Runfessions and Coffee Talk

So, what exactly happened to January???

For one of the longer months (31 days, after all) and a cold time of year, January actually went rather quickly. No complaints on my part. The temps were actually more mild than extreme (unlike a year ago). Although I can tolerate the cold, I'm eager to move closer to Summer (well, and Spring, too).

Anyways, shall we gather for a warm beverage and chat a bit? Better yet, shall we share a few runfessions? Surely I'm not the only one with a few of those...

Winter Iowa Games 5K

There's a first time for everything, right?

Since 1987, Iowa has hosted the Iowa Games. Similarly to the Olympic Games (but obviously on a much smaller scale), there are summer events and winter events that take part over the course of a couple weekends (in each season) encompassing various sporting events.

I have participated in the Summer Iowa Games, doing the 5K and 10K road races in 2016, 2018 and 2019. It's never fit my schedule to take part in the Winter Iowa Games, but that all changed this past weekend.

Back Outside Never Felt So Fine

Back outside never felt so fine!

You gotta believe me on this. After three of my last four runs had happened indoors (from the previous week), I desperately needed a sabbatical from Dear Old Milly (my not-so-beloved treadmill). Thankfully, this week's weather was much more bearable and allowed me to take most of my workouts back outside.

This week threw me a lot of challenges. We're talking time management, social obligations, appointments, you name it. I'm thankful I didn't have to deal with more Milly time as well...

Tackling the Treadmill Turmoil

The treadmill has been my nemesis for quite some time.

I'm not afraid of it. I'm not intimidated by it. I'm certainly not in a battle with it. But I avoid running on it at (almost) all cost.

A bigger-than-BIG goal of mine, this winter, is to have a much more open mind and a welcoming heart when it comes to indoor running. Heck, if I can make it through a Polar Vortex (and endure upwards of 20 Milly runs, all in one season), I can probably survive most any (near) catastrophic experience.

That's not an exaggeration.

Okay Momma N...GAME ON!!!

Momma N seems to love playing games.

I try to keep an open mind to her antics, but I'm not always amused. I have learned, often times, it's best to call her bluff and beat her at her own game. Such was the case this week.

Yes, it's Winter in Iowa. It happens every year, right? It snows, the wind blows, the temps dive well under the sub-freezing range. And we all survive. If we're lucky, we all can find some humor in the discomfort...

My 2o2o Focus

Do you have a vision for 2020?

Any goals, or ideals? New habits to implement?  Bad habits to kick to the curb?

Recently, I came up with a personal mantra of sorts. Kind of a slogan, kind of a theme. More of a focus, though, than anything else...

Yes, It Just Might Be Winter!

 Lest there be any doubt, I do believe Winter is officially here for awhile.

As much as I'd like to avoid it completely, it's my Iowa reality. At least now, after this week's crazy weather antics, I can just settle in for the season.

So far, it hasn't been too treacherous....

Five 4 Friday - Current Hashtags

How do YOU feel about hashtags?

Do you use them? Abuse them? Roll your eyes at them? Or, do you get a good laugh at a few random clever ones sprinkled into an Instagram post?

It's no secret that I use them frequently, and not just on Insta. They have a way of revealing a bit more insight into a story or situation, without any unnecessary words or sentences. Although not always grammatically correct, they are a unique nuance to modern day vocabulary.

Five Fun Features from my recent Run Streak

Have you heard? The Streak has ended.

The 2019 Winter Run Streak, that is. This was my seventh year taking part in the annual Runner's World-promoted event, this one encompassing 35 days of continuous daily runs.

There were morning runs, after-work runs, runches and even a couple races. There was no time for boredom to set in or burnout to take over.

Care to hear a few highlights?

Back to my Regularly Scheduled Winter

We all knew it was bound to happen, right?

Momma N had given us nearly two weeks of unseasonably warm "winter" temps. As much as I enjoyed those temps, it was a gamble just how long they'd stick around. This is the Midwest, after all.  It's not supposed to be shorts-wearing weather this time of year, even for runners.

Oh well, it was ever-so-nice while it happened!

If we were Conversing over Coffee

In all honesty, if we were indeed conversing over coffee...I'd be drinking a hot chai latte.'

I actually don't like coffee ...and, yet, I call myself a runner LOL. Don't worry, I don't like beer or bananas, either, so I have all kinds of non-typical running quirks going on.

Although I do not care for the taste of coffee, I'd gladly meet up at a coffee shop because I adore the aroma. And the conversation, if a group of runners would be gathered around a crowded table, would be amazing.

What ya say? Shall we? What's there to discuss?