Change of Seasons

Mid-March always holds promise for warmer and longer days.  In Vermont, temps still drop below freezing many nights, so snow and ice can be in the offing.  Nevertheless, roads and trails are opening up and there is increasing predictability for outdoor runs.  Treadmills have their place, as does the indoor track. But these are substitutes for the “real thing.”  And for us senior runners, slipping and sliding and breaking something from a fall is something we ardently avoid.

This is also the time we plan or refine our racing schedule and start building up the long runs (my March 4th post is on this topic.)  There is nothing like being ready to race and mix it up with those we’ve been competing with and against for many years.  For us Vermonters, most of those races require travel.  So, it’s an excursion that requires some planning.  I find it exciting, and I doubt I’m an exception, to picture lining up at a favorite race and taking off as the horn sounds.  It’s rather amazing that we can clearly recollect the various stages of races, not only in the prior year but also years past.  This happens by being totally present.  Some may find disassociating themselves from the required effort works for them.  For me, I’m immersed from start to finish.  Some of those moments I remember are enjoyable, some not.  But I’m doing something I love! 

So, here we are in mid-March.  There’s a month or so of uncertain weather.  Maple sugarers hope for a few more sub-freezing nights and skiers yearn for a couple spring storms.  But we are on the cusp of being able to rise, put on increasingly fewer layers, and head out to put in some miles.  The number of others doing the same thing grows and from a practical standpoint port-o-lets begin sprouting up in the parks and on construction sites.  We can relish the thought that we have made it through winter and can look forward to the next eight months of being outside unimpeded.  This is exhilarating!  Not only for us runners, but cyclists and hikers too.  Few whose exercise takes them primarily into the gym year around truly know that feeling.

I live in New England in large part because of the change of seasons.  Life is an evolving cycle and the natural world here reflects that.  Some Vermonters escape the winter by going to Florida or Arizona.  I too, enjoy a break from the extreme cold. But two to three weeks away seems to satisfy that need.

I’m looking forward to these upcoming months!  What will they bring?  Only time will tell.  That is part of the mystery and I’m grateful to be participating!