Followers of this blog know that I have been running for close to seven years as of this writing. Between the exciting races, intriguing courses, the training analytics, the streaks, and all the cool gear and swag, there is always something to occupy the mind and aspire. However, I have had one yearly reoccurring "dream" that has always fascinated me: to take a run on Christmas morning.
I admit that I have had a lot of trouble writing this entry. I would write a list as to why running on Christmas Morning has such a high priority on my list of running fantasies. The list was not overly long and somewhat predictable. Going out on an unsurprising cold morning when the traffic, both vehicle and pedestrian, is light is undoubtedly appealing. Enjoying looking at the statistics and logistics of a run with the date of December 25th set in the beginning would also have a certain intrigue. But the fact of the matter is that one could achieve these items on a day other than Christmas. Time for a deeper dive.
The Christmas season for a UPS employee is, at best, hectic, and at worse, a nightmare. Not only are you putting in thirteen-hour days and sixty-five hour weeks, but the hours are packed with endless delivering and organizing. A single hour can turn into what seems like a full day. Fatigue is almost a constant state. But it doesn't seem to end on Christmas Eve. Like many other families, we have traditions and routines that we follow on both the 24th and the 25th. There will be no resting until December 26th.
A Christmas morning run, I feel, would signify a sort of victory. I plan to retire in August, so the success would no longer have anything to do with work. However, the memories of the rigors of working during the peak, tight schedule of the holiday might represent the freedom of time that retirement offers. Who knows, maybe it will even snow.
I am sure that there are other reasons. I have about 345 days to think about it. Let's see what happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment