Hello Winter part one

It finally happened. After a very mild start to the winter, we finally were hit. Now I know winter has not yet officially begun, however, my calender flips over once we have finally had some real cold weather. This was the first trail run I went on the was better served with crampons and ice skates. This usually means my real runs and bike rides are now isolated to the flats; endless loops around the Boulder Reservoir or Eagle Trail, rides out to see the Interstate, or even worse the treadmill and trainer. I begin asking myself why do we subject ourselves to this every year. Is there a benefit to going through these tough winters? While I was slip sliding away this morning, the answer came to me. We go through the tough times to make us stronger. When the going is tough we are forced to dig deep inside and push through. I thought back to my best season as a triathlete, 2004. I had just come off of Ironman Wisconsin, in September 2003 with a good result but not great. I had always been a good swimmer and cyclist, but my running had a lot of holes in it. If I wanted to see my potential as a triathlete I had to become a better runner. In order to become a better runner for the 2004 season I had to begin now, in late 2003 and train through the winter.

The first step was commitment to the end goal, qualify for Ironman World Championships in 2004, about a year out. Second was to run through the winter. I was determined to become a runner. This takes time, lots of miles, and lots of determination. Through that winter I did become a much better marathon runner. In fact, I did several marathons late that winter and spring, including the Boston Marathon (which by the way is an incredible event). The training was extremely tough. Winter brings with it short days, bitter cold mornings, and unstable weather. Dedication kept me going, nothing was going to stop me from becoming a runner. The body is amazing what it can become. The mind is even more amazing in what it can make the human machine become. I attribute part of my success during the warm summer season to the determination to train and stay motivated through the winter months. You must to have a goal, a commitment to that goal, and that determination must be tested for a real sense of accomplishment.

So as I was out running this morning, asking myself why am I doing this, I realized I am out here because I need to be tough. I don't have a goal to stay motivated yet. I talk about Xterra next season but I have not committed to it yet. Without commitment, a goal is not real it is only a dream.

Honestly, I do have to admit that winter training is not always that bad. Some of my best most memorable runs have been on the snow, in cold temperatures. The solitude and beauty of running through the forest in a fresh blanket of snow is something special.