Out for an early morning run, well not too early as I've become built for comfort. Early was around 9:30 a.m. and it was beautiful. Winter running has to be embraced if you're going to fling yourself out in the cold with thin layers of lycra and polyester. Even those who evolved from hard core to comfort need a considerable amount of bracing and inner dialogue before venturing out.

Today was really cold but sharp and sunny and beautiful. The wind was forgiving this morning, it stayed at my back for a good part. Last night's dusting of snow didn't hide too many icy spots on the sidewalk and there was barely any cars which made running on the road a lot less perilous.

I ran a familiar route, so familiar in fact that it had become boring of late. What a pompous ass I am to make that statement! I find it boring to run along the ocean, past and through beautiful parks in a beautiful city on Boston's North Shore? I realized that as I set out in a slow shuffle and ran along in a different mind set--not about runnging but about where I was and how running was getting me around there.

I ran for over an hour, a run that I never would have set out upon if I made the time or distance my goal. It was beautiful and I loved every step. No watch, no monitor, just enjoying winter outside.