About Me

Saturday, November 6, 2021

BRRRing It!


This week? Brrr, things got cold!

There was frost on the ground every morning (which does look quite magical and sparkly in the o'dark thirty hours) and the wind kept us humble. Thankfully, Momma N sprinkled in plenty of sunshine and kept the rain (and snow, LOL) away.

Alas, all those cold temps rewarded us with all kinds of beautiful color, courtesy of the trees. So it wasn't all bad. 

Before I share all the chilly 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 8:00AM (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 in my little chilly world of fitness this week:

A chilly and sunny Sunday
Nothing too grandiose...three miles of walking fun, amidst all the pretty colors, for my breakfast. That was followed by a dessert of raspberry/chocolate chip pancakes and a very hot chai latte (or two).


Never miss a Monday (and bring a friend!)
I'd gotten a text from Amy the evening prior (remember her? She did most of those hilly bike rides with me over the summer and early fall). She's also a runner, but has not done much outdoor running through the winter season. I'd told her I would gladly run with her anytime, so we made it happen Monday morning. We did a 1/2-mile warm-up walk, ran three miles (around the college campus) and walked the 1/2-mile back home. Done! 


Another easy-peasy Tuesday Schmooze Day
In keeping with my low-key Tuesday routine, we started with 12 miles of intervals on the bike. There was also a post-workday 1.5-mile walk. And that was all she wrote.


A Wednesday with a whoops
So, it's official...my first sub-freezing run (of the season) and I overdressed. How does that happen? I always say the wind is the wild card, and when it's MIA it gets a little tricky. Silly me, I thought 27F temps would feel cold, with or without the wind, but I was wrong. One (light) layer too many had me feeling pretty hot and sweaty after that #5at5 with Barb. That said, I'd rather be too warm than too cold. That will never change.


Thankful Thursday
Well, hello again, Ellie! It had been several months since I'd elliptical'd, so why not seize the day? Besides, I just was not interested in fighting the wind (yes, it was back, LOL). The monitor said we did three miles (full disclosure, I don't know how accurate that is). I'd forgotten how much glistening and glowing the elliptical can ensue! I was reminded how thankful I am to have access to such a great low-impact cardio option, all while the manicure dried.



Not-so-freaky Friday 
Remember my saying that the wind is a wild card? Case in point: Friday morning. Similar temps to Wednesday (actually a bit warmer), but with the 13mph wind, it was feeling like a much different ball game. I wore similar layers, and this time those layers were on-point. This was one of those runs where everything just felt stellar. I'd thought of just running three miles, but I tacked on a (fourth) bonus mile. I made it back home in about 40 minutes, which included a brief stop (to assist someone with a stray dog, courtesy of my Knuckle Lights) and the requisite "selfie stop photo op" at the 3-mile mark. 


Kickin' off the weekend ...
With a big day of travel on tap, I was up and at it in the o'dark thirty hours Saturday morning (not that it doesn't happen on the daily, LOL). Sebbe and I cycled for 15 miles, and I got outside for a quick 2-mile walk before packing up and loading up for another busy weekend...this time Evanston, IL (and vicinity) for the Iowa vs. Northwestern football game.


...and what's on tap for Sunday?
As luck (or Fate?) would have it, there's a little race happening on the streets of the Windy City. Since the Iowa vs. Northwestern game wound up being an evening endeavor, we booked a hotel room (for Saturday evening) and I'll be meeting up with my WRD co-host Deborah (who just happens to be visiting her daughter) for the Hot Chocolate 15K Sunday morning! Does it get any better?



It certainly was a cold week! I know, I know...it IS that time of year. My summer wasn't going to last forever, and it appears my fall isn't hanging around long term either. This weeks stats: Running saw 12 miles (with another 9.3 on tap for Sunday); Walking had 13 miles; Biking had 27 miles of (indoor) action. Also, one session on the elliptical and some miscellaneous upper-body work (as well as all the daily planks and push-ups).  

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! Brrrr, with the cold temps this week, I've been layering like it's my job. Also, with another Iowa game on the weekend's schedule, I simply had to pull out some more black and gold. It happens.


A new-to-me event that I'm looking forward to, mid-January, is the Key West Half Marathon!  Would you just check out that shirt? And the funky rooster-themed medal? Anyone want to join me? I have a couple of promo codes that will score you some bonus swag: BIBRAVE will get a free half fleece OR FREEVISOR will reward you with a free visor. 


So, yeah. Thankfully, the temps did warm up a bit by the weekend, but ugh. It felt more like winter than fall this week. Oh well...it is what it is. 

Just a heads-up, since I'll be racing through the streets of Chicago Sunday morning, I will be delayed in reading/commenting/replying to the blogs. I pinky swear to try to catch up as we journey back (post-race), but promise to have everything caught up before bedtime Sunday evening.

How are things in your world? Cold (winter-like) temps? Wind? Frost? Fall colors? Any races coming up, or scheduled for 2022 already?

 

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38 comments:

  1. I like your black and gold because black and orange are my running club's colours! And good work as always. We got down to your 34 on Friday, I was worried there'd be frost on the pavements for my run with Claire but it was fortunately OK. I might be running again (hooray!) but not keen on slippery surfaces.

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    1. Slippery surfaces are scary, no matter the temps! Glad to hear running is back in your life ;-)

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  2. It's funny how the wind makes such a significant difference! Glad to see you just keep going even with Momma N throwing all kinds of things at you! We're the complete opposite here and have really struggled the last few days with some extremely high temperatures. I wish we just had middle ground temps throughout the year, wouldn't that be nice!

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    1. Momma N is an evil little old gal, but she will not break me, LOL. The wind truly is a nemesis, especially when the temps turn chilly.

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  3. It got cold here too, but luckily there was no wind! We woke up to frost almost every morning too. It really came out of nowhere. Have fun in Chicago!

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    1. This is so typical for Iowa, unfortunately. Fall (and usually Spring, as well) are practically non-existent. ((sigh))

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  4. Here despite the rain it's warm, perfect temperature for running. This morning I wore a t-shirt.
    Have fun in Chicago: enjoy the race and the football game.

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    1. Thank you! Chicago was awesome...great weather, a super fun time with Deborah, and the Hawkeyes won!

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  5. I've run HC multiple times and the weather is always dicey. Looks like you have a perfect day. Enjoy!

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    1. Momma N and her slew of weather gods were very generous to us this weekend!

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  6. Ok, so it's not just me. It was cold this week! I thought I was just being a whimp about it :) We didn't get the wind though. Hope you are having a fun day in Chicago. I'll be there in a few weeks and am looking forward to it.

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    1. No, you were not alone in feeling cold. UGH. And, we had plenty of wind, which I'd be glad to share with you...if you're wanting any?

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  7. You totally lucked out with this weekend's weather. As Wendy said, typically HC weekend is all over the map. Enjoy!

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    1. Well, the Rn'R, a few years ago, was a wash-out LOL, so this weekend's weather was totally on-point.

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  8. This past week was pretty chilly, but this coming week should be a little warmer. We had our first frost one morning this week with a hard freeze and I forgot to cover my deck flowers so bye-bye to them until spring. :-(

    Have a fun time at your race today with Deborah and have a great week!

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    1. I was able to move my big pots of flowers up to my front porch (so they're mostly covered), so they're still looking good. I usually try to bring them inside for the winter...if I don't procrastinate too long...

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  9. yes on the chilly...in the 20s. Hate it mainly because I can't stand to bundle up. And then I wear too much and I am warm.

    You will have lots of fun today. That is a great race. I wish it would come back to NY.

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    1. The race really was a great time! The weather was perfect (but did get a little warm in the final miles), and Deborah's company was awesome ;-)

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  10. Oh, you're in my hometown right now!!! Looks like you're having some nice weather (although I'm not sure what the wind is like...). I'm hope you have a great race and an amazing time!
    I soooo want to join you in that Key West half! I wish it were later... pretty sure I won't be in half marathon shape in January. Well, you can tell me all about it!

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    1. Well, there is a 5K option in Key West...just saying ;-) The wind wasn't too mean today...it felt cold a few times, but we mostly had shelter from the buildings and plenty of sunshine.

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  11. How fun you and Deborah were able to race together! Hope you had a blast!

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  12. You sure have gotten winter weather already!

    How great that things worked out to meet-up and race with Deborah! I’m sure you ladies will have a great time.

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    1. It was a lot of fun with Deborah. The 9.3 miles went much too fast ;-)

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  13. Definitely a chill in the air this week but so much sunshine -- that warms my soul. :) And a brief warmup on the way next week, too.

    Have a marvelous time with Deborah (I know you will) and oh yeah enjoy the race, LOL!

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    1. I'm so grateful for all the sunshine we had. It really does make a difference when the temps get so chilly and windy.

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  14. Enjoy the Hot Cocoa run!!! How fun!!

    It got cool here too, but mostly in the mornings! It was 30s when I ran this morning and it's 50s now. Such a difference a few hours and some sunshine makes!

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    1. It was really cold here, most mornings, but much nicer by afternoon...so I know that feeling ;-) I wish it could be a tiny bit warmer in those early hours...

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  15. We had a perfect day today! So glad we could make it happen

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    1. It was so much fun! We need to make this an annual endeavor!

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  16. Sounds like such a fun weekend! Can't wait to hear more about it!

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  17. So cool that you got to run a race with Deborah! We haven't dropped below freezing yet, but I have had trouble dressing for the weather. I'm used to high humidity which makes cold feel even cooler in Florida so I've been overdressed multiple times.

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  18. I'm totally going to slot in Key West one January. Alas I already have one on the books the prior weekend in 2022. Isn't it great to have that "problem" again?
    I'm with you on the layers. I feel like a toddler who can't dress herself when the seasons change.
    So glad you and Deborah got to race together

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  19. The cold weather made a visit here this week as well. We really did jump from Spring to Winter, but I guess I should be happy for the 2 weeks of consistent Fall weather we did get lol.

    Love that you were able to have such a fun weekend in Chicago AND run a race with Deborah!

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  20. So much fun for you this week! And I love that you had such a fun race in Chicago! Amazing!

    We are in the 40s in the morning and OMG it's so cold so early! I'm super excited for the chance of a chilly Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    So efficient to let your nails dry while on equipment! Genius, really!

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