A Beginning

In getting started, I was wondering what to tackle first. I guess all good things have to start somewhere, so I will just ponder the things going on in life at this time. It's winter in Maine, which this year has meant mountains of snow (in the last storm we received 18 inches!) and frigid temperatures. Tomorrow's forecast is 20 below, but at least the sun will be shining.

One of the battles I have been fighting this winter is about running. I have been a runner on and off my entire life, and definitely notice a difference in my attitude and happiness level when I am running. It is a combination, I think, of the strenuous activity and the outdoor exposure. Due to the wintry conditions, I have been trying to keep up with some running but I have moved indoors to an elliptical trainer. I will say that it is better than nothing, but I know that the extra hours of TV while running do not have the same mental kick as the hours of fresh air and sunshine would.

Some runners can tolerate the cold and don't let the seasons dissuade them from hitting the road. I think I would be one of those too except schedule-wise it just isn't possible. With an 18-month-old and a full-time job, the daylight hours are busy busy busy! Especially seeing as dark falls at 4:30 p.m. I am extremely thankful that my daughter goes to bed by 7 so that I have a few hours to be in non-mommy mode.

I found out recently about a club that has just formed to do winter Saturday runs, and I am hoping to be able to try it out some Saturday soon. I would love to find people to run with, and a group that has a normal scheduled run might keep me more normal and scheduled. Beyond that, I am looking forward to the return of spring, milder temperatures, and longer days. Until then, thank goodness for the return of some decent TV shows =) I'll be getting "Lost" and trying to be a "Survivor" for the next couple of months, and perhaps studying my "Grey's Anatomy" while running. Hey, it's better than nothing, right?