When I say I'm chillin,' don't confuse it with "chilly."
My condolences to anyone who may be huddled under your thickest blanket. It's no secret how I feel about the cold Iowa winters. I'm ever so grateful to not be experiencing those conditions first-hand, at least for a few weeks. Of course, that just means I'll get to re-acclimate when I return...but I'll deal with that in due time.
Anyways, no matter the temps outside, I'm always game for a hot beverage. Add in the opportunity to gather with friends (even if it's virtual and not face-to-face), and that just sweetens the deal. It's always fun to get together and just chat. I'll bring my chai late' and you can grab your beverage of choice.
What ya say? Shall we?
If we were gathered, I'd first tell you how my December stats played out. While I dutifully log all my workouts and miles (I'm old-school, so this happens with pen and paper, LOL), I honestly don't pay much attention to the running totals. I check them on a weekly basis (for my WRD post), but that's about all the attention I give them. Ugh, I'm not sure when walking fell off the radar, but 25 miles, for an entire month, is pretty pathetic. At least the running was where it usually is, and the biking dominated. Two outta three ain't bad.
Since we're talking stats (or at least I am), I'd also tell you about my entire 2021. It's no surprise biking, again, came away with the highest honors. What can I say? Biking has really served me well. It's a fabulous workout in and of itself. It's awesome as a recovery vice. And, it's a great supplement to running, since it works and strengthens different muscles. Plus, it's another excuse to be outside. I haven't even touched on all the Peloton love I've received, via my stationary bike.
I'll share a little annoyance with my current situation...I've become (slightly) Garmin-dependent. It's not that I love my Garmin and feel like I need to have it with me every waking minute (ha! Not a chance!), but the place where we're snowbirding has numerous (like, MOST of them) curving streets. I don't really care much about my pace when I'm walking or running, but I do like to know my distance. If the streets were mostly straight, I could count the blocks and have an approximation of distance, but not when I'm constantly going in circles, LOL. My sense of direction is really getting challenged as well. But, the temps are warm, the sunrises have been beautiful, and I'm ever-so-grateful to be here. 'Nuff said.
If you're interested, I'll also share my walking goal(s). As mentioned, walking sort of took a hike (how's that for a bad pun?) in recent months. Even though I cringe at setting mileage goals, I'm going to try to hit 100 miles of walking each month. These, BTW, are intentional miles. I don't wear a tracking device to "keep count" of every foot strike, so I have to do these miles the old fashioned way. If I'm able to hit these 100 monthly miles, I will have no trouble surpassing 1,000 miles for 2022. Since I'm currently in a warm place, with ample places for safe walking, no matter the time of day (or night), I'm hoping January will give me a great kickstart as I embark on this quest. PS, as this post goes live, I'm already at 20 miles for January, so I'm well ahead of schedule.
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| because runners can walk, too |
Finally, since we'll probably be talking about races, I'll tell you what I have on the calendar. A few weeks ago, there was a promo to register for both DAM to DSM at the same time as the Des Moines Women's race weekend...so I took advantage. D2D isn't until June 4th, and the DSM Women's weekend is May 7th-8th (I'll be doing the 10K on the 8th). Just a few days ago, I hopped on the Drake Relays Road Races wagon and got registered for the half marathon (April 24th). Also, the Market-to-Market Relay is back, and this year I'll be running on a team with some local gals (May 14th). Oh, and there's a local 5K happening Saturday morning. Whew! Go big or go home!
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| have shoes, will race |
So, that's the latest! Your turn...
Since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm linking this with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date.
I'm living vicariously through your FL adventures. It's well under 30 here so I'm most likely going to be on the 'mill for the next few days. After running 6 races in the last two months it's starting to set in that I won't have another one until February. But once March gets here I'll have my pick of things to chose from. This year as much as possible I'm going to do races that I haven't done before.
ReplyDeleteI try to get in as many new-to-me races as I can, but I have so many nearby favorites that I just cannot say "no" to. I'm glad I'm getting in a Florida race, tomorrow, while we're here. I don't think I've ever run a January race in warm weather gear ;-)
DeleteGlad you're enjoying your time away. It's pretty cold right now...
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing all the snowy pics and hearing about the frigid feels-like temps back home. Glad I don't have to deal with that for a few weeks.
DeleteYour FL adventures bring back wonderful memories of our own snowbird trip last February. While we don't have too much snow at the moment, I can do without this morning's -15. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteThose temps sound SO brutal! December wasn't tropical, by a long shot, but it was pretty mild in comparison to what the usual seasonal temps were supposed to be. I'm sure this extreme cold came as a big shock to the system.
DeleteMy only goal is to keep moving when it feels right for my body, and to rest when that feels right to my body. It's the simple things in life. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like 2022 is off to a great start for you, Kim, despite the Garmin problems. I like to know my distance, too. You've got plenty of things to look forward to!
Yes, the Garmin situation is very minimal, but is kind of a necessary evil if I want to know my distance. I'll have to wear it for my bike rides, too, since the bikes here don't have the "bike computers" on them. I think I'll manage, LOL.
DeleteWe're getting out first big snowstorm of 2022 today and next week it's supposed to get down to -20 Celcius. Ugh. The kids are also doing at-home learning. But it's not all bad. I've left up some twinkle lights on the mantle and I'm currently sitting in front of the fireplace. I'd gladly switch to a warm-weather climate, but making the best with what we've got for now!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for already having so many fun races in the calendar!
Our place here has an artificial Ficus tree with lights, inside, so it kind of gives a "feel" of Christmas. I'm really glad to not be dealing with my typical Iowa winter at the moment...it's really frigid back there!
DeleteReflections on 2021 —I feel like I really stalled out professionally, even though I did what I could with virtual conferences and two live one. Personally, I spent the year in physical rehab between my fractured rib and my Achilles. Family-wise, the big highlight was my son’s wedding. :-) No concrete plans yet for 2022 — I need to get on that!
ReplyDeleteI haven't ironed out any concrete plans yet for 2022 either. Staying healthy and injury-free are paramount, so I have zero desire to push myself in terms of excess running. I'm glad biking is a huge part of my fitness now ;-)
DeleteI worked really hard this past year on building my brand as they call it and focused a lot on on IG. I am happy with the progress I have made. I am going to continue that for now. You had a great year of mileage for all 3 sports. It is nice to see embracing Peloton strength now. How fun to already have a few races on your plan. I have 2 right now and I sure hope they happen. Enjoy your warmer temps
ReplyDeleteYour brand is really strong, and I love seeing all your posts. You're a great inspiration to all of us!
DeleteGlad you're enjoying our balmy weather! You can probably bank some of those walking miles while you're down here- just in case conditions are quite as conducive when you get back to Iowa. Yes, you'll have to re-acclimate, but look at it this way- you're shortening your winter significantly, and that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteBanking the walking miles is definitely part of my plan. It's so walker-friendly where we are, there's no excuse to NOT be walking a few times each day. And, I am glad to be shortening my winter ;-)
DeleteI only record my running and I met my 2021 goal. My walking miles slacked off and biking was practically non-existent.
ReplyDeleteYes lots of races planned. I plan to continue the same amount of running. I don't need lots of miles and it keeps me injury-free that way. I'd like to walk more and maybe even bike more. Healthy is number uno.
It's weird to wonder what happened to all my walking miles, LOL. I'm outside, everyday, and usually can fit in at least a 1-mile walk over lunch of during my morning/afternoon breaks. I guess the run streaking took over (?).
DeleteI don't have a mileage goal but I think I will do more walking this year. I am not training for any races so that makes it easier to fit in walks.
ReplyDeleteTraining for races can certainly be a time-suck (as well as energy). Walking is such an easy way to get time outdoors (or even on a treadmill) and keep one's fitness level on par.
DeleteIt looks like you've got some fun races planned!
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm not much for mileage goals either, I like your walking goal. Somewhere along the way walking fell off for me and I'd like to get back to it with some consistency.
Keep enjoying those warm temps :)
Intentional miles are such a great thing to plan for, which reminds me I need to set up my spreadsheet. Re: Garmin dependent, funny how we j ust know some distances. When I first switched to the Apple watch people were warning me about the inaccuracy. BUt my 4m morning run is four miles. Sometimes it's 3.98 and others is 4.05 if I don't need to buy coffee. The curves would make me crazy too. Enjoy the warm air!
ReplyDeleteGlad biking is going well for you! It got "cold" here (absolutely nothing compared to Iowa) so I haven't done that in a bit.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to be more consistent with my exercising this year. I don't usually do mileage goals either but I may have to do that!
I am glad you are enjoying your time in the warm weather. It is cold here and I do not like it one bit. I have my running goal but am thinking of a bike (Peloton) goal too. Not sure what though. I'll wait and see when I get back to work and see how often I can use the bike after work. So far my only race is the one in March. But if I keep missing training runs then I need to rethink it.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the passion for running we have other things in common: I like to log workouts and miles with pen and paper (even if I have 2 running programs in my pc too) and I must know the distance of every workout, no matter the pace.
ReplyDeleteI like(d) to ride but I sold my bike to not risk anymore.
Market to Market is one of my bucket list races! I don't think I can manage it this year, but man, I want that one! I've never made a walking goal, but I walk a mile most days at lunch with Beer Geek. It's gonna kill me when he goes back to the office...
ReplyDeleteSorry about your Garmin dependency. I love having mine going, but everyone is different.
ReplyDeleteI haven't registered for much yet. I need to get on it.
I'm so happy you're able to escape Iowa during such a cold month. Do you think someday you'll spend the entire winter there? We've enjoyed the warmth this weekend and are flying back into cold rain this afternoon (hopefully the freezing rain will have stopped by then).
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