Spring weather in the Northeast is quite unpredictable and ever-changing. The next few days will prove my point. It has been cold and raw and windy and rainy the past few days. The next few days will be beautiful and eventually summer-like, which is hard to believe but true.
On Tuesday, the weather conditions were atrocious. There was a cold, strong and biting wind. It was raining sideways. And yet ... and yet ... it was a workout day for most of the women's team and a few members of the men's team. The fieldhouse was occupied by the baseball team. We had no choice. We went to the Spackenkill track.
Trust me when I say this is the last place I wanted to be. But it all worked out. The workout went well for those involved. The wind was the biggest factor, but the women and men dealt with it like champs. Nicely done. It had to be done.
The lousy conditions brought to mind a long-ago practice during the cross country season -- probably in the 1993/1994 range. The day's protocol called for mile repeats at the Vanderbilt trail. There was some debate as to the merits of such a workout on such a day -- especially from one young local harrier with the surname of Rose. This surly young man thought it was a stupid idea to do this workout on this day, and he was not shy about telling me and the team just that.
His reticence steeled the resolve of the others (and me). The boys -- led by Mr. Bucket and most probably Dirt Baird (it was a long time ago, I do not recall exactly) -- spread mud all over their faces in an act of solidarity. They did not have to spread the mud on their legs. Their splashing mile repeats through puddles, rocks and roots took care of that.
They got through the workout like champs. The van reeked of mud, sweat, steam and filth on the way home ... and for weeks to follow.
And you know what? That team ran well the rest of the season. Steeled by the resolve of doing that workout on that day in those conditions -- what other guys on other teams in other places were as tough and as crazy on them that day? -- they raced with toughness and confidence that only such a group effort in extreme conditions can engender.
Our young local harrier probably was speaking the voice of reason prior to the workout. But I know of no one on that team who regretted that workout that day.
No matter how bad the day is, it's probably not as terrible as you think once you get moving. While it would be nice to have some of this great weather when the team is actually on campus and practicing (Note: Most of the upcoming great weather will be wasted on Easter Break from Friday through Monday!), we would do our best to deal with the conditions positively and with toughness.
It's the best way to make the best of the fickle spring weather.
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