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.

Such was the case this week...

#nevermissaMonday
I never miss a Monday...even if I have to keep it inside. It had been a long time since I've had to do my ritual Monday run with Milly, but Momma N had other plans this week. Desperate times, right? Seriously, though, even I know when the great outdoors are a bit too extreme and I am grateful to have an indoor option available. A half mile power walk (warm-up), two miles of running and another half mile power walk (cool-down) netted me some major sweat equity. All was well.

Hello again, Milly...

Try-It Tuesday
The day started with 30 minutes on the elliptical. I did some experimenting with Ellie, and incorporated some 3-minute intervals of "back-pedaling" into the workout. There also may have been some burpees and planking before I headed off to work.

Double Workout Wednesday
We received a major snow dumping Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning. The morning began with a series of 20's...20 minutes on the elliptical, 20 push-ups, 20 flights of stairs and 20 burpees. That was followed by a good 35+ minutes of heavy-duty snow shoveling. What can I say? When the hubby is away, the shovel and I play. With all that cardio (and cold outdoor air), I didn't need any caffeine to wake up my body or mind.

workout #1 of the day...

Later, I shoveled while home for lunch, and (again) after work. We have a snow blower, but it's the hubby's toy (and I have no interest in learning how to work it). So, all told, I had over two hours of Chief Snow Removal Technician duties....lots of pushing, dragging, squatting, lifting, twisting and power (snow) thrusting & throwing. Jokingly, I deemed it my own version of a driveway crossfit workout. Suffice it to say my legs, core, arms and back all felt maxed out when I called it a day. You gotta laugh about these things, my friends, and maybe the sun will shine a bit brighter in your world. I know it works for me.

giving the snow the ol' heave-ho

Thursday's new #5at5
The weather still was not playing nice - frigidly cold temps and dangerously icy. So not worth it, especially in the dark, early morning hours...so I headed to the mudroom and beckoned Milly. Final score...Milly-1; Kim-5! That's right, you saw it here first...my first-ever #5at5 (five miles at 05:00) with Milly. Even I can't believe it happened. I've done a lot of 5-milers with Milly, but never at this early hour. Oddly, it actually felt a bit empowering.

Frigid Friday
You guessed it, another day inside. I did a quick 20 minutes on the elliptical and some stretching. And that's all she wrote.

More of the same on Saturday
Single digit temps (again!) and sub-ZERO windchill (again)! I had hoped to venture out for a 5K race, but it had been cancelled (due to the weather). So...oops, I did it again--> 5 miles with Milly (just like Thursday, only a few hours later), a pre-run manicure (just like last Saturday) and a post-run ViCtOrY selfie (outside, because I had been staring at the falling snow for for the entirety of my run with Milly and felt the need to "experience it" in the flesh). Granted, I had to make it a progressive run, and up the speed every 1/2 mile, but it got the job done. As much as I detest running on the treadmill, I am grateful to have it as an option. Besides, it's excellent #badazz mental training for me. And that brief moment outside felt kind of refreshing amidst all the sweat encompassing my body. Glass half full, indeed.

Stuck inside Sunday
The temps were still frigidly cold (-5F) and icy outside, so I stayed inside (again LOL). I'm glad I have options. As much as I'd rather be outside, even I have no business navigating the extreme cold or ice, which would be a face-plant just waiting to happen. Besides, my phone's battery lasts about 10 minutes when the temps are this crazy, so I wouldn't have that safety net if said face-plant actually would happen. Anyways, 30 minutes of intervals with Ellie suited me just fine before heading to church. Glass half full, again.

So, how's that for a polar-opposite week (quite literally) in terms of keeping things inside? I didn't get outside for any fitness, other than Wednesday's 2+ hours of snow removal. I did manage a pretty consistent week in terms of moving and grooving....12 miles for running (all of them with Milly), 1.5 miles walking (also with Milly) and 12-ish miles on the elliptical. There also were several push-ups, burpees, leg lifts and all kinds of planking. I'm good with that. Guess what? We have even colder temps headed our way this next week. Windchill is forecast to be 40F-50F BELOW ZERO, so I will most likely be inside (again). Maybe I'll write a new HIIT workout, just to shake things up a bit (and give my cabin fever something to look forward to). Stay tuned.

In case you missed them, here's the posts from the past week:
Hello Winter!
Switching Gears...Say Hello to Ellie
None the less, Let me Runfess

In other news:
Did you catch my Friday Fashion Flair post (on Insta)?  Since I sit at the reception desk at work (right alongside an outer wall, none the less), there's a constant draft every time the main door opens. Hence, I'm always cold. This week's featured fashion item was my hand-knitted wrist warmers. Not only is the red color bright and funky, but these babies keep my hands warm while allowing me to actually use my hands on the computer.

 Finally, in light of all the icky weather as of late, this pic popped up on my Facebook timeline this week. Ironic? When I went through my extensive surgery recovery in 2017, a lot of things became crystal clear to me. My situation was not anything I could have ever imagined experiencing, yet there I was, side-lined from my favorite sport during my favorite season. I probably annoyed a lot of people with my glass-half-full perspective, especially during what could have been a very dark and depressing time. No, it was not a perfect summer for me, but it also could have been far worse. By focusing on the things I could do (lots and lots of walking to maintain my endurance), instead of throwing a lavish pity party (because I was not able to run), I came out ahead. In fact, I think my attitude and "big picture" perspective made me a better person, and my running came back stronger than it had been in recent years. So, even though our recent weather has been kind of evil, it too shall pass. And I will cherish the opportunity when I can get back outside safely. Just think...30F will feel like a major heat wave!

Anyways, enough about me!

Has winter been a bit of a nuisance in your area? Have you been able to get outside, or have you been hibernating inside, like me? Ever stepped outside, on a frigidly cold day, in shorts and a tank...just for kicks (or a selfie)?

 I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!

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