July 7, 2016 THE HEAT IS ON

One of the great things about running is being outside. Living in New England, I get to watch the seasons change. Fall is a great time to run because the leaves are turning from green to reds, to oranges and finally browns. The weather gets cooler indicating the inevitable coming of winter which is a tougher time to run.  Even though winter running is difficult, it is well worth it.  I love running right after it snows, the air is cleaner and the world looks pure. It is absolutely beautiful--as long as the wind is calm. By March I have had enough  though  and   I  look forward to the crocus  and daffodils who brave the cold and I know that spring is right around the corner-also one of my favorite times to run. Summer is also a beautiful time of year to run until it gets humid. The past few days have been HAZY, HOT AND HUMID-the worst kind of running weather for me.  On my run today, as sweat poured down my face, I thought of this great book I read a few years back called To the Edge: A Man Death Valley and The Mystery of Endurance, by Kirk Johnson.

 It's the true story of journalist Kirk Johnson, a man who never ran a marathon in his life, who signs up to do the Badwater--a 135 mile ultra marathon that runs through California's Death Valley in the summer where temperatures reach 135 degrees. Johnson runs the race as a way to cope with the death of his brother. It is an interesting read, especially, given the fact that Johnson was not an athlete and set his mind to run one of the toughest races in the world. It is a testament to love, family, endurance and the human condition--it's really not about the run. If you are looking for inspiration, this is the book for you--at only about 300 pages--a mere 4 mile run--it will do wonders for your psyche. I guarantee it!