Why?

The 60-70 day point in many workout plans is where the visible improvements seem to taper, the body reaches a weariness in its soreness that seems like it can't get worse, and the mind starts questioning the point of it all.

I don't really view this as a "workout" plan, but rather a "life plan". Regardless, it's happened. The dead of winter doesn't help either, and this early February cold is a lot to fight with. Getting out of the house is tremendously difficult sometimes, particularly on those -8 degree mornings.

So I ask why. Interestingly, I usually ask before a run. Rarely during. Never after. Afterward I have my answer. Many times this cycle repeats. Many have tried to give a good response to the question over time, but ultimately I don't think there is an answer.

The question is "Why run?".

I believe when Kant determined that good of will is the only absolute and universal good, he didn't have running in mind. It's hard to bring to mind any part of running that is foul, mischevious, manipulating, bad of will. It doesn't bring harm to others, only happiness to the runner. It is an activity rich with innocence, yet simultaneously arduous and challenging.

Does running make one happy? Well, no, not really. Yes. Sometimes. This is where the question becomes difficult to answer. It doesn't always bring joy or happiness. Sometimes it's the most difficult thing one does all month, or all year, rich with pain, sweat, sometimes blood. Leg injury, dehydration, and other issues can result. But it feels good. That good feeling brings a general happiness to all aspects of the runner's life. It feels right. That pursuit of something that feels like doing the right thing encourages doing the right thing in other aspects of life.

Ultimately, it is subjective. People run for different things. Personally, the reasons I run fluctuate constantly, and interestingly enough each reason is a plenty good one. It's a way of life, not just one activity, and it changes the runner for the better.

Bringing this back around– each day I feel like I'm in a low point, when it's 0 degrees with 10mph winds and my shins are sore from the last two days, those are the days I read half a book on running, or watch a documentary. I remind myself why it is good by watching others in the moment of doing it. Observing that everlasting rhythm of feet hitting this planet, in constant and relentless pursuit of nothing but the push to make the mind and body do more than before. To be more than I am.

Onward and upward.

I've been running.

It was very hard to get myself off the couch which I had pathetically smashed my toes and face into and passed out on in a puddle of drool after getting back from class. Waking up an hour later feeling relatively dead with sore toes, I downed two pints of water, put some music on, and moved about as much as possible to psych myself up to the run.

It was my first 9+ mile run, I'm very pleased to see I'm getting better at listening to and controlling my body, this is the most consistent pace I think I've ever mustered. Slowly I'm getting there! It wasn't very long ago I was dragging myself out the door to run 1.5 miles in 30 degrees with full layers. Now I’ll go do 9 miles in 14 degrees with minimal layers. Anyone can do this. You can do this. I’m doing it in the middle of winter! Although admittedly, the unattractively ice-covered balaclava isn't particularly fun to breath through.

Today I ran up the Waterfront Recreational Trail past the stunningly beautiful and ice encrusted Lake Champlain. The trail was "redneck plowed". That's what I call only having truck tracks to run in. There was only one incident of an almost twisted ankle.The very new to me Asic Gel-Kayano 20's held good traction on the crunchy snow of the tire tracks that I was able to run in.

I then stopped at the Starr Farm Dog Park, trudged through the shin-deep snow and used the swingset for 30 seconds(so much fun to do during a run!), before continuing on down North Ave back into Downtown.

The concrete was a nice break from trying not to fall, but the pillowy texture of gel shoes on snow was lost. At the hour mark I had my first mid-run eating adventure, with a Justin's Honey & Peanut Butter Blend. I had to keep it stashed in my glove to prevent it from turning into an ice cube. These are 69 cents at my local co-op, and I'm drawing a blank as to why gel packs would make any difference right now for me, this gives everything I need right now in a much more whole food way. Even during the bicycle tour, honey and peanut butter were staple snacks. This pouch even has salt and oil. So yay. Food. Then I had to carry the empty plastic another mile before finding a trash receptacle on North Ave.

Almost home, the ubiquitous dog without a leash decided to bark aggressively and start chasing me. This kicked in an instinct I've had left over from the bike tour, when we'd fend off three dogs per day. Basically, keep running, but faster. A good way to live life too I suppose.