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Questions on a cold run

Yesterday, I ran 18K in -10 “feels like” -21 weather. And, as my drink in my water bottle froze, I was forced to ask: "Why do I put myself through this?"

Day 12 of 130
Ks covered: 83
Ks to go: 1,019
General mood: Cryogenic
Running highlight: Still trying to come up with one…
Equipment status: Frozen
Body status: 3 cuts due to chafing, bellybutton on fire

Yesterday, I ran 18K in -10 “feels like” -21 weather. It was so cold, I was seriously concerned that if I farted my pants would shatter.

For the first time ever, my drink actually froze in my water bottle as I ran. Realizing this, I opened my jacket, which released a jet of steam from its polyester clutches…in retrospect, it was appropriate because I really did feel like a steaming pile of Becky.

Nevertheless, I pressed on, the intermittent snow driving wind-tunnel-style into my frame. (On the bright side, the resultant ergonomic data will come in useful for the production of the 2011 Model Rebecca 4-runner – My husband will love the bigger air-bags, slimmer profile…and the lower emissions – albeit he might miss the plush seating.)

Moreover, the run gave me almost two hours to really analyze ‘why do I do this’? And, in the end, I got to the cold, hard facts of it all: I do it because every time I look back on having done it, it surprises me.

Growing up, I was the family bookworm. My brothers were the athletes. Need an example? My 6’2 little brother ran his first marathon in Niagara Falls in 2002. He came 5th. Not 5th in his age group. Not 5th best looking (although my mum thinks he’s smokin’). Fifth, as in 2 hours and 38 minutes 5th. Think about that – it’s too fast to even need a toilet break. To me, these results were not just amazingly impressive, but amazingly intimidating. Back then, it didn’t occur to me that normal people ran these things too.

I can’t tell you why, but something shifted and I thought, why not? So I trained and ran my first marathon (in almost five hours). I did it thinking I would never do it again – bucket list item: complete.

But I was hooked.

And you know what? Running has also delivered me other major benefits, including:

— Visits to exotic sounding places like Mississauga and Hamilton.
— The chance to wear fluorescent clothing on a regular basis.
— Spandex.

And I may be frozen, but I’m fit. A while ago, I went to the doctor for a physical. Taking my blood pressure, she looked up and said “you must be an athlete.” My grin nearly split my face. Me, athletic? “Yes I am,” I said. “I’m a runner.”

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