10 times runners knew autumn better than everyone else

Autumn is here! Here are the reasons why runners just get this season better than everyone else.

1) We dress in true appreciation of the weather.

While other people are thinking, “Sweaters! Jeans! Scarves!” us runners are thinking “ahh, the true season of shorts, when I can bare my legs and wear a long sleeve shirt”

2) We love the food the best.

Things that are orange, things that are grown locally, Halloween candy. Fall food rocks. Plus, running means we burn enough calories to not feel guilty about a Pumpkin Spice Latte or two.

3) It’s our season.

Between road racing and cross-country, runners own the fall.

4) We are on our leaf game.

One thing that almost everyone loves about autumn is the changing colours of the leaves. And while many people appreciate the beauty of this transition, runners are the ones who have been on that trail or path multiple times each week, from the end of summer to mid-fall. We are the ones who have truly seen that change.

5) We’re starting fresh (but not as fresh as some other people).

At “back-to-school” time, many people make goals and resolutions, similar to those of New Year’s.  For many people, these goals involve getting into shape, or vowing to workout more. Runners can rejoice in the changing of the season by celebrating their efforts of the summer and perhaps making little final tweaks going into the fall season.

6) Terry Fox.

Autumn is the season of the Terry Fox run. I don’t think you could find a person in Canada who doesn’t have enormous respect for this amazing Canadian hero. However, runners are in an even better position than average Canadians to empathize with how incredibly difficult Terry’s effort would have been for him.

7) We’re thankful.

Come Thanksgiving time, runners remember to be thankful for the ability to get outside, to enjoy the fresh air, for the community that running gives us and for the experiences it has allowed us to share with friends and family.

8) We appreciate air quality.

Runners know what the meaning of crisp air really is. And after a summer of humid haze, nothing feels better.

9) We reap the rewards of the summer’s work.

For many people, spring is the season they fret and toil, trying to tone for the summer bod. For runners, the summer is the season of work, that leads into the fall racing season. Autumn is the time for runners to experience the pleasure that is derived from their summer of dedication.

10) We get the geese.

When we see geese flying south, we can’t help but think they’re probably having a similar sort of experience as a group of friends out for a long run together. Someone in front sets the pace, the others tuck in behind and hang on. There are lots of laughs and no one gets left behind.