Adjusting to new situations can sometimes be hard. Admittedly, I’m not always able to adjust to a new situation on the spot. But lately, it seems to be taking longer than normal. And I know, it has to do with being comfortable with the way things or places are. Yet in the last few weeks, I’ve often wondered if it’s because I’m getting older thereby making it harder to adjust.
Let’s take running in familiar places as an example. I have been doing 99% of my training in Seattle, WA. Though I do have to admit, I enjoy doing the occasional run or racing events in other cities. But doing more than the occasional run or two in other cities is the adjusting problem.
Seattle’s weather isn’t always nice. In fact, more often than not, it is raining, drizzling, or just plain cold. The few really nice days are still somewhat on the cool side. Running in that type of weather means you don’t overheat as much. Though I have been known to curse when the 
temperature is down in the 30s, it’s raining, and the wind is blowing. But to compensate for the rain, the cold, and the wind, you have the beautiful Seattle parks, lakes, and views.
And those views are spectacular. Eagles sit high atop of trees, ducks and geese waddle across the paths, and the snow topped mountains glisten in the morning sunlight. On the lakes, there are houseboats to look at and kayakers and
rowing teams are plowing through the cold water. In the neighborhood, there are other runners trying to get their morning run in, nodding, and greeting you with the slight lift of their fingers.
But lately I’ve been down in California. And since I’m committed to several races in the near future, I still need to get my training in.
Here the weather is warmer. In fact, a couple of days, the temperatures hit over 90. And where I am, there are few parks and lakes similar to Seattle to run around. My training runs have been on sidewalks as lanes of cars and buses rush by expelling their exhaust fumes and causing the dust to whirl around me. California does have its beaches but it is not always feasible to drive there due to traffic for a short run.
Finding that nice, almost scenic route to run has taken some time to find. And I must admit, I had to GPS myself back to my starting place as I did get lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
One route I finally found is uphill for about two miles (just over 400 feet in an elevation climb) before finally coming to a place where you can see a good portion of the San Gabriel Valley, 
then it is downhill. I can extend my run by zigzagging through a nice, quiet neighborhood, go up more hills, and nod at the one or two runners who pass me by.
I also have found a park nearby which is a great place for a short run with old, shady trees, a creek, and playgrounds for kids. Here there are more people walking, doing tai-chi, or just communing with nature. Around and above the park are dirt paths for trail running and horse-back riding. The trails have a nice view of the San Gabriel Valley though you do have to step around horse dung, watch for that rattle snake or two, and wonder if that “not-too-savory” guy who just came out from
behind the sun-baked shrubbery is really okay.
For my longer runs, I do try to drive to the beach since it is cooler there. I love running down there. I love looking at the houses that line the beach, looking out over the sandy beach to the ocean, and trying to make it to the Queen Mary. I haven’t quite gotten there yet. That is a 15 mile round trip to the Queen Mary then back to my car. Here, there 
are also more people running and walking along the beach path, smiling and lifting their fingers in a silent salute.
Unfortunately, there is a major drawback to running down by the beach. It is mostly flat and most half marathon routes that I am training for aren’t flat. So I do keep challenging myself to run up that steep hill with the nice view of San Gabriel Valley. I will, one day soon, be able to conquer running the whole 2 miles without walking for a couple of minutes and cursing under my breath.
Slowly, I am finding, adjusting, and enjoying these new routes. And I have decided that though it may have seemed longer to adjust, it isn’t because I’m getting older. I just love the Seattle views.