a fair weather fan

I am tired of this cold and gloom. Having lived in San Diego for so long, I have been so spoiled as to expect "winters" that last a month and then dissolve into the usual warm, sunny flip-flp weather that has become my climate norm. But this is not so in Sacramento (my poor flip-flops are gathering dust and cobwebs). And while I know it could be MUCH worse, I am a wuss when it comes to cold, so please, just be sympathetic.

Cold weather debilitates me. This is one of the reasons, if not THE reason, why I don't enjoy skiing, even though my dad is a fanatic and we grew up visiting the slopes numerous times each season... On swim team, as a kid and even as an adult, I was always the last one in the pool (or in the ocean, when I was triathlon training), negatively anticipating that moment of icy daggers puncturing each inch of my flesh (let me exaggerate). My coaches would always be yelling at me to get in, succeeding only after threatening me with extra laps, or pushing me in, which did happen on several occasions.

And so in my first Sacramento winter, I have been a shivering ball of misery. Yes, we do turn on the heater, but I can't control the climate outside, which has been gray and prickly for some time now. Perhaps I am like Superman; depending on the sun to give me life, energy, and initiative to venture out of the house. I've even stopped running(!) because I am waiting for the sun to shine.

I realize, though, that the sun can't always shine, and it's irresponsible of me to put all things on hold until it does. I am a fair weather fan. Literally, but also metaphorically. And so today, I decided that I would bundle up, brave the elements, and face my storm... and run.  I have to get used to it sometime...