The FREEZE-OUT continues

Holy Brrrr, Batman, the winter FREEZE-OUT continues…

Yes, it was another cold week in my ‘hood (and much of the US). As mentioned, it’s been a pretty precip-free January, but Momma N has been ever-so-generous with dolling out the wind and arctic-like temps. 

Nonetheless, the fitness continued, albeit mainly indoors. That said, the #OptOutside streak continues. In fact, as this post goes to press, the Streak is sitting at 1,884 days of outdoor antics.

Alas, it was a week full of fitness and fun and whatnot….   

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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here’s what went down in my little world of fitness (and fun) and whatnot this week:

Sunday - more time on the stairs

The morning began with a new stair workout, in a pyramid-type of format:

**10 flights double-stepped

***10 flights triple-stepped

**10 more flights double-stepped

*10 flights single-stepped

****repeat****

It had been awhile (like almost an entire year, LOL) since my legs had seen any triple-stepping. Ugh, I’d forgotten just how challenging it was taking the steps “by three.” Even with my long legs, these are done very slowly and really utilize one’s balancing skills. Conversely, single-stepping the steps, after several sets of doubles and triples, almost had me face-planting because my legs wanted to step farther and higher. But, we got it done and had 80 total flights to stash in the stair-training vault.  

By mid-afternoon, the temps had increased substantially, so I headed out for a 2-mile walk. After a few bocks of walking, though, I felt the urge to run…so I did. Oh, did it feel good top just let my legs go and enjoy the experience! Three miles later, I returned to my driveway feeling quite accomplished. 

Never miss a Monday

Sub-ZERO temps (and ridiculous windchill feels-like conditions) had me back in my basement in the early hours. I hit the bike for five miles, then did some lower-body strength and mobility work. I walked a couple of miles in the freezing cold skywalk, then gritted-out a very fast ‘round-the-block walk after work. Brrrrr.

Tuesday = more low-impact cardio 

I didn’t have much time (an accidental slight sleep-in #oops), so it was to the elliptical I went for 20-ish minutes. I tested a new lunchtime routine : doing my walk first, then eating afterwards. My lunch break starts at 11:30, and I’m not yet hungry then. I found that by walking first, I tend to walk with a faster pace which allows for a little more distance. Upon returning to the office, there’s ample time for a quick 10-minute sit-down-and-eat before resuming my duties at 12:30. I wish I would have thought of this six months ago, LOL. Anyways, I was able to knock-out 2-1/2 miles over lunch, then another two miles after getting home (before an evening of basketball …Go Spartans!). 

Wednesday - getting it done in the dark

The o’dark hours may have been chilly, but the wind was minimal. The three miles with Kelly and Hannah went well, and I actually was able to indulge with a short post-run nap after I got back home (since I had a day of PTO). The day was filled with errands, a sunny (and windy) outdoor walk, and an upper-body session before another evening of basketball (Go Hawks!).

Thankful Thursday

I was riding solo this morning, so I didn’t get as early of a start as usual. I had time for 15 miles on the spin bike, though, before heading to the office. I knocked-out 2-1/2 miles in the skywalk (over lunch) and two more after getting home from work.

A freakishly frigid Friday

The forecast was showing progressively colder (and, believe it or not, windier) conditions as the day progressed, so I made the command decision to get my “outdoor” walk done first thing. After returning him, I was thankful for a 5-mile warm-up/thaw-out on the bike. I also added a short upper-body strength session before getting ready for work. The lunchtime walk added another 2-1/2 miles to my day, and that was all she wrote.

Long Ride Saturday, by default

Well, I had high hopes of a short outdoor run, but bailed on that upon wake-up (temps were still in the single digits, which the windchill well below ZERO). So, it was back to the basement, and back to the bike for 20 miles. I added a couple of Peloton strength workouts (lower-body and core) to the mix. Later,  I got out for a 2-mile walk in the late mornin. The bright sunshine was amazing, the cold wind, not so much. 

…and what’s on-deck for Sunday?

My running club is sponsoring the Groundhog Grind 10K at a nearby state park, and I’ll be volunteering. I might try to squeeze in a stair workout, though, before heading to the race. The forecast is showing possible snow (yeah, it was bound to find its way to Iowa eventually), so my afternoon may (or may not) have a walk on the roster. Stay tuned!

All in all, it was a decent week, despite the continued Arctic conditions outdoors. Running saw eight miles, which is a huge improvement from the previous two weeks. Walking logged 19 miles. Biking had 45 miles. I was happy to get several strength sessions done this week as well. 

In case you missed out, here’s what went down ont he blog this week:

Wind & Cold & and another Vortex, Oh My!

Here We Go, Runfessioning, Here We Go!

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I never used to be a fan of the color brown. Several years ago, though, it was touted as the “new black,” and that changed my mind. That said, I prefer the darker shades…but all shades look great with cheetah print booties. Just saying. 

I’ve mentioned the lack of snow we’ve had in my area. These pics are from last weekend…barely a dusting. We do have snow in Sunday’s forecast, but it’s been an odd January in Iowa with only a trace amount of snow on the ground, especially since we had so much of it between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Finally, the forecast is showing all kinds of cloud cover, for Sunday evening and Monday night as well. Well, there’s the Snow Moon run that needed to get done, and there was a clear sky Saturday night. So, I made it happen before dinner. The temps were in the teens, but the wind was very mild…in other words, perfect conditions! Crazy how those single digit temps feel mild in comparison the recent freeze fest we’ve been experiencing.

 

So, there you have it! The last week of January (how is it possible we’re already a full month into 2026?) is in the books. It was another cold and windy one, but I’m grateful for making do with my vast array of indoor fitness gear. Onward!

How did your week play-out? Is it still cold n your region? Were you able to get outdoors for some of your runs or walks, or did you have to keep it inside? 

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