Against The Wind

The temperature this morning was 12 degrees. This is not uncommon in northern New England in January.  I bundled up and in spite of some flurries and a light snow cover the footing was pretty good, though it required paying close attention the road.  What was harder to navigate was the wind, gusting to 25 mph, making it feel like minus ten. That is cold!

Heading indoors for the treadmill was an option, but I find an increasing lack of interest for that mode. As I’ve slowed, maybe I’m looking for some inspiration, and being next to walkers or light joggers doesn’t provide that.  The indoor track is a viable alternative, but once or twice a week on its pancake, curving surface is enough. 

So, I ended up doing multiple .35 mile loops in the parking area around an office complex near my home. That meant running directly into the wind about one-third of the time. In that direction, the cold came through my tights, hat and gloves. After each turn, I recovered some before hitting the wind again.  As people came in to park their cars, most showed no reaction as they steered around me, but some looked miffed I was taking up part of the road, while others seemed bemused that someone would actually choose to be running in these conditions.   

I enjoy a variety of training conditions and routes but have always found wind a challenge.  It disrupts plans for a consistent pace. And unlike hills, it’s hard to anticipate.  Extended forecasts often prove unreliable and if planning for a long out-and-back run, it’s aggravating to wake up to find a strong wind blowing.  Additionally, as we age, just as with hills, we have to dig deeper to push against the wind.  A strong burst can literally leave us standing still! 

In a way, just continuing to run is going against the wind.  There are other ways to stay active and most seniors have settled into alternative activities. Those of us who find ourselves still running have to work harder to find training partners we can keep up with.  And it seems we are more prone to injuries, even with strength training and flexibility work.  Yet, I felt a sense of calm and accomplishment today, feeling motivated enough to open the door and go out into the elements. Not because I had anything to prove, even to myself.  Rather, it was a choice I was glad to be able to make.  

I still much prefer, clear, sunny, windless days.  But if it’s going to be windy, I’m apt to go up against it.