To run or not to run, that is the question (with apologies to Will Shakespeare)

To run or not to run? It’s a question I’ve never had a hard time answering, at least for myself.

Now, I’m not talking about excuses like “I’m too tired”, “I don’t have the time”, “It’s too early”, “It’s too late”, etc. (I’m sure you’ve heard the old coaches remarks about excuses).

I’ll always choose to go for a run unless I’m too sick (got to be really sick) or injured (got to be really sore). (There’s probably a name for a medical condition explaining this).

I’ve run in the dark, in the rain, in the snow, when I’m tired, in the heat (90 deg and 90% humidity), in the cold (wind chill in the single digits) and everything in between. I’ve run on roads, trails, through the woods, indoor and outdoor tracks, concrete, pavement, wood chips, dirt, grass and stone and, as a result, over the years have taken all too many falls. And, aside from the falls, believe it or not, I have learned from experience that there are times not to run.

1. Check the weather before you leave.

I left the house one Saturday to do a long run around and through the university campus. It was a clear, warm, sunny late morning run, perfect weather. I had not paid any attention to the forecast for the day but as I was getting to the furthest point and planning to turn back it became at too clear that the weather was changing and not for the better. A black cloud quickly blew in, the wind picked up and then the rain started. While a little light rain is hardly a concern the next thing I know I’m in the middle of a downpour, it’s actually thundering and lightning and starts to hail! There was wooded area just off of the road that I ran into (yeah, I know, don’t run under trees for protection in a lightning storm but I figured the risk was better than getting beat up by the hail, it hurt!). I waited out the worst of it before running on home, soaking wet, chilled and a few welts from the hail. Never again. I don’t go for a run if a storm is forecast.

2. Don’t run the roads.

I used to run the roads. Not the major highways, but the back and side roads in and around our small neighborhood. As long as there was a wide enough berm so I could step off to the side I was OK with that. But, unfortunately, over the years, I’ve been forced to abandon that venue. I remember one run years ago, mid day run and a small truck with three males in it, age indeterminate, who, for reasons I will never understand, tried to run me off the road and decided to throw cans and bottles at me. Fortunately, I was able to get far enough off of the road and avoid the flying objects as they drove past. Surprisingly, this same truck turned around and came back in the opposite direction honking the horn, swearing at me and giving me the one finger salute! It appears that there is a sub species of homo sapiens I never knew about! Anyway, I don’t run on roads anymore.

Other runners may have good reasons for not running but these are mine. Whatever yours are, just be sure to recognize the difference between a reason and an excuse!