The Great Thaw-Out

The Iowa weather just keeps us guessing.

First, we have arctic-like conditions for several weeks, but sans snow  (I’m looking at you, January). Then, we’re blessed with a couple weeks of very unseasonably warm temps, while the rest of the country was buried under several inches of snow and ice. Last weekend had us fighting the aftermath of a sudden much-more-snow-than-expected storm. 

And, this week? It started out very winter-like, but we gradually made our way back to early spring-like temps.    

Yes, never a dull moment!

How about a few February ‘Fessions

 

February 2026 was quite a unique month. 

The weather threw most of us for a loop. While much of the US spent the greater part of the month under snow and ice, Iowa was pretty much exempt from the usual extreme conditions of the winter season. 

With such an unseasonably pleasant month, one would think there wouldn’t be any ‘fessing needed. But, the ‘fessions, nonetheless, are still ripe and ready…

Care to join me at the ‘fessional? 

A Sneak Peek at Spring

A quick sneak peek at Spring?

Please, and thank you! Although I am well aware the true winter temps and conditions will return (probably with a vengeance), I’ll take any reprieve from the extreme cold I can get.  

After a very cold start, the week ended with a major upswing in terms of temps. Of course, the wind still kept its presence known, but the great outdoors felt oh-so-much improved. 

Besides, it was nice saying goodbye to Winter for few days….

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….   

Here we go Runfessing, Here We Go!

Here we are, already entertaining the first runfession session of 2026. 

As per usual, the month of January was anything but boring. It actually was quite cold and crazy windy in Iowa, but the usual “white stuff,” which shall not be named, was at the bare minimum. No complaints in that regard.

 Alas, here’s a few select ‘fessions to come clean on…

Wind & Cold & Another Vortex, Oh My!

The Iowa winter continues, as does its less-than-desirable weather conditions.

As if the cold temps and blustery wind weren’t enough, Momma N upped her game and sent an intense polar vortex to the greater part of the USA late in the week. Although it’s been extremely cold and windy, the precip has been pretty minimal in my area…so there’s that, at least. 

But still, I’m totally not a fan of the winter season…

Are We Feeling Festive?

Here we go!

The holiday spirit is going strong, and the craziness is getting real. Of course, we have the weather doing its ever unpredictable dance, but I guess that just keeps us on our toes (see what I did there?).

Winter, Why So Early???

Wowza! When Momma N decides it’s time for winter, she doesn’t mess around.

Yeah, there was all kinds of winter antics happening this week. The temps were cold (and set some records), the wind was crazy, and there was plenty of the white stuff. 

Ugh. We all knew it was coming, but the extreme conditions were 4-5 weeks early. Alas, what’s a gal to do but face the cold conditions head first… 

Feelin’ the Freezeout

Talk about your polar vortex posers. 

Wow, Momna N did not want to play nice this week in terms of temps & wind! She did grant us a bit of grace with a plenitude of sunshine, so there’s that. 

In keeping with my #OptOutside streak, I got outside everyday, but I may have questioned my sanity in doing so. It’s a good thing I’m #IowaTough…

It’s All About Perspective

Perspective.

This week was all about keeping things in perspective. Although Momma N dumped a lot of the white stuff on us, we really haven’t had much snow this winter. It’s definitely been cold and windy, but there hasn’t been much in terms of adverse conditions either.  And, let’s not forget we’re already halfway through February! In a few weeks, we’ll be only a few more weeks from Spring’s arrival.

Speaking of perspective, that shovel (above, title pic) isn’t really as big as it appears. The artistic element of perspective is what makes items in the foreground look much bigger than those behind it, LOL. 

But, I digress…

Back to our Regularly Scheduled Winter

Yes, the real winter has returned.

After a week of spring-preview temps, Momma N snapped us back to reality. After all, it’s not like we didn’t know it was coming, right? This is winter in the Midwest, and we’ve barely crossed into February.

That said, it’s been a weird winter with little-to-no snow all season. We’ve had plenty of cold temps, though, and an abundance of wind. This week saw a little bit of ice, so we’re keeping humble, LOL

Weathering the BRRR!

 Have I ever mentioned that winter is my fourth favorite season?

If not, I’m saying it now. Ugh, this week was C-O-L-D! Thankfully, the precip has been at the minimum (thus far, #NoComplaints). But Holy Brrr, Batman, the sub-freezing temps (and sub-ZERO feels-like conditions) have been less than pleasant.

It’s a good thing I’ve got the #IowaTough thing going for me.

Whiplashed by the Weather

 

…and just like that, the weather is “whiplashing” us back to realty.

We still haven’t had much for precip in my area, and I’m totally good with that. This week did see some crazy cold conditions, though. Need I mention the wicked wind?

Next week’s forecast is showing those arctic temps continuing, so lucky us! It’s a good thing I’m #IowaTough and have the gear to show for it.

One Week In…

How is time going SOOO fast?

Here we are, already more than a full week in and (already) the new year isn’t feeling so new. I’m always amazed how quickly the pre-season routine(s) return(s) once the metaphorical ball drops at 12:00 on January 1st. 

Another Streak: Done!

Indeed. Another Runner’s World Winter Run Streak is in the rear view window. 

What started as a supposed once-and-done ordeal has returned every year since 2013. Whodda thunk?

This particular streak was different from all previous ones, in so many ways and on so many levels.

Welcome to the (winter) Jungle

I’d wish you a warm welcome, but it would be an oxymoron of a gesture.

Yes, it may be the first Weekly Run Down of 2025, but the only thing warm about it would be the spoken words of my greeting, LOL. Holy Brrr, Batman, it done got frigid!

Nonetheless, this is my Midwest reality, and I refuse to let it defeat me…

Seasonal Chillin’

‘Tis certainly the season for chillin,’ both figuratively and (quite) literally!

Momma N held nothing back this week, except for all things warm. Fortunately, she wasn’t especially generous with snow, bless her.  She more than made up for that, though, with cold temps and insane wind on the daily. 

Holy Brrr, Batman! It was a cold one!

Back to the BRRR

Well, this was a week!

The past two Decembers, at least in my area, have been mild. There hasn’t been much snow. The temps have been cold, but not extreme. There’s been wind (Hello, #Iowa LOL), but nothing too painful.

This December, thus far? Let’s just say we haven’t been quite so fortunate.

Thankfully, the snow has been very minimal, but the outdoor “feels” have been less than fantastic…and it’s not officially Winter for another week. Eek! I’m glad I’m Iowa Tough!

Not ready for this Winter Reality

Talk about your Iowa weather reality checks.

Yeah. Although the calendar isn’t showing Winter’s official arrival for a couple weeks, Momma N had other plans. We’re talking January-like temps, wind, and weather conditions most of the week. Brrr!

And yet, I choose to live here, LOL.

I See The LIGHT!

This time of year can be tricky and temperamental.

The temps are all over the map (currently, they're flirting with spring in Iowa), the wind is unrelenting, and the threat of snow is far from over. But, the daylight is increasing! My early morning outdoor antics are seeing signs of the sunrise and my post-workday activities are not shrouded in darkness anymore.

In a nut shell, things are looking brighter as we work our way through the final weeks of winter.