Appreciating Winter Sun

A miricle happened yesterday. The Sun came out in Chicago and stayed out all day. Thirty five degrees never felt sooo good. The days are getting longer. After my afternoon run I went down to the basement to train on the bike. At five o'clock I could see the sunset out west. Just the opposite of my early morning east facing worn leather chair view.

Even though winter is not my favorite season, there are some things I like about it. I enjoy all the new TV shows that come on. I enjoy those snowfalls where there is no wind and the snow falls so slowly straight down. I enjoy when the ice melts on the roof and water trickle's down the gutter. Sort of peaceful. I enjoy when the snow melts and the grass is still green underneath. I enjoy how warm the Sun feels as winter is approaching spring. It is almost February and winter is running it's course.

I decided last year that I would embrace winter and make the most out of it. I feel like I am doing just that as I've been running a lot of miles outside. It is a different challenge. But, a challenge it is. We need challenge in our lives to build character and better self awareness. We can pretty much do what ever we want, within reason, if we truely want something. Like the Nike commercial says, "Just Do It."

Yesterday I went for a short 6.06 mile run outside in the sun and warmth. It felt so good to feel the sun on my face. In the beginning of the run I thought it would just be a slower recovery type effort. But, as I went along and the legs felt good I changed my mind. Instead, I decided to play a little game and make my goal to run each successive mile faster than the previous mile. So, this was a continuously faster run, (CFR). Split info is below.

After the run I headed to the basement and trained on the bike for 10 miles. My first, BRICK. It will take many, "bricks," to build this triathlon house.

Split Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Speed Max Speed Avg HR Max HR Steps Calories
1 0:09:24 1 36 49 9:24 8:13 131 168 0 73
2 0:08:45 1 92 49 8:45 6:51 124 131 0 88
3 0:08:35 1 33 39 8:35 7:39 126 142 0 76
4 0:08:09 1 30 89 8:09 7:01 135 149 0 73
5 0:07:51 1 23 33 7:51 6:55 137 144 0 82
6 0:07:11 1 23 16 7:11 6:27 146 157 0 82
7 0:00:35 0.06 3 0 9:03 6:50 153 157 0 7
Summary 0:50:32 6.06 236 279 8:19 6:27 132 168 0 481



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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."