for me it is so much better to be out of doors, on roads and sidewalks, even when the temperatures are cold. 

Next week, the weather is predicted to change back into more seasonable temperatures, and we are both looking forward to that.  We might even be able to run on the beach, something I have not done for two weeks.  Meanwhile, we do what we have to do.