Frigid, Frosty & Feisty

Well well well...for such a short month, February sure makes a name for itself.

This week started off with sunny skies and pleasant temps, took a turn for the extreme cold, and rebounded back to spring-like weather. Wow, one would almost need a tightly buckled safety belt for such a roller coaster ride!

In keeping with my #OptOutside daily streak, I did get outdoors everyday. And I was blessed with almost every kind of weather imaginable. Emphasis on the almost...

Before I dis on the deets of the week, 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 8:00AM (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 ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down in my little world of fitness and whatnot this week:

A Beautiful Sunny Sunday

The morning started with another Sunday (slight) sleep-in. By late morning, the temps had climbed to the mid/high 40F's, so I got out for a 3-mile walk with Amy (remember her from all those weekly bike rides?). A few hours later, I headed back out for another 3-mile walk (this time while chatting with a friend on the phone). I waited until early evening to do my riding (since I was doing that indoors anyways), and cranked out 15 miles in the saddle.

 

Another Never-Miss-a-Monday

The early morning temps were still chilly (and the sky was still dark), so I opted for six miles of HIIT on the bike. By mid-morning, the temps were pleasant and the sky was sunny, so Michele and I got in a couple of 1-mile walks during our breaks.

Later, I headed out for a 5K run after work. Although the temps had fallen enough to warrant tights (instead of shorts), I still had ample daylight and remnants of sunshine. No complaints!

A Festive Fat Tuesday

I thought it only appropriate to don the Mardi Gras tights for my early morning 14-miler with Deb. So what if I was a hot mess as a result? Fashion Before Function, right? I also did a 20-minute Barre workout afterwards. As the day wore on, the weather turned cold. My 1-mile walk, after work, had me layered-up and fighting the bitter wind.

pic courtesy of Deb ;-)

Another Double Workout Wednesday

The wind howled all night, sounding much like a blizzard. I awoke feeling more tired than I had the night before, so there was ZERO motivation to go for a run. The forecast was showing rain all day, then turning to snow and freezing by mid/late afternoon...so there would definitely NOT be any running after work. Instead, I opted for a couple of upper-body workouts, via Peloton app (so many raises #ouch). Surprisingly, the temps stayed right at 32F/33F all day, so the forecasted ice wasn't nearly as bad as we were expecting. I did manage a 1-mile walk after work, with minimal slipping, and then spent 30 minutes on the elliptical (for "5 miles" of cardio).

 

A Very Thankful Thursday

As mentioned, most of the ice missed us (yay!), but the temps were still crazy cold and windy (ugh!). Due to an accidental sleep-in (this is getting to be a habit, LOL), I was short on time. My solution: Hit the stairs for 15 minutes of HIIT-like cardio and 60 flights of fun. After work, Barb and I met for four miles of insanity in the crazy wind...I even wore my "civilian" winter jacket (title pic, above).

A Feeling Fine Friday

With a 7:30 PT session on the schedule, I didn't have a lot of extra time nor did I know what was in store for me...so I kept things fairly low-key. I did a 20-minute Peloton class and stopped the bike at 7.1 miles, resisting the temptation to finish out 10 miles (you have no idea how much restraint that took!). Next, I had a 15-minute full-body stretching class (also via Peloton), which felt amazing. At my PT appointment, she did an ultrasound "deep heat" treatment followed by some stretching and more dry needling. WOW, the combination of everything left me feeling great! It was another cold and blustery day, but the 2-mile post-workday walk wasn't too treacherous.

A Super Saturday

Barb and I met up at 7:30, planning to run at least six miles, but I was hoping for seven (and possibly eight). I'd done a 3-mile ride prior (and some dynamic stretches), so my legs felt good right outta the gate. Temps were sitting at 15F, but ZERO wind and the sunshine was spectacular. We got to six miles with ease, and were able to do the bonus mile as well...ending at seven. By then, truthfully, I was feeling a bit fatigued and didn't feel the need to push the mileage any further. I walked a mile back home, and then did another 10 miles on the bike for a cool-down/leg flush-out. Since I hadn't done much for strength work this week, I cued-up at 10-minute upper-body workout (Peloton app). Wow, I often forget how intense those 10-minute workouts are because not a second is wasted. There also was a little more biking later in the day (see below)...  

...and what's happening on Sunday?

We have another nice day in the forecast (temps in the mid/high 50F's!), so I might save the biking for later in the day and get outside in the morning. Then again, I might do some early-morning biking (when it's still dark outside) and go walking mid-morning. I might even sneak in a second (or a third?) walk in the evening. I have lots of possibilities, and I plan to take advantage of the nice weather!

So, yeah, Momma N and Old Man Winter were either at each others' throats or were having some kind of a ridiculous game of I Dare You. I'm just glad things turned much warmer as the week ended. Nothing crazy happening this week; I kept things pretty mellow...running had 14 miles, walking had 13, and biking saw 62 miles of action. A little bit of strength work, some stair-climbing, and a lot of stretching...all is well.  

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog:

Dialing it Back a Bit

6 Favorites from '22

A Few 'Fessions for February

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. As mentioned, Friday's weather was absolutely ridiculously cold. Look closely...I had three layers on! I almost wore a black shirt under the brown sweater, but spontaneously chose the denim button-down instead. I like the funky punch of contrast the denim gave it, and it's a given I love my puffer vests.

As mentioned, there were a few extra bonus miles on the bike late Saturday afternoon. I'd forgotten about the 100K biking challenge, but after a few other badges popped up (from my Saturday antics), this one got my attention. I only needed seven more miles to reach the 100K mark. So, why not?

Finally, how about another update on the livelihood of my house plants? The dieffenbachia (on the left) currently has four "babies" that sprouted from the original "stumps" of my late grandmother's plant. I don't know how long she had the original plant, but she gave it to me when she moved to a smaller dwelling (in the spring of 1994). I cut back the plant a couple years ago, and these four stalks sprouted from the roots. Just this weekend, I noticed there's now a fifth baby sprouting (bottom pic)! On the right is a Christmas cactus I got during the holiday season...and it's in the process of re-blooming! I've never had one of these re-bloom so soon after Christmas, so there's going to be a nice pop of color in the sunroom (ironically, right alongside the orchid...which is still in bloom, LOL).

So yeah. Quite a week in the state of Iowa! Hopefully this frigid "finale" to February is the last of the bitter cold weather. I know we'll still have some cold temps, but my fingers are crossed the worst is behind us.

How did your week play out? Did you get another blast of cold weather as well? Any fun celebrations on Fat Tuesday? Any racing? Favorite workout(s) of the week?

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