#DadBlog: Tracking Physical Progress

By: Mike Caterini

“Mike! Get out of bed and hit the road. The snow’s starting. You better start running soon!” Is this a bad dream, or did I just hear encouraging shouts emanating from my wife, Judy, downstairs? It’s 7:30 am and she is about to leave for her boot camp workout. I peered outside from my bedroom window and became transfixed by the big fluffy snowflakes falling on the backyard cedars. Perfect! Optimum conditions to try out my new slip preventing Icebug running shoes. They’re the latest in titanium cleat technology from Sweden. The shoes are guaranteed to wear out before the cleats do. The fear of slipping on ice is now a thing of the past and one less excuse to prevent me from running. Bring on the snow!

“Mike ! What’s taking you so long? Just get it over with.” Now, Judy is very serious about boot camp. She seldom misses a workout and drives 25 miles to class every Saturday morning. Lately she even has adopted the demeanor of a drill sergeant and barks orders at me in staccato. Apparently Judy has taken integrating exercise into her life very seriously and is currently on a mission to reform me.

Out the door, my feet hit the fluffy white sidewalk. Crunch, crunch, crunch beat my shoes as they compress the newly fallen snow in a slow, steady rhythm. Now I’m increasing my pace downhill. No slippage! My shoes are now digging in up the next hill. Great traction! Running through the forest and I’m feeling great. Just about to turn left and pick up the waterfront trail. I’m always wary of the waterfront trail in winter. Strong lake breezes blow snow off the trail and expose patches of ice. I’ve slipped a few times and have the bumps and bruises to show for it. But fear no more. I’m now armoured against the elements.

Lake Ontario stretches to the horizon. My thoughts drift …humhh… oatmeal for breakfast?…how do geese stand the cold water ?… Crunch, crunch, crunch… ICE!… can’t avoid it now. .. Ooohhh noooo…. CRACK!… my metal cleats smashed the ice, but I’m still running! Never missed a beat. With renewed confidence I made the turn home at 21 minutes, finishing up in 40 minutes.

“Mike, I’m home. You went running?” remarked Judy with surprise. “Dear, I ran better than I ever expected. Those Icebug shoes really did the trick. I’ll even use them for walking on ice. One can never be too careful with slips and falls.” “Don’t get too attached to those icebugs” she advised. “The weather forecast calls for a sharp warming trend over the next few weeks. You’ll soon be running through puddles and choking on clouds of gnats.” Hmmm…that’s a sure sign that spring is just around the corner I thought. Better get some bug spray.

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