The Incredible Adaptability of Humans

I'm currently on travel for work in Oslo, Norway--which presents a number of challenges for training in general, not the least of which is the cold weather.   Before going any further in this description, it's important to realize I am a cold-or-wet-weather-chickenshit-pansy when it comes to training.  Before my last couple of years of training, I would prefer to run 16 miles on the treadmill than risk getting a little wet from running in the rain.   Getting caught in the rain on a bike was simply unacceptable, so if there was any chance of precipitation during the few months of potential rain that there is in Los Angeles, I simply wouldn't get on my bike. 

My coach, Joanna, has slowly made some progress in helping me to let go of some of this wimpiness of mine, but I'm certain if she's reading this, she's thinking I've got so very far to go.   To be clear, I'm pretty certain my balls shrivel up into tic-tac size nubs and I transform into a sniveling little cry-baby whenever the temperature drops into the 50's or a light mist approaches my training venue.   Mom????  Got any hot chocolate?

So, I went running in the cold the other day in Oslo--it was just below freezing, which is unseasonably warm for the city for this time of year.   I was decked out in warm running tights, a long sleeve sleeve running overshirt, a hat, gloves, and some smartwool socks.   Other people were dressed in virtually identical clothing on the running trail--I nailed it!   Of course, my hands got a little cold and my lungs aren't used to breathing the cold air so it was a bit of a different experience, but I was very proud that I dressed as the locals do when they run in this type of weather.

But the thing I couldn't get past is that I saw a couple of people on bikes in this weather.   They were dressed warmly, but there were patches of snow, ice, and slush on the ground.   In my mind, this would make for an immediate free-pass from biking outside, and that's when it hit me.   People adapt to their surroundings in every way, in every efficiency possible.  It's cold, snowy, and dark here a substantial part of the year, and for people to not find a way to adapt to this would mean giving up what they enjoy doing.    This is their normal, while my normal is 72 degrees and sunny.   

For the record, I'll be glad to get back to California sometime in the next week--but in the meantime, I'll approach the cold weather with a little less disdain.