Winter just ended.

We all know that.  When outside is always punctuated with cold & wet.

Snow. Slop. Road salt – BLAHHHH!

I used to suffer this.  The dark night crowding out daylight before getting out of work leaving deadening, unmotivated feelings.

This is called seasonal depression, I guess. 

In the past, I would surrender and fall victim to it November through March

Over those four months I’d yearn for the weekends to go skiing, ice skating or some other structured activity in safe daylight.

Weekday activity was in the gym under crushing fluorescent lights.  Oh how I loathe the gym!

This all kinda sucked.  I would dread the count down to the winter solstice time change with the only salvation being the extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning.

I’d trade that hour for a full season of daylight savings  – were the thoughts back then.

Then in 2011 there was a change.

Bike touring saved me in an unanticipated way.  That year I started gearing up to go on multiday trips after seeing two loaded bikes rolling down Morrissey Boulevard in Boston.

A little Googling told me camping was the frugal and preferred accommodation.

Camping means being outside at night.

After a couple practice overnight tours, I was really diggin’ it all.

Outside at night is totally doable.  All I need is a good headlamp with big lumens to light the way.

“Lumens” – A new word to stick on the vocab shelf.  I became more curious about illuminating the night.

It all gave me some assuredness to ask – Could I run the same trails after work in December just like in August?

5:30pm on a random winter Tuesday and I’m out on a hike to see how this trail thing works after sunset.

I remember being scared.  It’s fucking dark in the woods when it’s cloudy and a low moon.

Headlamp on its brightest setting, I chose just to hike and not run.   Didn’t even know if running was possible yet.

I must have turned to look behind me dozens of times anticipating Zombies, Jason, random serial killers.

 Anything but coyotes.

They would have been welcomed to the comparatively assured violent death in that 80s slasher movie way.

Until……

Defined orange / yellow reflection of 4 pairs of eyes piecing at me.

Just like Jawas in the original Star Wars.  Remember that?

Just eyes under the hood.  No face.  No hair. Eyes only.

WEERWOLVES!!! Was my first thought. 

 I stayed calm and moved closer. 

Image from: https://animalhow.com/glowing-animal-eyes-night/

DEER! 

Phewwwwww!!!

When it’s pitch black and you scan the woods with your headlamp and the deer’s body is just out of the light’s reach.  Just a pair of orange eyes reflecting light is all you see.

Deer are usually in groups.

Let me tell you.  Multiple pairs of orange eyes floating in the darkness + you all alone –

IS FUCKING SCARY!!! – the first time. 

That adrenal flight response. Oh Man! Your “Awake and Alive Meter” jacks up to 200% real quick!

After a couple more confidence building trail night trips (with deer watching), the running started.

My mental state illuminated right along with the path in the woods. 

Seasonal Depression….Gone.

When March rolled around and it was time to Spring Forward with the clocks, I was cured.

Sure I prefer running in the daylight, but I relish those night plights too. 

Different, focused, no people, reflective eyes, moonlit shadows, gulping down cold forest air  – Total medicine.

The winter woods at night have been waiting for me. 

It took a little courage, but now I’m on the trails year round.  Nourishing my mind while doing what I love.

Grateful to have found them.

Get outside people!

It heals. 😊