By Jerry Long, May 10, 2010
I’ve been a runner for a long time and never really considered any of it extreme. That is until I found some new running acquaintances.
I think bowhunters in general, regardless of gender, revel in pursuing their chosen recreation in a manner beyond the ordinary. Granted, males probably make a little too much of it all (as usual), but I still believe it to be a common attitude. While a gun season may last a week or slightly more, we’re dedicating months. We’re carrying treestands, blinds and who-knows-what who-knows-how-far. We take actual pleasure in walking farther, getting closer and sitting longer. Having belonged to five archery clubs in three states, I’ve known a lot of bowhunters. Besides popular names like Cameron Hanes and Dan Stanton I’ve not known a lot of them who run more than a very short distance (and that may typically involve a cooler).
After completing a half marathon, 13.1 miles, see Half Marathon Down, in 2009 I decided a marathon, 26.2 miles, was in order for 2010. The training plan actually started the last weekend of December which was the weekend before our archery deer closer; usually the coldest weekend hunt of all. Anticipating cold, nasty training weather for a May marathon I joined a close-to-home gym with plenty of treadmills. I put in a couple of runs there, but a 6-mile, 1-hour jog on a treadmill sucks in my opinion. Obviously, my true preference is the great outdoors. At that point I started talking to more experienced runners.
Running a half marathon in 2009.
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Bill said, “It won’t get too cold this winter to run outside. It was 16 degrees last Saturday. I had to run with my hand covering my water bottle’s lid to keep it from freezing. I took a wrong turn and ended up running in 12 inches of snow.” While I’m no stranger to running in a little snow and cold I decided it was time to “buck up” and change my attitude. So, I dressed warmly and did more miles. Rain, snow, wind, cold, no matter – out running. However, upon reaching the 15 mile point it was necessary to seek out the mental support of running partners since I’d complain to Mrs. dustyvarmint if I’d have to drive that distance for pizza on Friday night. So, I sought out the Kenosha (WI) Running Club.
Maggie doesn’t seem to mind the weather (or that I’m slow).
On my first run with KRC I met Kelly*. I don’t remember the temperature, but she’d already run quite a few miles and had frost covering her hat and the last 2-3 inches of her pony tail. Frost on your hat and hair? Are you serious? I thought I’d hunted in some cold weather relative to here in the Midwest, see A Clothing “System” For Cold Weather Bowhunting, but I’ve never seen anyone with frost on their hats or hair. She ran with us as a group. Then she ran some more afterwards… That’s extreme.
About that time former dogsledding companion Judy, see OIF/OEF Veterans Dogsled With Outward Bound, contacted me saying she was cruising toward Antarctica to participate in a half marathon, see Antarctica Marathon 2010. Just being ferried ashore and back aboard in little boats was extreme. Let alone running in calf high mud, rain, wind and bogs. On the return trip her ship experienced 40 degree rolls. In my 20 years of Naval service the largest rolls I ever experienced in the wintery North Atlantic was 35 degrees. That’s an extreme running adventure.
Then I ran 16 miles with Sally*. Sally had me up and running at 5:45 am on a Saturday (up at oh-dark-thirty on a Saturday with no hunting involved – huh??). On dark trails. I was prepared for trouble with a cell phone. She brought pepper spray (more to use on me than strangers). Then I ran 18 miles with Kelly again. She had me up and running at 5:30 am on a Saturday (again with no hunting involved). I say that’s extreme…
Just last weekend the forecast was for 18 mile-per-hour winds gusting up to 35 mph. It was wet and it was 36 degrees – miserable. I really wanted to get in thirteen miles, but would anyone show up for our group run? Could I lie in bed and not feel guilty? Of course I couldn’t and of course they showed – one of the largest outings I’ve attended yet.
There is one other extreme likeness between runners and bowhunters I want to mention, though. That’s excuses. Both groups have a litany of ‘em. Right now I’m trying to figure out how to use bowhunting excuses for running and vice-versa to change things up a little. You know, like, “I didn’t hit the 12-ring due to Joe’s snot rocket (a mucousy running hazard) hitting me in the eye.” Or, “I’ve got running (target) panic and I just rip off a couple extra strides out of no where. It’s killin’ my run times.”
However, now, as I drive about when the wind is howling (curses on that wind), the snow and rain are coming down and the temperatures are way low I pay attention. I see people out running. Not just performance athletes in the latest sporty attire, but everyday people like me. Toughing it up, training it out. Gettin’ it done for the next big run…and formulating excuses…
*Names changed to protect the extreme.
happy hunting, dv
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