Feedback

The hours of daylight are in decline.  Winter is “officially” still a month away, but my tights, hat and gloves are out of basement storage.  There are about ten weeks until the day Punxsutawney Phil determines the arrival of spring.  A glance at the calendar displays four bleak months of snow, ice, frigid winds; weather a polar bear would like. 

Needing an ember to stoke my running fire, this week I received the following: 

“It is our pleasure to extend you an offer to be a part of the 2015 Runners Roost Team.”

I feel a bit like Sally Field at the Oscars.  You like me.  You really, really like me.

For those who believe in Sports Periodization, I am in the Transition Phase.  This phase is used to facilitate psychological rest, relaxation and biological regeneration as well as to maintain an acceptable level of general physical preparation.  It allows the body to fully regenerate so that it is prepared for the next season.  The feedback my body is telling me is to rest, but who’s got time for that. 

For the past three weeks I have been participating in No Shave Movember, where men grow mustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to promote manliness.  The feedback I’ve received has been enlightening.  My family hates the mustache.  Close friends and co-workers find it amusing.  “Ah, No Shave Movember” they say.  Acquaintances I see infrequently give me a puzzled look until they realize there’s a caterpillar-esque growth on my upper lip.  My appearance makes total strangers feel really uncomfortable and they can’t get away from me fast enough.   What’s your feedback?