Breaking traditions

Finally back on track, finally running consistently, again I'm feeling like I'm a few more long runs away from thinking seriously about what the spring running season holds.

This year it looks like I'm due for a shakeup. I'm skipping two big races I rarely miss, the Harry's 8K and the Sporting Like 10K. Actually, I'm running the Sporting Life 10K, but not one run by the Canadian Running Series.

Things are different. I've signed up for a marathon, but I'm more excited to do the course than the time I'll do it in. I'm running the Around the Bay for the fifth time -- and looking at my previous times has me thinking about how fast I 'used' to be rather than how much faster I can go.

Running magazines are piling up unread, I haven't looked at a running schedule today (or yesterday) I'm not obsessing about pace or the type of run.

Weird, eh.

I was thinking the other day, while on my 14 miler, that it was the eighth winter in a row of training. As I turned a corner six miles in, a group of men came, pounding the pavement with purpose, the Boston jacket on one of them showing they were on the job. I saw not just the type of runner I can be, but one I used to be. I saw them, but didn't feel the need to give chase.

Clearly something has happened to my running life. Things are different, priorities have changed, but while some habits are being broken, I still feel the urge to run, I still make the time for myself on the roads, I still feel track the miles, click on the Garmin. And tonight, running on the barely lit waterfront trail, without music, just the light from the moon and the footfalls my soundtrack, I knew that the simple act of running is enough to keep me going.