This marks the first year I have run outside through the winter. I thought I was going to hate it, but there are actually quite a few things I really like.
1. It's an excuse to buy lots of new gear. It is not just superfluous like most of my summer stuff -- it's necessary to stay warm.
2. Snow muffles my footsteps, which makes running quite peaceful.
3. Cold-weather running seems to have increased my metabolism. My theory is that this is because my body has to warm up all the cold air I breathe in.
4. There is increased satisfaction in running in the cold. It makes me feel hard core.
5. The best part is that I know that this year I will not have to fight through that initial spring return to running. The first runs of the season were always hard to get through. Now there will be no big climb back into fitness. Hurrah!
