Thursday, April 18, 2013

Surviving Spring

I don't like winter. So I stop running in the winter.

Well, it is before the winter. I stop running when it gets cold. I'm afraid I can't even work up the desire to walk over to the club house treadmill during the winter. I can wish I was made of sterner stuff. But I'm not. So there you go.

I eagerly await weather that includes getting into the 40s. In the past, that has meant March. This year it meant this week. So my period of semi-hibernation lasted longer this winter. And I feared the first run.

Mind you, at my age I don't just launch into what I was running by the time I halted last year. I ease into my running. Right now it is 1.2 miles in two legs. Give me a few weeks and I'll go to 1.5 in three legs. Then I'll go to 2. And eventually to 2.5. That is to keep me from having a heart attack. And after 2 days out, I think I'm good to go. No problems. But boy did I want to start a month ago.

On the bright side, unlike last winter, I held my weight static so at least don't have to run off egg nog and pumpkin rolls. I'm starting at even. Woo hoo!

Once at my target run, I'm just trying for speed increases. Three times a week with off days of walking only in between. That preserves my knees.

Now that decent weather is in sight, I get very conscientious about running and walking. I don't know what it is about winter, but I just can't run in it. Unless chased, of course. But that's a different motivation altogether.

Yep. This blogging stuff is fascinating for my readers, isn't it?