Dear Fall,
You know you’re my favorite season. I’ve told you before; I’ve told everyone before. With your beautiful colors, breathtaking sunsets, and perfect running temperatures, you won my heart over years ago. This year, you graced us with an extended stay. In fact, you stayed so long I thought maybe you’d never leave. I hoped, maybe just this once, we’d skip over winter. I’d be totally fine with just three seasons. Think of all the things we could accomplish if we had more time together.
Rumor has it, you’re leaving soon, maybe even tomorrow. You will be replaced by your dreadful old man, winter. Now, instead of dashing out the door in t-shirts and shorts, I will have to bundle up in layers and then pray I selected the correct clothing combination to keep me warm. Tights, shirts, a jacket. Will those be enough? I will need mittens, which make it hard to work my Garmin, or gloves, which don’t really keep my fingers warm. I will need a hat, and we both know I don’t look good in hats. Instead of taking in the views of the city, the river, and the people, I will have to pay close attention to my footing so I don’t slip on a patch of ice or lodge my foot in a pile of snow. Instead of that glorious post-run glow, I’ll have frost on my nose and eyelashes, and not in a fun, lyrical way. I’ll need long, hot showers to regain a steady, normal body temperature. Or, worse yet, I’ll be forced inside to log miles on the treadmill while watching reruns of “Grey’s Anatomy” or the news. Don’t get me wrong. I’ll suffer the challenges of winter for my running. I just want you to understand why you are so special to me. You make running so much easier, safer, and achievable. You take away the excuses for not getting outside.
I understand that you can’t stay. I understand it wouldn’t be right, even though welcomed. So, to mark the end of a great season together, I got out for a run today. A friend joined me so we could celebrate the occasion together. We spoke fondly of you. For possibly the last time this year, we enjoyed all the beauty that you have to offer.
So, I’d like to thank you for your extended visit. Thank you for giving me five extra weeks of my favorite time of the year. Even though it’ll be wrong to do so, I will likely still complain when you do leave. It’s a hard habit for me to break. But, I will remember that I should be grateful. And, to show my appreciation, I will try to embrace winter a little more this year. But don’t you worry. Your absence will make my heart grow fonder for you. You could never be replaced. Until next year…
With Love,
Tricia Hedin