Weathering the Weather

If you don't like the weather, give it a few hours.

I have no idea where that phrase originated, but I can't help but wonder if it was an Iowan who authored it.

What a week of sporadic weather! Momma N treated us to a little bit of everything (short of a hurricane) in my area of the world. None the less, I got outside everyday and did my best to enjoy it, in and out of my running shoes.

Run(streak)fessions

Well, it's my final appearance at the Runfessional for 2018. It's only appropriate I chat about my last running hurrah of the year.

Have you all heard? I have been streaking!

Not running naked (sans clothing), mind you. I'm pretty open minded, but running in the buff ain't gonna happen for me (you can thank me later). I have done the majority of these streak runs, though, via a different kind of "naked," sans music or technology. And I have done all of them outdoors.

A Running Renaissance

Ever experienced a renaissance of your own?

I distinctly remember my 8th grade art class, when we had a unit on the Renaissance movement. My teacher told us that "renaissance" meant "rebirth; rediscovery." Although I am not especially fond of the particular art from that era, that definition of reinaissance stuck with me.

Fast forward to my 2018 winter running streak, this past week in particular. My own kind of renaissance was front and center, via my running shoes.

Five things I'm currently Loving

Not to sound the least bit boastful, but there's been a lot of things I'm loving recently.

It's been an interesting "season" of running (aka, my annual off-season). There's been all kinds of bright and pretty colors happening. And, there's a lot of great stuff to look forward to....

Here's a sampling...

Taking it to the Stairs

Got stairs, will climb (and sweat).

It's no secret I'm an outdoor runner. Even though dear old 'Milly (my almost 18-year old treadmill) is always available, I seldom ever want to play with her. In all honesty, I don't think she is too fond of me, either. After all, she's heard all the nasty things I've said about her (as well as the numerous explicatives I've said in her presence).

Besides, it's (currently) my off-season, and I don't need (or want) to run excess miles for the time being. Since I am running less, I still need (and want) some additional cardio and my preferred form of indoor fitness is found on my stairway!

Totally Acclimated

Acclimation.

What happens when the earlier-than-usual frigid winter-like temps arrive well ahead of schedule? If you're a runner, who despises indoor running, you head outside and face the weather, head-on. Eventually, your body (and mind?) will acclimate, right?

Although we have not had much for snow, we have had cold temps. I know, because I've been outside, every day, run-streaking in them since Thanksgiving.

It's no secret that I much prefer the heat of summer, but even I can adapt and tolerate the extreme cold. I live (and run) in Iowa, after all, and it's not exactly tropical here this time of year.  That said, the sub-freezing temps have been bearable. Dare I say, they were actually quite enjoyable this past week?

2018 - Medals Earned & Lessons Learned

It's no secret that I love my hardware.

After all, every medal tells a story.

Following emergency surgery in June 2017, I had to take a 3-month sabbatical from all things running and racing. I also had to DNS a few races that I'd been looking forward to running that summer. Needless to say, I was eager to make 2018 a memorable year.

Opting Outside!

Maybe it's been cold outside, but at least this past week it has been dry.

How's that for a glass half full outlook?

At the risk of whining (yet again) about the Iowa weather (that I cannot change), let me just remind you that it has been colder than usual this early in the season. It's kind of a crock that the official start of winter is a couple weeks away when it's felt like a full-blown winter (minus the snow) for the past several weeks. It is what it is, and it definitely could be much worse. For example, we should have had several inches of snow, but the two big storms that whizzed through Iowa recently missed my immediate area. First world probs, am I right?

Jingle Bell Run 5K - 2018

Don't you just love a holiday-inspired racing event? I do!

There's just something festive about getting dressed in bright colors and/or festive costumes and pinning on a race bib.

The Jingle Bell Run 5K is actually a national event with numerous local venues across the United States. Affiliated with the Arthritis Foundation, all proceeds from the various events benefit those afflicted with arthritis as well as provide funds to enhance research efforts. This particular event took place on Saturday, December 1st, in Des Moines, Iowa (an hour from my hometown of Grinnell). For more information, you can check out the Arthritis Foundation website HERE to find a race near you or to make a donation.

You may remember that I ran this race last year (recap HERE). This year's race day experience was nothing like last year's (except for the fact that  it was on the same course). Last year, it was a new event for me, run on a beautiful day with oodles of sunshine and pleasant temps. This year, Momma N turned on us...and decided she wasn't gonna play nice.

A Cold Streak

The weather has been most frightful this week, at least in terms of temps.

Although the calendar indicates December, technically we still have three--count 'em, THREE-- weeks remaining of autumn. But, who's counting?

All of my running has been happening outside, none the less, in all kinds of cold weather. I'm kind of stubborn in that regards.