Nov 17, 1999

I read your article and -- perhaps my egocentrism gets the best of me -- I thought your comment
regarding a woman in Michigan who feared running during the winter may
have referred to me. I sent you an e-mail some time in the September
inquiring about running alternatives for when the snow falls, ice takes
over the sidwalks and roads, and the air is cold enough to chap your lips
like Velcro.

Whether or not I am the person you referred to, I thought I'd just write to say that I have discovered that your advice to get outside for as long as possible is, indeed, good advice. Without my knowing it, the spring and summer I spent running outside transformed me into an all-season outdoorsperson.

A recent cold spell inspired a visit to the gym, but after 10 skyless, fluorescent minutes on a machine I decided to head outside for my usual fantastic run around the lake. And I plan on doing it for as long as my lips can stand it. (Margaret Gheen, Ann Arbor, Michigan)

REPLY: The secret is out! I didn't use your name for two reasons -- to avoid any possible embarrassment to you, and to let you become a generic runner with whom readers could identify.

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