R-R-R-U-N-N-N-I-N-G in the Winter

They call it the Freezer 5's: today was the 5K and in two weeks, we'll run 5 miles. They is the Taconic Road Runners, evil masochistic fiends that they are and 300 people chattered through their 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in frigid and snowy FDR Park in Yorktown, NY.

Not unlike many "polar bear" runs held throughout the northern climes, the Freezer 5's are a tradition in the Westchester County area, north of NYC. A great way to break out of the winter doldrums and start on that new health regime that I set for myself after looking at the post-holiday scale numbers. And with Daytona just weeks away, I need to get down to T-shirt weight...and quick.

And this was just Registration. Race time temp 23 degrees.

I run to transcend. It's just that simple. Sometimes it's to ward off the throes of impending mortality. Other times it's to shed pounds. But most of the time, especially if I am stuck, I can find a way out of the impasse while on a run. I have heard it before and I get it...it is a transcendant experience.

Webster:

1 a : exceeding usual limits : surpassing b : extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience c in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge
2 : being beyond comprehension
3 : transcending the universe or material existence

Many times, when I least expect it, I trip into another dimension. Usually that is after mile four/five...definitely by mile 8. I have had outer body scenes where I was watching myself run, almost guiding my body through the woods (the forest is the only place to run, really.) Often, on cloudy days, I see my shadow as I run past the threshold.

But today, was all about finishing, surviving, and participating. I've been alone alot, working on the book, the new song and plotting my tea-tour of the country, so agonizing with 300 others is just the remedy. Only by mile one, I was struggling to keep up with a Mom and her daughter. "Come on, Emily, you can do it," the Mom offered. Emiliy, it turned out, was not only in front of me, but also 14 years old. Now when you are running in a rhythm, there is no way you can just pull ahead. I'm no Eammon Coughlin but this shall not stand, man (re: The Dude.) I caught her at the finish line and almost elbowed my wasy across. I think it was a tie. Oh, well, we high-fived and I limped back to the car. 3.1 miles: 29:17. Hey, I broke 30 minutes and that was the goal.

But here's the big reveal today. No one's going to do it for me. I have to pick each foot up and run the race. I have to make this tour happen, one step at a time. Gotta get transcendant.

Next stop: Volusia Fair Grounds