Had a great run this afternoon and it gave me a jolt thinking about all the things that running has done for me. I started again in the 90s largely because my doctor and my genes didn't give me a lot of choice. But it has become a habit, some say an addiction, but certainly something that I love doing and missed greatly when I am unable to run. It is often a real struggle to get into my running gear, especially at this time of the year and head out, and the first mile is generally miserable but after that they mostly get better and better as I run. I have run in all kinds of places in all kinds of weather, from +110F in a California summer to - 38F here in Saskatchewan winters. Both extremes are miserable and dangerous without proper precautions. And both can be very rewarding. I love my early morning winter runs (if the wind isn't blowing) under a clear sky with the stars so bright, and sometimes shooting stars or Auroras; a treasure more than worth the pain involved.

I am certainly not a great runner, more a plodder than anything else, I have done 10 marathons in 6 years, 2 ultras and several dozen 5 and 10 km races. I've usually gotten a great view of these races from the back, and have never won or even come within shouting distance. But I have won my age group once and been second once; both were a great feeling and I am proud of them. I don;t run near as many races as I used to because it is so hard to get to them here; the nearest ones are generally 2 hours drive away at a minimum. Still.......... All of my training is done alone and so races are my only chance to see other runners and do a bit of socializing. They are very motivational in that way even if I am tailed off somewhere near the back. I'm still having fun!

Here are 2 contrasting pictures, one from my first marathon and one from today's run.