Change Is Good.

So they say.  For those of you in and around Boston, you know that all of this snow has forced many temporary changes upon us like constant shoveling.  Very looooooong commutes (longer than normal anyway). More shoveling. Running indoors instead of outdoors.  I've been reminded through this all though that change can be a good thing even if just temporary.

The culmination of record breaking amounts of snow ended up canceling our 12 mile team long run last Saturday.  When I heard the news I was a bit disappointed as I look forward to running out on the course with my fellow team mates. It's a bright spot at the end of a long tunnel.  I understand and respect the decision of the coaches to cancel in the end as they are looking out for our safety and I appreciate that. It's helped me reaffirm that it is OK to have to make changes to the daily training plan and not feel guilty about it. I don't have to feel like I'm doing something wrong by not being rigid and following it to the T.  How did I change in light of the canceled team run?  I decided to go to my gym's new location that just recently opened a few towns away.  Yes, it was farther away than my home gym but I figured that change is good. If I'm going to the gym for 2 hours I might as well have a change of scenery. I'm glad that I did try the new location because I went into it with a much more positive attitude than if I had gone and done the same old thing at my regular gym. It paid off because I had a great workout and the time flew by. Well, it went as quickly as it could for running on a treadmill. 

The huge amounts of snow that has fallen over the past several weeks have provided for great cross training opportunities.  There have been several times now when I've had to change my training and instead of running I've had to spend the time shoveling, shoveling, roof raking (yes there is such a thing!), shoveling some more and then shoveling the roof. I didn't feel bad when I had to shovel instead of running because it is such a great aerobic activity.  You can burn around 300 calories every 45 minutes of shoveling. Who knew?  Since I averaged 2 hours of active shoveling each time, I made out pretty well. I definitely ended up using different muscles than I normally would have in running or other cross training. Change is good. 

Snowmageddon has certainly had a huge impact on commuting into and out of the city.  Late trains, cancelled trains, taking busses instead of trains. Trying to strategize how you are going to get where you need to when public transit throws daily obstacles in your way. It's all good in the end. Yes, it forces you out of the mundane daily rituals that come with commuting, out of a nice warm fuzzy happy place and into changed situations that you may not be comfortable with but that makes you that much better in the end. 

What does this all have to do with running?  I really don't know. Just kidding. It has taught me to change things up and to not stick with the same old regime. Find a new route to train on. Go to a different gym location to change things up. Don't be so anal when it comes to my training schedule and change. If I miss a day or have to move things around, it really is going to be OK at the end of the day. 

Tomorrow's 17 mile team long run has been cancelled due to continued unsafe conditions on the course. It's too bad because this was a special run where patients and their families were going to man the water stops.  17 miles on a treadmill?  That just isn't going to happen.  I guess I'm going into the city tomorrow to run before the next storm hits later in the day.  Oh, that's right, no commuter rail service tomorrow due to the MBTA trying to finish up the snow cleanup.  I guess I'll have to drive in.  Change is good Keith.  Change is good.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!