I do understand the idea of running season. That for five
months of cold weather a person who considers herself fit turns away from
lacing up her Nikes and instead goes to the pool and does laps, or takes a
class. Zumba.
What’s at issue is the underlying premise. That running as a
pursuit, as a pleasure, isn’t what we are talking about. Rather the premise is
that it’s a necessary evil. As in, what’s necessary to reduce weight, or to
keep weight off, to forestall memory loss, to keep looking young.
For me, though, running isn’t confined to a season. Thus the
title, Running for Your Life. And not only due to my condition that I’ve
written about here: My deep vein thrombosis.
Last Sunday (April 12) at 8:30 a.m. I had the simplest of
accidents. I tripped over my dog, and with my hands full, stumbled forward, and
landed with considerable force on my chin. One of the funniest words in the
English language: Faceplant. A nasty gash opened, requiring five stitches to
close. Because I am a “bleeder,” due to taking blood thinners, a doctor watched
me carefully for any signs that I was having head trauma, as in intracranial hemorrhaging.
Thankfully, I wasn’t. Part of my reasoning? Because I'm careful with my medication. And I run. I
keep myself in shape. All seasons. (I don’t swim and find running is the lone
pursuit that works for me.) It keeps the swelling of a damaged DVT leg in
check. So I run. Not just in running season. But every other day for as long as
I can.
Next: Running for Your Life: “It Follows”
