I Made it Through the Freeze

Yeah, this past week was rather frigid.

We're talking sub-ZERO temps, most days, in Iowa. The snow continued to fall, the wind kept blowing  and the streets remained a near-hazard. Thankfully, as we neared the weekend, things were finally (after two solid weeks of polar vortex conditions) on the upswing.

Before I share the details, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down this week:

Never miss a (cold) Monday 

Brrrr, Can you say record-setting cold temps? I beg of you, don't be jealous. Another early-morning 3-mile jaunt with Milly, and the requisite outdoor selfie afterwards. After work, I ventured out for a brisk 1-mile walk before hopping on the (indoor) bike for 10 miles.

Another typical (even colder) Tuesday

The cold saga continued...five indoor miles on the elliptical in the wee hours, and another (even brisker) 1-mile walk after work.

Whoa, a wonderful Wednesday!

Monday's run had been my seventh consecutive treadmill run; the thought of another such run did not sound the least bit appealing. With the forecast showing a slight warm-up, the thought of swapping my morning run for a bike ride crossed my mind. In all honesty, it gave me such peace and a huge sense of relief (when I went to bed Tuesday night). When I awoke Wednesday morning, I was so jazzed to NOT be running (on the 'mill), that I rode 15 miles instead of the usual 10. No guilt, whatsoever.

Mind you, the temps were still cold, throughout most of the day. But the sunshine was almost blinding on my 1-mile walk over lunch. I could have called it good, but when I got home from work, the outdoors were calling. I got dressed, drove over to the college, and proceeded to run four invigorating miles. The streets were still a mess, but the sidewalks were pretty clear, and that's all she wrote. This caged bird had been set free. The treadmill streak had ended...those seven consecutive runs had been seven too many.

  

Easy-peasy Thursday

I rode those Wednesday post-run endorphins well into the next day. Even though I had stretched and foam-rolled, I knew my body needed some down time the next morning. A little bit of stretching and twisting, mixed in with some core work, and all was well. There also was an upper-body strength session in the evening.

Friday's finale

The early morning temps were (again) sub-0, and I really didn't feel it wise to negotiate the frozen slush and ice in the dark (call me crazy). So, somewhat reluctantly, I opted for the treadmill...and it actually wasn't too terrible. It's crazy how much faster a 2-mile run goes compared to a 5-miler (I know, that's quite a ground-breaking revelation). I guess Wednesday's outdoor run was the break I needed. So, two miles with Milly, then another four miles on the elliptical...all before daybreak 

A super-sunny Saturday

With another blogger Zoom ride on tap (for 8:30 my time), my morning began with a 6:15 meet-up with Barb. It had been a couple weeks since we'd  done any running in each others' company. The temps were still cold, but "not as cold" as they'd been. We ran six miles, and got to witness the sunrise. This also was my longest run since my stress fracture, and everything felt fine. Just being back outside was totally euphoric, and running my longest distance, in six months, was a bonus. I have a 10K happening in two weeks (Leprechaun Chase, Papillion NE) and feel ready.

...and a snowy Sunday

Just when we thought Momma N was playing nice, she did a 180 and blessed us with more snow. I got out for a 2-mile trek, with a whole lotta slipping and sliding to boot. The snow may look pretty, but I'm ready for it to vacate and not return for 10 months. Onward!  

Despite the crazy cold, I did my best to persevere through the week. Running saw 15 miles, with 10 of those outside! I've been keeping consistent with walking (almost) everyday (especially on my non-running days)...8 miles done this week. Elliptical had nine miles of action and biking had 35 miles. Also, 40 flights of stairs (as part of my warm-up before my runs).

In case you missed out, here's what all went down on the blog this week:

Freeze Frame

A Few Pet Peeves with Milly

Stuck Inside - No Need to Hide

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! By lunchtime, Friday's 24F temps felt quite tropical. How do you feel about cheetah print? Or the combo of brown and cobalt? Mix them all together and I was quite content. Care to join me? Post a pic of your Friday outfit on Instagram, grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and be sure to tag me (@runningonthefly).

Saturday's Zoom ride with some fellow blogging gals was another fun endeavor. It was 40 fast and furious minutes of pedaling and chatting with Darlene, Debbie, and Coco. We even had Max join us for a quick photo bomb.

So, that's my week, all wrapped up and tied with a (frosty) bow.

How are things in your world? Did you get extreme temps and/or weather conditions? Have you been able to get outside, or have you been opting inside?

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