It's almost here. Winter. When we hole up for the season. And do things inside.
With all this unseasonably warm Minnesota weather of late, it's nearly lulled me into believing it won't get cold and snowy. But it will. It's coming. It's just a matter of time.
With the temps dipping now into the 20s, my old friend the treadmill has rejoined my workout efforts. I'm not very outdoorsy in cooler temps. The last run I did outside, it was just around 30 and the skin of my belly, specifically the chubby parts, was red and chapped and numb. I'm sorry. I like to sweat, not to freeze my chub.
I look at my treadmill as an old friend, truly. When I'm down in the basement, there are several pluses:
1. Water bottle in the bottle holder as opposed to water bottles strapped to my waist.
2. iPod strapped to the treadmill arm as opposed to my arm where it tends to chafe.
3. No fear of strangers jumping out from behind bushes.
4. Climate control. 65 degrees for the entire run.
5. Kleenex everywhere. All the time.
6. Good tunes to keep my mind happy.
The way I look at it, I like to sweat. I like to move my body and feel alive. I like the clarity that settles over my brain after a 5 mile run, regardless of where it takes place.
I love that no matter how cold it is outside, I'm in compression shorts and a tank top.
Running in place.
With that, I have to share a song that always makes me smile when it comes on my shuffle mix. In fact, the songs on Owl City's Ocean Eyes are some of my all-time running faves. Mostly because of their light, airy, happy feel. It's hard to feel like you're slogging through a workout with that much light coming through your headphones.
But this one always feels right when winter is just around the corner. In fact, it's all about winter, and Adam Young should know, he lives just a hour south of me.

















