Winter Running: Worth It?

First of all, hooray for 500 page views and for a snazzy logo on its way. Blogging is fun!

I'm gonna go ahead and put this out there: I do not liking running in the snow. I did it this morning and kept waiting to fall into a peaceful rhythm or at least come to terms with it and enjoy the workout, but it didn't happen. My feet were wet, my eyelashes had tiny clumps of ice in them, and my arms were really cold. However, as I commented to my running companions that it was almost like running on sand (uneven, throws you a little off balance), I was reminded of the fact that warmer weather will someday come back and the running in the snow will have been worth it. Because while other people will be starting to run fresh, not having touched their trainers since the fall, those of us who have braved the cold and kept up our base level of fitness up will be running past them! At least that's what I'm telling myself...

There was one other thing that reminded me that it will be warm again someday: last weekend I visited Washington D.C. and went both biking and running along the fabulous paths that they have there. It was great to see so many people out and about being active, and I even got to put sunscreen on! In February! It was definitely bittersweet washing off that summer-smell at the end of the day and then bundling up the next day as winter weather returned with 50 mph winds.

So yes, it will be warm again someday and while it can be hard to stay active when it's rather dreary outside, just keep telling yourself: it'll be worth it when it's warm out, it'll be worth it when it's warm out.

And then when you get back home from that chilly workout, after you've taken a long hot shower, make some delicious nutritious food, like this awesome Quinoa, White Bean and Kale Stew that my friend Angie recommended to me. I made it yesterday and it is ridiculously good.