Tales From the Perimeter: Tool of Lucifer

Perimeter meaning the 6 mile patrol road inside the fence of the military installation on which I work, where some half a dozen of us comprise a pool of running “talent” and strive to show up for a noontime run a couple times a week if we can escape our desks. We share a lot and these guys are one of the core pillars of my sanity.

With promised 70 degree weather here today in PA, cold weather seems a thing of the past.  Yet we still have a month or so of susceptibility to a BIG snowfall, to say nothing of cold temps and wide. In fact, I am predicting we'll have one snowfall of 12" or more before this winter says adios.

Anyway, reminds me of a conversation we had on the perimeter a couple weeks ago when it was in the low 20s and the wind was a-howling.  Our group was (were?) the only runners out that day, as it was pretty miserable.  However, since the base is basically a circle, you only have to brave the worst wind for maybe 2 miles before you turn and get a respite. 

One of the irregular guys (retired, so he only joins us sporadically) later emailed to mention a trip to the gym to work out.

Love these cold temps and wind....Gary, as we discussed years back, love the adverse conditions....when I appear at the gym and watch the treadmill runners.....I put my miles (slow) outside.

He nailed it.  At the risk of offending some folks, for me, treadmills are tools of Lucifer.  There's no such thing as bad weather, just weather for which you are unprepared.  There's always another layer....