Baby it's Cold Outside

Baby, it's cold outside.

Ugh. Welcome to Iowa. I'd offer to take your jacket, but you'll probably want to keep it.

After a nice little late summer/early fall-like weather reprieve, Momma N got down to business and handed us the REAL winter weather we'd been lacking. I was able to keep it outside, but Holy Chilly Cheeks, Batman, it was cold.


Monday started out with the last remains of the previous week's unseasonably warm weather...so I took advantage. After all, it was almost 60-degrees at 5:30 in the morning. I guarantee you that does not happen in Iowa in December very often (if ever). I even celebrated the occasion by wearing shorts for my #nevermissaMonday excursion.

two early morning Monday miles

Things took a drastic turn for the cold on Tuesday. Barb and I met up for a #5at5 but elected to run a different route to stay out of the wind as much as possible. Yes, that's almost a 50-degree drop in feels-like temps in 24 hours. YIKES.

I'm really glad I wore the neck gaiter...

Wednesday was another cold and windy day. I did a quick early morning walk around the 'hood and decided to postpone the streak run until the afternoon, when I knew there'd be sunshine. Mission accomplished....the temps were still sub-freezing, but with the sun on my face the wind didn't feel so bad.

Ah, the sun makes everything better

Thursday was another brutal morning....the temps were -1F with the windchill! I layered up (in a full jacket), did my 1-mile streak run, and headed promptly back inside. Knocking out 20 flights of stairs in a heated house definitely warmed me back up.

Brrrrr....my first "feels-like" sub-ZERO run of the season

Not much on tap for Friday fitness-wise.....but the temps, though still cold, were 10-degrees warmer than Thursday! I'd call that a win!

Another streak run done

Saturday was (again) another brisk morning in Iowa (something tells me it's here to stay). Barb and I hooked up for six miles in the early hours. We started at 6:30 under still-dark skies, but we had full daylight when we finished.

Nailed the layers, so I never felt cold

Sunday was such a bright, sunshiny day! Just an itty bitty single mile to keep the streak alive. There may have been some serious cardio (via Christmas shopping) later in the afternoon...

I love me some sunshine!

So, that's my week all wrapped up. Mileage in the running shoes came in at 18. There was quite a bit of walking as well, but I'm not tracking those miles anymore.

In case you missed them, here's my posts from last week:
Awaken
Jingle Bell Run 5K recap
'tis the Season for Inspiration

In other news:

Good news arrived in my inbox on Friday afternoon! I was selected for the 2018 Rock'n'Blogger team for the Rock'n'Roll Marathon Series races! I have done three of their events (Las Vegas November 2017, Chicago July 2014 , and St. Louis October 2013 ), and all have been so much fun! 

Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post on Instagram? I highlighted my new favorite winter must-have...a blanket scarf. These scarves are so warm and cozy, and having another buffalo plaid piece in my wardrobe makes me ever so happy. Join me! Every Friday, I post a featured outfit on Instagram, and I'd love to see YOU there! Post a pic, use the hashtag #FridayFashionFlair, and give me a tag (@runningonthefly). Easy peasy, right?

All cozy in my blanket scarf

My holiday baking has begun! Here's a preview ....

And, finally, how about an update on my run streak? So far, so good! My streaking mileage (since Thanksgiving Day) is at 46 miles. When this post goes live (Sunday, Dec. 10th), my streak count is at 18 days. I've been able to do all of my runs outside, and that's quite a feat considering the cold temps we had this past week. But, as most of you know, I will do (almost) anything to avoid spending time with 'Milly.

How was your week? Is it as cold for you as it has been for me? Thankfully, we have ZERO snow. There have been some flurries in the air, but nothing has really accumulated in my area. Knock. On. Wood.

By the way...are you following me on social media? You can find me at these various platforms:
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I'm linking up with my gals, Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!