A Run for Sherry Arnold

It was ridiculously cold outside yesterday. As in the high was in the 30's. I had such high hopes all week that since this was my 4-day weekend, it would be gorgeous weather and I would run every day.

Not even close.

So, I've been a wimp and hadn't gotten out there yet- until yesterday.

All around the country yesterday, runners were dedicating their runs to Sherry Arnold, a wife, mother, teacher and runner who went out for a run on the morning of January 7th and never returned. Her story has affected us all- she was just someone trying to get out and do something good for herself, (in a small town, only about a mile from her house) and became the victim of a random and senseless crime.

It was freezing cold- about 32* with a wind chill that made it feel more like 20-something. We didn't go far, but we made ourselves get out there for her.

Surprisingly, we passed 4 other runners in the neighborhood. I was shocked that so many people were out in that weather, but I like to think that they were out there for Sherry as well.

It makes me really angry that we can't even go out for a daily jog without having to worry about stuff like this happening. I've thought about it a lot lately, and I've decided to only thing I can do when I run by myself is make sure people know where I am, when I should be back, and run in the safest (and thankfully, most gorgeous) neighborhood around. I also never run in dawn/dusk/dark on my own. I'm not going to let the fear of idiot criminals take away one of the things in life that bring me so much joy.

I'm really glad Brandon went with me today. As much as I love to run on my own, having him there kept me going longer than I would have on my own (I might have gotten out of the car and then right back in if he hadn't been there).

I hope Sherry felt all of the footsteps taken in her memory today. May she rest in peace. 

Braving the Weather

Source: rwdaily.runnersworld.com via Runner's on Pinterest

Even when it's only 35* outside. 

Yes, that's right.... I ran yesterday when it was only 35*. I'm very proud of myself, since my normal "limit" is 40*. But the weather predicted it would be 40* by the time I had to be out the door, which was 8:00am, and there I was, dressed and ready to go. And it was only 35*. 

The main reason I'm so happy about this is it makes me totally hardcore  last year, I took a very long running break during winter, which caused me to lose a lot of the progress I had made. I promised myself I wouldn't let that happen again this year. 

So, I've been fanatically checking the weather, planning to go out when the weather is at it's "best" and so stinking grateful that this has been such a mild winter. Now, I'm crossing my fingers that February is equally as mild, and it's all downhill from there. I long for the warm weather, the sun, the sweat, even if it is 95* in a Memphis summer. Oooo, I also cannot wait for daylight savings time. I need more daylight in my running schedule life in general. 

So my point is, that I've kept my promise to myself.  I ran 15 times in January! It feels good to broaden my running-weather limits. With my work schedule, and the fact that I can't run by myself when it's dark (due to safety reasons), having less stringent weather conditions helps me get out there more often. Last week, I even ran in the rain. Ok, ok, it was only 1.5 miles, but I did it!

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Allie on Pinterest

P.S. Does it still make me just a little bit angry that this morning, when I can't run because I work the early shift, it was already 44* by 6am? 

A little. 

P.P.S.S. Am I totally jealous of SR since she lives in California and thinks 49* is too cold for running? 

Totally.