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:

A Fall-Like Blowout

Taming The Treadmill Trepidation

How About a Chai Chat

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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