 |
Let me just say, "BRRRR!" Even though I've lived in Iowa most of my life, I still think the winters are brutal. Granted, I've learned to deal with them, and they can be bearable (most of the time), but they still are cold.
None the less, I make an honest effort to get outside as much as possible, especially for my running. Thankfully, I didn't have to succumb to the 'mill this week (except for some walking).
Before we get into the nitty gritty of it all, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!
I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)
 |
So, here's what went down, this week, in my little world of fitness:
#nevermissaMonday
I rode along with the hubby, over to the central campus of the college, and ran a couple 1-mile laps while he did some lifting. The temps were comfortable (41F) but the air was quite foggy. I was able to stay on the sidewalk, had ample light (via lampposts) and didn't have to worry about any traffic.
 |
| Yeah, the fog did wonderful things to my hair... |
Nothing ground-breaking...30 minutes on the elliptical, first thing in the morning (with a quick cryotherapy moment outside afterwards), then a 1-mile streak run over lunch. The temps had taken a sudden plummet Monday afternoon, and were still freezing (literally) on Tuesday. So what if the 19F temps felt like 6F in the requisite north wind? I'm a runner; I can tolerate most anything for one mile.
#snowyrun4Wednesday
There was a fresh layer of snow greeting me upon wake-up. I decided to drive back to the central campus and run a 2-mile loop (encompassing some of the adjacent neighborhood). I was leery about black ice, but it was a nonissue. Look closely...after a 6-week music sabbatical, I borrowed the hubby's Ipod Nano. Being the tech moron that I am, I couldn't figure out how to set the music to shuffle...so I settled for 20ish minutes of ABBA's greatest hits (definitely not a bad thing LOL).
 |
| reunited with music, and it felt so good |
Another sub-freezing endeavor, I met up with Barb for our weekly early morning 5-miler. Have I mentioned the wind? Well, it was in full force Thursday morning! Winter has definitely staged a comeback. And, that beautiful full moon was hidden behind clouds. Whomp whomp.
 |
| A new pair of obnoxious Christmas tights...don't be jealous |
Kind of a low-key day...an easy-paced 1-mile streak run in the wee hours, which was followed by a 1-mile power walk on the treadmill. The temps were (again) below freezing, in the low 20F's, but the wind was a no-show. It's crazy how comfortable those weather conditions feel when there isn't any wind to battle.
 |
A definite Iowa winter experience, the temps were cold and windy (26F, with a 15F feels-like) on Saturday morning. With a long day of extended family Christmas festivities on tap, the run needed to happen early. I met Barb at 6:30 for what I thought would be four easy miles. Instead, my phone showed we'd run five miles. I'd left my Garmin at home, so I didn't have anything to compare it to...but my phone almost ALWAYS shows a shorter distance, so I'm going with five(ish) miles for the record. Since so many of my runs are in the dark, it was nice having daylight for the last mile!
 |
| Crazy wind = crazy hair |
This was (I think) my coldest run yet this season. I tried a new strategy by doing a 1-mile power walk on the treadmill before heading outside. I knew I was only going to run one mile, so I wanted my muscles nice and warm before stepping outside and facing the cold. Hmmm, I might employ that warm-up again! Then, upon returning home, I had not just one, but two, drive-bys catch me as I selfie'd on my front walkway. It happens. I'm just glad I can laugh about it.
 |
| I"m glad I was on the walkway and not the street LOL |
In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:
Change in the Weather
Blinging it in 2019
Jingle for a Cure 5K recap
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair on Instagram - The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team had a major victory over their interstate rivals, the Iowa State Cyclones, on Thursday night! Being a proud Iowa alumni, I thought it only appropriate to showcase my alma mater's school colors. Wouldn't you? As always, you're invited to join the fashion party on Friday...post a pic, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and be sure to tag me (@runningonthefly). It's fun seeing our fitness friends in "real" clothing, right?
 |
| a 40F-drop in feels-like temps within less than 12 hours |
 |
So smart to start your Sunday run with a warmup walk, I may steal that idea. We had a rain/sleet/snow mess yesterday so this was an all indoor week for me. Whether inside or out, nothing beats winter weather like a good sweat!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't know how I hadn't though of a warm-up treadmill walk before now. This running thing, I'm still figuring it out LOL
DeleteWe warmed up, otherwise we'd have another ton of snow on the ground -- instead it's mostly gone. The wind's a howling right now and the temp's are dropping. More snow to come. Second verse, same as the first. :)
ReplyDeleteGood job getting in all your fitness this week AND listening to your body & giving it a little sleep, too.
The wind was crazy almost every day this week. It is what it is, but UGH.
DeleteThey showed a 50-car pileup on the news thanks to that snow squall in Iowa. Thankfully we were not as cold or as snowy here in Chicago. I think the coldest we got was 14 and there was snow and wintery mix in the forecast that never came. We do have plenty of grey though.
ReplyDeleteThat snow squall was freaky! It was like a full-on blizzard for about 90 minutes...then clear, sunny skies for the rest of the day (and colder than cold temps, as a result). I saw the full moon as I was leaving work on Wednesday...but that was it.
DeleteLoving your Christmas tights, and the baking! It's been around zero degrees here a lot of the week, when it hasn't been (and sometimes when it HAS been) throwing down rain and trying to blow us over. No actual snow, though, or ice.
ReplyDeleteWe got some snow Monday (during the snow squall episode), then some more overnight...but that's all gone now. We definitely have the freezing temps, though!
DeleteGreat job getting in your runs! 42 sounds downright tropical :) Those sweets look delicious!
ReplyDelete42 felt almost tropical! I was amazed how comfortable the low 20's feel when there's no wind LOL
DeleteI admire you for keeping up your streak in that freezing weather, Kim! That, the dark mornings and the sleep deficit would have me staying in bed like a wimp ��.
ReplyDeleteYour cookies look great! HOW can you not eat them while baking!? ��
My secret to not eating all the sweets (or any food, for that matter) between meals is the Invisalign ortho treatment I'm doing. I have to brush/floss every time I eat or drink anything (other than plain water), so it's easier to just skip the foods/drinks. My streak is officially half over (as of yesterday), so the motivation to finish it out is strong :-)
DeleteLooking at all of those sweets makes me wish that I lived closer to you - they all look so yummy!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you are keeping your streak alive, despite the crazy cold temps that you have experienced the past two weeks.
Now that I've crossed the halfway point, the Streak should go even faster (emphasis on SHOULD).
DeleteI can't complain about our weather--it's seasonally cold, minimal wind. It could be so much worse! Bummed I couldn't get out for a run today. Fingers crossed it's nice for my drive to Madison romorrow.
ReplyDeleteI think our temps have been just slightly colder than usual, but the snow has been minimal. The wind, though, UGH.
DeleteOh my goodness I love turtles made with pretzels, Rolos, and a pecan half. Mom and I usually make them, too. So yummy!
ReplyDeleteI need to pull out my festive tights this week!
Thanks for the linkup!
The turtle are so easy to make, the most pain-staking part is unwrapping all the Rolos. It's fun having some festive holiday tights to play with :-)
DeleteCan't believe it's so cold already. We have not been too bad yet. Great idea to warm up on the treadmill before heading out when it's that cold. Hope you had fun with your family today
ReplyDeleteThe family get-together was a lot of fun! I look forward to it every year :-) Yeah, our weather has been all over the map...colder than usual, and also warmer than usual at times, too.
DeleteWe got your warm up this week. It's nice not to have to worry about ice and snow while running but it just feels odd to have rain and warm temps. I don't like it. Snow is in the forecast for Tuesday though. YAY!!!
ReplyDeleteFamily get togethers are the best! I always look forward to mine. I really admire you for keeping up your streak in sub zero weather haha. Sometimes even weather in the 30s is enough to keep me in bed!
ReplyDeleteOur weather has been kind of up and down too. It was in the low 40s last night, but it will be almost 80 tomorrow afternoon. I can't keep it straight.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing so awesome with that streak!
I love that yellow plaid scarf. I love plaid and I always feel like I should go with the buffalo or red versions, but the other colors always look so great and then I have regrets.
It sure is cold there!! I am giving in to the holiday sugar but we work so hard on them I’m pretty good at savoring a few at a time. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThose treats look good! I have spent the weekend trying to bake stuff... but I am the world's worst baker when it comes to cookies, so it was just a super duper frustrating day!! I really need to just stop trying. Love all of your outfits this week. So fun and festive!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Kim - let's get outside as much as possible this winter. Yesterday Bill and I ran from the gym. Several people asked us "Are you going to run OUTSIDE???" It was 45 degrees and partly sunny! Come on, people. I hope your freaky snow squall doesn't come this way! :)
ReplyDeleteWe got snow this morning. I am going to postpone my run to after school. I do have a meeting so I hope I am still in the mood to run. :-) This week my family is hosting several posadas so that should be fun. The "big" one will be on Saturday at a cousin's house where lots of family members will get together. It is always fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, Winter really was brutal for you last week. I'm impressed with all the outside time you got!
ReplyDeleteGreat job keeping your streak alive in some frosty conditions! I love the idea of using your treadmill to warm up before heading outside - definitely going to try that!
ReplyDeleteWay to keep the streak alive! I am loving your holiday themed tights. It has been very chilly the last 2 days here in Maine!
ReplyDeleteGreat job keeping it going.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lot of snow and then it got washed away and then more snow...not running so hasn't affected me.
Been hitting the bike in the cozy warm gym.
Not obnoxious - adorable tights.
ReplyDeleteI agree re: anything for one mile. Today was high 30s/low 40s and I was doing errands after a run fail and it wasn't terrible because there was no wind.