January Goes Out Like a Lion

1/31/12     The last time Paul and I sprinted up Ferguson, Mountain, Ludlow and Dale streets off East Middle Turnpike; it was our first hills workout of 2012 on January 3. And it was FREEZING outside, in the single digits with strong winds making it seem even colder out. The last day in January found the weather to be the complete opposite. We were both wearing shorts and Paul was even running without any gloves. Temps close to 40 degrees that late at night, this time of the year are ridiculous.
     We were able to take the hills much faster and more consistently than the first time out and a series of hills that get steeper and steeper as the miles move on that I usually dread were enjoyable this time around. We only talked about how freezing it was the last time we did the five 200 meter hill repeats once, and instead lived in the moment of running a difficult workout in amazing and unseasonably warm weather. I already feel like the winter of 2011/2012 has spoiled us to the point that the next run in single digits will have me wearing three pairs of gloves.
     So, thank you January for the unbelievable running weather, and if you could please speak to February for us runners, make sure she’s as kind to us for the next 29 days.