It was 19 degrees when I went for my morning run, Modern Philosophers.
Under my running toga, I wear a hooded sweatshirt over a long sleeve shirt and a running shirt, but once my blood gets pumping, I don’t really worry about the temperature.
So began week two of my latest attempt to get back into shape. As I started up the hill a quarter of a mile into my run, I thought about how I’d eaten better during week one, had run twice, shoveled snow three times, and lifted weights four times.
Before I knew it, I was already a mile into a planned three miler. I’m not a fan of running, but when I get lost in my thoughts and the music is blasting, it isn’t so bad.
I remembered to bring my MP3 player home from work, so I had Foo Fighters, U2, Live, and Guns ‘n’ Roses to keep me company on this mad dash around Brewer.
The shoulder was very icy and snowy, so I ran out in the road as much as I could, and then made a beeline for the shoulder when a car approached. The cold air in my lungs made me feel alive, and I picked up my pace when a runner passed me going in the opposite direction. Seeing someone else out in the cold inspired me.
On the way back to The House on the Hill, I thought about how the temperature was only 19 degrees and that led to Deep Thoughts about what I was doing when I was 19. I would’ve been a sophomore at NYU, had just met the girl who would grow up to be my ex-wife, and since it was a Saturday, I would’ve been busing tables at Griswold’s Pub to help pay my tuition.
I probably didn’t look as dorky as I do in the photo at the left (I think I was 16 when that was taken), but I was still skinny and geeky. I never would’ve been out for a run in the snow, but at least I still had cool taste in music and penguins.
I got so caught up in those “Austin as a 19 year old” thoughts, that I was back at The House on the Hill before I knew it. My runner’s high was so powerful that I went inside and grabbed the ice chopper. I smashed all the icicles off the front off the house, and then climbed onto the giant ice pile in the back of the house and chopped away at the ice on the back roof. That roof had leaked last month, and I didn’t want it to happen again.
When I was done, my arms were sore, but I felt amazing. What a crazy workout!
After my shower, I got on the scale and nervously did my weekly weigh in. I’d lost 2lbs this week! Needless to say, I was in an excellent mood. I don’t mind exercising and eating better when I see the results. A two pound weight loss definitely qualifies as such.
I decided to reward myself with a homemade ham, cheese, and egg sandwich for breakfast. Doesn’t that look yummo, Modern Philosophers?
Week one of the weight loss/getting back into shape plan has been a success. I am looking forward to continuing it this week.
Are you doing anything healthy today?
The Return of the Modern Philosopher 
Yes, Austin, your ham-and-egger looks yummy. Good job on the two-pound loss for the week. I did not complete a 3-miler, but I already accomplished a half-hour of Ellie B, aka Dogamous Pyle, pulling me around the neighborhood at a fast walk because she gets cold when it’s in the teens, too. FYI, I had a similar Springsteen T back in the day, but no penguin.
Thanks, Mark. My brother got me the tee shirt when he saw Bruce in concert. I was lucky enough to catch The Boos in concert when I was at NYU. He rocked so hard! You never had a stuffed Opus? I’m sorry to hear that! 🙂
Springsteen still rocks that hard. Amazing, in his 60s and giving every bit of heart and soul on the stage. Going to a Bruce show is bowing at the altar of rock ‘n’ roll.
Amen!
I ran every day during my lunch hour, without exception, for ten years. One day when it was -20F, a car pulled alongside and the driver rolled down his window just enough to speak. He was a reporter for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune who was writing a story on idiots who ran in the cold. A few days later, his story was printed. He talked to a half dozen runners… and I knew every one of them.
By the way, for those of you who have not had the pleasure of running when it is well below zero fahrenheit. The big problem is keeping cool, not warm. If you over-heat, you will sweat and you don’t want to do that.
You’re a running celebrity…
Gosh, you think I could leverage that into unruly behavior? I’ve always wanted to trash a motel room but my wife never lets me.
Maybe if it’s a really cheap motel and you leave a fake name when you check in…
well, more shoveling. and congrats on leaving the 2 in the dust )
🙂
I ran today too – but felt a kazillion years old – too cold for me! Lungs and toes froze but alas, tomorrow is another day!
And I will channel your teenage spriteness when the hills are challenging me!!!
I’m glad my words could help. 🙂
Let me see…my biggest effort today on the losing weight end was deciding to NOT have a second chocolate chip cookie. Oh, and I found your 2 pounds. You can have them back if you miss them!
Keep them. My gift to you. 🙂
soul health: going to a friend’s 60th birthday party & hanging out with the kitties.
Opus is the best.
Opus does rock. Enjoy your Sunday!