Saturday, January 22, 2022

Totally Temp Tolerant


Not only can I do hard things, I can tolerate a lot of things, too.

For example, the Florida weather. While Momma N has thrown a few curve balls in my direction, I have been able to face every last one of them. After all, I'm #IowaTough. The Florida winter that I've experienced, thus far, has been easy-peasy compared to what I'm used to.

That said, Momma N did give me a run for my money this week....

Before I give you a sampling of 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 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 (current) little world of fitness, Florida style:

Sunday's agenda - TLC: 101
With the virtual Key West Half Marathon done (a day prior), Sunday morning was all about some TLC for the body that had carried me through 13.1 miles. Amazingly, I awoke feeling rested and DOMS-free. The weather was icky (windy and rainy), so it was a perfect morning to do some focused stretching. By lunchtime, the rain had moved on, so I hit up one of my favorite 3-mile routes for some walking under the sun (title pic, above). 


Never miss an action-packed Monday!
Holy yikes, did Momma N turn down the temps and turn up the wind! It was 46F (with a feels-like of 41F) in the early morning hours. Knowing I'd be running later (and still wanted to give my post-13.1 legs a little more downtime), I kept things simple with a 3-mile walk. Later, I joined a few of the Peloton Gang Gals for my first-ever live class (20-minute core class with Daniel).


Fortunately, by lunchtime, the temps had risen. I made a command decision to go for a 10-mile bike ride (with Flo, the green bike). Not sure all that wind was really necessary, just saying. Somehow, I managed a decent pace, but staying vertical was a challenge. 


And, let's not forget there was a full moon! By evening, the wind had all but disappeared. The 52F temps felt ideal, and the sky was so incredibly clear! Not a bad setting for my ninth full moon run! Full Moon 5K for the win!


Tuesday's Reality - Holy Bum Burn, Batman!
It was another cold morning (by Florida standards, LOL), so I started with some strength work while waiting for daylight. Let's just say 40 minutes of upper-body & lower-body work had my entire body on fire. I needed a 2-mile walk to cool things off, LOL. I also learned I'd completed 100 Peloton classes and had just finished a 45-day "daily workout" streak (some of those days were stretching and core classes, so don't be too impressed). 


Double Workout Wednesday.
Boom! Another "cold" Florida morning! Being from Iowa, though, I know a thing or two about layering. My layering game was totally on-point for my morning 5-mile sunrise run. Then, with a decent 30-degree jump in temps, I got out for some mid-afternoon cycling (13 miles, this time with Rider, the red bike).


Thankful Thursday.
There's just something empowering and invigorating about getting the strength work done first thing in the morning. I've said it before, but my early morning workouts truly are my "breakfast." Thursday's entre included 20 minutes of upper-body strength, 10 minutes of core, and two miles of walking. Later, over lunch, Rider and I spent 11 miles of pedaling together.


Friday's focus: easy-peasy pre-weekend prep
Nothing crazy...a 2-mile run in the early morning, a 3-mile walk over lunch, and a couple of core workouts in the afternoon. BTW, ever have one of those awkward revelations, mid run, when you realize 57F feels MUCH warmer than it usually does? You shed the (lightweight) jacket, do a waist-tie with it...only to realize it looks like a weird skirt? Yeah, that was me.
 

Saturday: How about another 5K race? 
We'd gotten a flyer advertising the Running With The Herd 5K at our other 5K (two weeks ago), so we thought, "why not?" Momma N didn't exactly bless us with optimal race day weather (cold, damp and windy), but it certainly wasn't anything I hadn't seen before. This was a small local event that supported the Villages High School and took place on and around the school grounds and parking lots. I'll share a few more details in a recap, but let's suffice it to say it made for an interesting race.
 

What's on tap for Sunday?
Something I didn't mention is that I'm taking part in a (virtual) PeloFondo biking event. I knocked out almost 13 miles, Saturday afternoon, in the cold and wind, so I will be finishing up the remaining 22 miles on Sunday (for 35 cumulative miles). Stay tuned.  

So, despite the mix of weather (cold and hot temps, wind, precip), I'm happy with what I accomplished. I only have another week of this snowbird gig, so getting outside as much as possible is a huge priority. Believe me, whatever weather Florida throws at me is MUCH more tolerable than what's happening in Iowa right now. This week saw 14 miles of running, 19 miles of walking, and 47 miles of biking. There was plenty of strength work and core work as well. Yadda Yadda Yadda.

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

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair. I'm always up for some color, so why not go with red? A few funky pinstripes and ruffles just added to the fun. I'm also a huge fan of square necklines...totally more flattering than  traditional round necklines on many (most?) people. 


We celebrated Max's 12th birthday this week. He's been our little prince for almost seven years (his Gotcha Day is coming up, on the 24th). He has so much energy and is such a crazy little dude when he plays with his squeaky toys. I can't imagine life without him.


This memory popped up on my Facebook account this week. I don't have the patent for outdoor selfies after indoor workouts, but this was happening in Iowa this time last year. Actually, it's happening this year as well...I'm just not there to "enjoy" it.


So, that's the latest and greatest. My Florida time is winding down, and I'll be savoring every final minute this next week. 

How did your week play out? Did Momma N throw a few curve balls in your direction, too? Any great workouts that left your body burning in the aftermath? Did you pin on a race bib this weekend?

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40 comments:

  1. What a bummer it got so chilly in FL. I think the coolest it got for us last Feb was 55 on a couple of morning runs, which is actually ideal. Ha! Enjoy your last week in paradise! We have a snow-dump in progress!

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    1. It's been chilly just this past week, but it was warm prior to that at least. But, I'm alright with it because it still beats the Iowa weather, LOL

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  2. Today, I woke up to 4 inches of fresh snow and I'm excited about it! I mean, when in the Midwest, right? Glad you enjoyed your week of temperate weather!

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    1. Enjoy the snow! I'm sure there will be plenty waiting for me when I get back ;-)

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  3. Nicely done this week! Despite having just done a half and the notsogreat weather, you really kept it up. Hopefully it's a little less windy and more pleasant this week.

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    1. Honestly, the wind has been nutzo!!! The cooler temps are manageable, but the wind has been ruthless...

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  4. Haha! Florida weather trying to test this #IowaTough girl but you've clearly got this! Love that you're taking full advantage of being in Florida :-) Momma N is being so kind to us here. Summers are usually awfully hot for us starting from the early morning. But this summer, many days (strangely) start with cloudy skies which makes such a huge difference. Of course, it warms (heats) up during the day but for those couple of hours in the morning it feels really good (especially for runners!)

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    1. Yeah, I was hoping for the weather to be an itsy bit warmer, but at least I haven't had to deal with blizzards or ice ;-)

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  5. you are definitely making the most of your time in Florida. Enjoy your last week down there. Happy birthday to Max

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    1. I'm glad to get outside every day, sometimes several times a day ;-)

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  6. Three weeks into 2022 and you've completed three races! That's an awesome streak.

    This week we had a big storm and got so much snow that even the dog didn't want to go outside. We also had a power outage one morning so it was the first time ever that I couldn't run outside or inside.

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    1. This January has been "ground-breaking" in many ways ;-) I've never done more than one live race this time of year before this.

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  7. Yes, you got to experience some "Florida cold!" You guys got a little chillier than we did down here. The difference is, we like it- give me all the cold before our temperatures are sweltering again! You would probably be happy if it were 80 every day. I think we're going to have a chilly start to the week, but hopefully it will warm up for your last days here. You're obviously not letting the weather stop you, because of course you're IowaTough!

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    1. YES!!! I would love 80-degree temps everyday! But, I probably would miss the change of seasons if those 80-degree temps were my reality.

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  8. Oh no, only one more week in Florida this year? Do you think you'll add a few more weeks onto your stay next year? Have a fun final week - hope the weather warms up a little for you before you leave.

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    1. We're probably going to just do the month of January again...it's just enough time to get away without being "too long." WE have another frost advisory tonight...I didn't know that happened in Florida, LOL

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  9. Another solid week Kim! Congrats on your 5K race. Enjoy your final days in Florida :)

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    1. Thanks! Hard to believe the Florida gig is winding down...

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  10. Thought about you this morning when I slept in but still had to squeeze in a strength workout before my coffee and Zoom church. I really like to wake up with some muscle movement! Florida weather can be all over the place, but you will miss it when you go back home!

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    1. Oh I'm definitely going to miss the sunrise walks and spontaneous evening outings. The lunchtime bike rides have been nice, too!

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  11. Wow, I can't believe your Florida time is almost over; you've made the best of it and I'm glad you've had that burst of decent weather etc.

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    1. The Florida weather, for the most part, has been a nice change of routine for us. Reality is gonna bite us next weekend, LOL.

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  12. Only a week left there? Sigh. Do you have plans for another extended time there before next winter? Those 50 temps are tricky for sure. It's my typical that I overdress for them I think! Great workouts this week and enjoy your upcoming week!

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    1. We already have some renters lined up for the spring. It's doubtful we'll have an opportunity to get back before next winter...

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  13. Yes, you'll be back in IA with the really crazy weather soon enough. :) I've not doubt you'll take it in stride like you do everything else. Although right now, of course, I'd be very happy to see 40s! Still I wouldn't enjoy a FL summer so there's that.

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    1. I'm already kind of dreading returning to the Iowa weather...but I am looking forward to getting back to my regular routine. I have missed the Peloton cycling classes especially.

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  14. I'm so happy for you that you've been able to be in Florida for so long. So odd that you are experiencing real winter like temps down there. Good thing you packed layers!
    Happy birthday to your boy Max!

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    1. Yes, this past week has been very comparable to Spring in Iowa with all the fluctuating temps and wind!

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  15. Too bad it's so cold in Florida right now. The only time I've ever been (January 2010), it was colder in Florida than back in Canada. I was SO bummed. We went to the beach in winter coats. Thankfully it warmed up before we left.
    We went skiing for the first time yesterday and it was -21 Celcius (that's -5.8 F!!). So I've got you beat on the cold temperatures - haha.

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    1. Thankfully, we've had far more warm days than cold ones. It is much colder back in Iowa, so I can't complain too much. I think Iowa's temps have been similar to your weather.

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  16. Happy birthday Max! What a sweetheart. Enjoy your last week in Florida! Hopefully when you return, winter can make its way out in the Midwest :)

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    1. I really hope we've missed the worst of Winter...but it's always a crap shoot. Last year, February was far more cold (and snowy) than January.

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  17. Is wind really ever necessary? I mean unless we're wind mills? Even when I appreciate it cooling down the summer heat, it can be a beast to be active in.
    Kudos on navigating all the weather thrown at you, and so fun to have you in Peloventures.

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    1. It seems like I'm constantly battling the wind! At least a warm wind (like we had up until this past week) is pretty comfortable and not bone-chilling ;-)

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  18. Wow, the weather in Florida was so temperamental this week! You did a good job at navigating everything. Thanks for joining me virtually for the PeloFondo this weekend :)

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    1. Thanks for the heads-up on the PeloFondo! It was a great challenge, and I certainly look forward to doing another (hopefully with a longer distance goal).

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  19. Woman! Did you bring this with you??? I was camping and basically had to stuff my sleeping bag with hand warmers in order not to freeze overnight! What is happening??

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    1. These temps are not very camper-friendly! I didn't know Florida could get frost advisories...we've had those the past few evenings. No snow or blizzards or ice, so I'm fine (well, sort of, LOL).

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  20. Florida in the winter is crazy. Cold one day, warm the next. At leas you are there for a long period of time so you can experience it all and even in the cold, there's no ice and snow.

    I only go there for a few days...some times it's nice and sometimes not. Hopefully I will get lucky this year.

    Congrats on finding a 5k to run. I would have done the same.

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  21. Happy birthday to Max.
    In my opinion windy weather is the worst situation for running (rainstorms apart), but you are an experienced runner and you are able to do good workouts despite it.
    Enjoy your last week in Florida.
    Here it's sunny.

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