Saturday, December 23, 2017

Tis the Season 

Tis the season!

This is the time of year for a myriad of emotions, busy-ness, and stress. It's also when there seems to be a lot of good cheer in the (cold) air. Even though not all of us celebrate the same holidays, I think most of us share in the general "good will towards others" thing as the holiday season engulfs us.


It was an especially festive week for me, in more ways than one. Care to hear about it?

Monday had mucho chilly temps in the wee dark hours, but warm temps were in the afternoon's forecast...so I hustled out the door and did a quick walk with Max, and saved my streak run for later. As the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait," and Momma N was most kind. Temps in the high 40's are so comfy this time of year! Even with some slight wind, the two miles in the afternoon sun had me feeling all giddy (and my Christmas tree-adorned socks were quite sparkly as well).
The festive socks were sparkling bright in the afternoon sunshine
Although Tuesday's temps may have looked cold "on paper," they actually felt nice. There's just something about being out in the early morning (still dark) hours on a calm morning.....it totally awakens my mind and body. And, another #5at5? What's not to love?
Chilly, but oh-so-tranquil
Wednesday morning had me just not "feeling the run" when I woke up...so I didn't. Running is a choice, after all. I knew there'd be sunshine (again) later, so I did some stair work instead. I only did 20 flights of stairs, but I did them barefoot and in (somewhat) slow motion. I took the steps "by two's," which always ups the intensity, so it felt like a fast flow yoga session.
20 quick "flights" to start the day
Later, I headed outside for a quick 1-miler to keep my running streak in business. Again, chilly temps, but the sunshine always makes it feel warmer. That evening, I did 100 squats before bedtime (and, #holyouch, those squats and their sinister DOMS came back to bite my buttocks on Friday morning).
Go bright or go home
I met up with Barb on Thursday, and we made a command decision to run a different "in town" route to (hopefully) have a little shelter from the crazy wind. Amazingly, the only thing that felt cold was my face. Another successful #5at5 and all was well with my world. Also, it was the Winter Solstice! Woot!!!! Longer days from here on out!
Let there be wind!
I awoke to a fresh dusting of snow on Friday morning. Believe it or not, we have not had any snow (other than a few flurries in the air) in Iowa! There wasn't much in the grass, but there were traces of it accumulating in the street and it was still coming down when I was outside with Max for his morning outdoor ritual. Alas, the little snow that we'd received was gone within a couple hours. Later, after work, some of us met up for our annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Run Under The Lights and enjoyed four miles of holiday beauty and companionship.


Ugly Holiday Sweater Run under the holiday lights
Saturday morning, Brrrr! Single digit "feels like" temps (and a tiny bit of wind) were happening. I heard the lake beckoning and I answered the call (besides, there would be some tree shelter from the wind). Also, I had heard there was a decorated tree along the trail and I wanted to find it...much to my surprise, there actually were two! What was really neat, and so-holiday-cheer-laden, was the fact that both of these trees were near the halfway point around the lake....so whomever decorated them, had a bit of a hike (with all the decorations) to make it happen. How's that for seasonal tidings of great joy?
Chilly temps but festive decorations at the lake
Sunday, guess what greeted me? More snow...and I think this snow will actually last through Christmas. It was day 32 of my running streak (Wow! How did that happen???). The air was so peaceful. I could feel the snowflakes sprinkling my face as I heard the snow crunch underfoot. Even though I am a summer runner by choice, this short run in the crisp, calm winter air was absolute perfection. I don't love the snow, but I certainly would miss not having it.
My first run with snow underfoot!
So, that's a wrap on this holiday-inspired week. Total mileage (Monday through Sunday) came in at 20 miles. My running streak is still going strong, and we're closing in on the conclusion in another week. I have managed to do every streak run outside (I started on Thanksgiving and will end on New Year's Day). Total streaking mileage is at 84, with eight days remaining. I'm hoping to surpass the century mark....stay tuned!

In case you missed them, here's my posts from last week:
Significance
My #PlotTwist of a Year-Races and Bling
Even More INSPIRATION

In other news:
I have had a lot of fun with my recent #FridayFashionFlair posts (on Instagram). I love color, and I especially love wearing red this time of year. We had our office party on Friday, so I dug out an old favorite, my red velvet "peasant" top...and wouldn't you know? My Santa hat was almost a perfect match! Velvet is tricky in that it seems to go in and out of main stream fashion, but always is on point during the holiday season. It's easy to dress it up or dress it down, depending on where you're headed. Do you own any velvet? You're welcome to play along....post a pic of a favorite outfit on Friday, hashtag it #FridayFashionFlair, and drop me a tag (@runningonthefly).
red velvet for the holidays
I grew up with all of the Star Wars stuff...but I must confess, I never quite grasped the story line. I knew that Luke and Leia were brother and sister, and that Darth Vader was their father...but that's where it ended for me. We've been doing a Star Wars marathon, and I have been enlightened (sort of). I'm just thankful to have two of the kids to explain (most of) it to me LOL (and they haven't rolled their eyes too much).
Star Wars.....
And, last of all, anyone out there as excited as me to make it to the winter solstice? Every winter, it feels like such a milestone to reach December 21st! Call me crazy, but I think I can already tell the days are longer!

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing and outdoor
Let's celebrate!
Also, I recently participated in a fun holiday card swap, and received this nice little treat in the mail from Ana (from Mother, Run, Hike). Thanks, Ana!!
Blogger friends are great!
***On a side note, I want to share a great opportunity with you! Laura, of Mommy Run Fast , is offering a great online  nutrition class in January that is geared towards runners. Care to join me?  Follow this link ---> Runner's Fit and Fueled  for more information. AND, I even have a promo code for you --->"ONTHEFLY.
I want to wish you all a blessed holiday season, and a joyous 2018! Do you have big plans for Christmas? Family traditions? Getting tired of red and green yet?  Are you a Star Wars fan?

By the way...are you following me on social media? You can find me at these various platforms:
Let's connect : Facebook Instagram  Pinterest Twitter

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! 

**I'm also linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

30 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about the Temps on paper being colder than it actually is! I haven't had a really cold run yet but am looking forward to running in the snow when we get some! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Just this morning (Christmas Day), the temps had a "feels like" of -5...but I actually felt fine (well, it was cold, but not uncomfortable LOL). What the WHAT???

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  2. We are Star wars fans; might check out the new one tomorrow. Or not. More snow supposedly on its way -- last one was mostly an ice storm which we shoveled off today. Not fun.

    I am so with you on the solstice.

    Have a wonderful Christmas, Kim!

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    1. I'd like to see the new Star Wars movie...but I have three movies to watch before I do so. And, I will need my son along to narrate and commentate for me LOL

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  3. Great job keeping the streak alive despite the weather. That's great that you had some flexibility and didn't have to do all your runs super early in the morning! I loved you outfit for #FridayFashionFlair this week :)

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    1. I like my early morning runs, but it's nice to do a few of the runs in actual daylight (and sunshine!) once in awhile ;-)

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  4. Great job on your streaking! I live for the winter solstice once the days start getting shorter, I think I can tell the days are getting longer too!

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    1. Passing the winter solstice is SO euphoric!!!! (the summer solstice? not so much...)

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  5. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday full of good food and good cheer.
    Have a very Merry Christmas, and we wish you all the best in the New Year, too!
    Ryoma.

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  6. Yay for snow in your area, finally!! It is odd that you guys haven't gotten it sooner. An ugly Christmas sweater run sounds like a fun way to get in some miles in the cold ...great idea! Merry Christmas Kim and best wishes for a blessed 2018!

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    1. It's odd that our first snow cam so late, but we certainly did have the cold weather

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  7. I love all your festive photos! We aren't having a while Christmas, but we are having a ~windy~ Christmas!

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    1. Oh, we've had plenty of wind, too...glad the wind was minimal today, though. The sub-ZERO temps were cold enough LOL

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  8. My wedding anniversary is the Winter Solstice, so I have two reasons to look forward to it every year. :) I've been off work since Wed, so many of my runs were moved to the warmer afternoons. Back to work tomorrow means back to early morning (read: cold and dark) runs. Hope you're having a fabulous Christmas Day!

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    1. Yes, back to work for me as well, but I'm banking on a slow day at the office, and am hoping to do a longish run in the afternoon (#sunshine)

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  9. Hey, I was you with Star Wars just a few years ago! My husband is a Star Wars lover and he wasn't going to let me be lost throughout the latest movies so we marathoned them too!

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    1. ha ha...well, I'm still a bit lost. There's so many extra characters that I have a hard time understanding their significance to the story...Now if this was harry Potter, I'd be in absolute contentment.

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  10. We've been having the opposite problem - the temps sound good, but it's been so grey that it feels colder. And now I'm heading to the real cold that is Wisconsin... Brrr...

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    1. I have found (and you'll probably agree since you run in kinds of weather as well)...the wind and sunshine (or lack of either) is a major game changer when it comes to tolerable or unpleasant conditions.

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  11. You do inspire me. It's so hard to get out the door when the temps are near zero.

    Everyone seems to be on the treadmill which I hate.

    Give me strength...

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    1. I have successfully avoided the treadmill so far...if there's any ice, I will stay inside this winter. I can't risk any falls on my recovered knee's suture seam. UGH.

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  12. I've been in the mountains since Thursday afternoon, and we've gotten close to 2 feet of snow in two storms. There wasn't anything here, but now there's a lot, and the ski resorts are happy.

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    1. It was actually nice to see this first snow, since it came peacefully and there wasn't enough of it to cause any problems or safety issues.

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  13. I didn't even know Luke and Leia were brother and sister until I read it in your post. I went to the very first ever Star Wars movie with friends while in college and hated it. I didn't want to be rude and leave during the movie, but I couldn't wait for it to be over so I could go home. I haven't seen a Star Wars movie since...

    I always act like I don't like running in the cold either, but once I get out of my car and get warmed up in the first quarter mile, I love it.

    I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

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    1. Well, it's not revealed that Luke and Leia are brother/sister until the second and third movies...so you didn't stick around long enough LOL Now if this was Harry Potter, I'd totally be in the know and not so confused on who all these strange characters (non-people characters) are and their significance.

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  14. I'm really not a Star Wars fan, so I'm happy to take a pass on the new movie. I hope you had a great Christmas!

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    1. Well, I can't exactly call myself a SW fan, either. I may need to watch all these movies again to get a better grasp on all that's happening...maybe...or not LOL

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  15. Its been brrr! indeed here in MN too! We have some snow but only a few inches. Most of my runs have been indoors, though. Since I am commuting to work it has been cray finding time to run except at the gym at work. But i guess is better than nothing.

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    1. I can never decide if I like having snow (since it's already so cold...it's nice to have something to show for it), or if the snow just makes it seem that much colder...None the less, Christmas is done, the snow can leave as well ;-)

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