Recently asked me, what on Earth possesses you to walk everyday. Particularly, she was curious about me still going out in freezing temps to walk.

I know, it’s hard being at The Olympian level here of getting out everyday, but some normal, average everyday kinda girl has to rise to the occasion.

I figure that girl might as well be me.

But in all seriousness … what it is, is this: besides the fact that it gets me out and physically moving, aka, good for the heart and body, I need it to reaffirm my existence.

This is, ironically, much easier for me to do during winter. There is something about the cold, especially the bitter cold, that makes you come-to. Your senses are jarred. You are aware. Of your breath, your movements, your environment.

I need this to remind myself that I am alive. I’m still here. Making it — day by day. Hour by hour. Nothing can be all that bad in the scheme of things when I can move and breathe and feel. Feel the wind burn my cheeks and my eyes start to water and my chin go slightly numb.

I don’t mind it. In fact, I enjoy it. Another waking meditation. Nothing more than just a dream.