Why I Love Winter Running

Because trying to stay upright and on the trail as the Santa Ana winds scream down those mountain canyons adds an extra bit of concentration and problem-solving to the outing, as does last week's running through mud pits and adjusting my stride and balance to accommodate the ever-burgeoning clods stuck to my shoes. And what did I spy with my wandering eye as I started my descent down Sully Ridge yesterday? Yeah, a nice field of white stuff blanketing the top of Mt. Baldy. Visions of 'shoe trips and finally learning randonee danced in my head all the way down. MUCH better than getting caught last week behind the helicopter landing to scoop up the guy who had stacked on his bike. Then as now, I wish him well.