Coping with the Cold...over coffee

Did you hear?

There was a major dose of  freezing cold weather this week, courtesy of Momma N. It's been called many things (#arcticblast2019 and #polarvortex2019, to name a couple) and it brought record-breaking, sub-ZERO temps throughout much of the Midwest. Fun, frigid times, right?

Anyways, as much as I long for the heat (and humidity) of summer, this crazy and extreme winter has been bearable. Yes, even this summer-loving runner chick has been coping with the less-than-desirable outdoor temps.  Honestly, what good would it do to cower under a thick blanket and wish it away?

Take that, Winter!

Take that, Winter!

I may not be a fan of the sub-ZERO temps (and snow, ice and wind) you've been throwing my way, but I refuse to be all gloom and doom about it. After all, I believe if I can find humor and gratitude in my circumstances, there will always be something to make me smile.

None the less, Let me Runfess...

How is it possible we are approaching the second month of 2019... already???

Winter has been here (according to the calendar) for 35ish days, but we didn't feel the full blast of it until recently. Holy Frozen Buttocks, Batman! The temps plummeted, the wind picked up and the snow arrived (and stayed).

Despite the frigid cold, we have had a fair amount of sunshine, though. My (running) off-season has been going well. Knock wood, I've stayed healthy. The family is doing well. Life has been pretty decent. None the less, there are a few things to Runfess....

Switching Gears...Say Hello to Ellie

One thing I have learned is that running isn't everything.

Even if it's my sport of choice, I have become an even better runner by doing other things. For example, I'm a huge advocate for stair-climbing. I also enjoy an invigorating power walk, any time of the day. Strength-training has also been a longtime supplement to my training.

Recently, though, I added a new friend to my fitness family. I'd like you to meet Ellie. She's my elliptical trainer.

Hello Winter!

Apparently, it was high time winter officially arrived.

I've said it before...if it's gonna be cold, we might as well have some snow to show for it.  Maybe I should be a little more careful what I wish for.

In all seriousness, though, it really was quite a winter wonderland of a week. Even though I'm a die-hard-all-things-summer-gal, I had a pretty amazing week in said wonderland. And, dare I say, I actually LOVED the experience.

Winter Running - Tips, Tricks & Safety

Inside hibernator or opt-outside warrior?

If you're a runner and have ever debated about staying in (on the treadmill) or heading out (in the snow), what option would you choose?

Running - The Gift That Keeps Giving

Running has been pretty good to me.

It got me in shape (13.5 years ago). It toned up my (somewhat) soft body. It built my endurance. After a life of not considering myself an athlete, it proved otherwise.

And, it continues to keep giving to me....

The Off-Season Continues

Ahhhh, the off-season.

Have I, by chance, mentioned it's my off-season at the moment? Actually, it's not just a single moment, and there are several moments remaining of this annual scale-back-on-the-running occurrence.

Anyways, not everyone takes an off-season. We all have our preferences with what works for our training. For myself, this includes a brief period of re-grouping during the winter. After all, I don't usually have much for upcoming races this time of year. I don't need "all the running" to maintain my fitness when there's other things that work just as well while giving "all the running" muscles a lighter schedule.

Plyo-Infused Stair Workout

We all love fast and furious workouts, right?

Well, this will get your heart pumping and test your leg strength. It may also have you questioning your sanity and sweat capacity.

2019 Bring It!

Have you heard? It's a New Year!

I don't know about you, but there's a lot that's gonna keep me busy.

Running into the New Year

Hello 2019!

I can't believe I just typed that. Seriously, how is it possible we are already almost an entire week out of 2018? Alas, time marches on, and it's in our best interest to follow suit.

The first (almost) week of the new year went well. Momma N did her best to thwart my opt-outside Run Streak finale, but that's a given (she pulls this colder-than-frigid weather crap on me every year). I kept my runs outside, though, as well as most of my off-season endeavors this week.

January Coffee Chat

Happy New Year! Happy 2019!

There's plenty to chat about...shall we find a (virtual) table, and grab a (virtual) drink of choice?

2018 in Review

2018.
It definitely was quite a year.

After being sidelined for three months (in 2017), from the sport that I love so much, 2018 was all about rallying back. It was a year of gratitude. It was a year of taking nothing for granted. It was a year of new adventure. And, it was a year full of action-packed fun, both in and out of my running shoes.