I don’t care show pretty the fluffy snowflakes look as they fall, ever so delicately, to the ground. I’ve seen far too many of them already. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the first official day of winter on December 21st?
Newsflash: The calendar says we’re not there yet, LOL! I heard, mid-week, that Des Moines had already received over 12 inches of snow, which is what we would typically have by mid-January. Then we got another 2-3 inches Thursday evening and 5-6 inches Saturday…
Before I dis on the deets from the crazy-winter-weather week, 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 blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)
Anyways, here’s what went down
Another snow-laden Sunday
Thankfully, Saturday’s 4-ish inches of snow was the light and fluffy kind (thus, easy to shovel and push-off the driveway), but the temps were cold and windy in the early hours. Also, the snowplow graciously left a hefty heap of snow at the base of my driveway. I decided to wait for daylight (and sunlight!) to work my shoveling magic, so it was to the spin bike I went (15 miles) and streamed church (again).
Never miss a Monday
My early morning energy was a bit bleak (yeah, it does happen on occasion), so I kept things low-impact. I rode eight miles for a quick cardio fix, then found a Barre workout (via Peloton) which incorporated some glute, mobility and balance work.
Takin’ it easy Tuesday
With post-workday dinner plans, the early morning was my best option for any outdoor fitness. I layered-up and did a quick 1-mile walk, then hit the elliptical for 20 minutes (approximately three “miles”). Also, I walked a couple of lunchtime miles through the skywalk. Though some of the skywalk passages are cold, at last there isn’t any wind, snow or ice to navigate. Glass half full.
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More Winter Weather on Wednesday
After all the cold temps and snow, Tuesday afternoon and evening saw temps in the mid-40F’s. Though those temps felt (almost) tropical, and it was wonderful to have most of the snow melted and gone by evening, the overnight temps posed the threat of the roads freezing from all the moisture. Also, there was a nasty wind advisory with 50mph wind gusts (yeah, blizzard-like conditions, without falling snow). Hence, the 4:45AM running group was a no-go (again). Instead, I hit the bike for five miles, and stacked a couple of Peloton upper-body workouts. The skywalk was especially chilly, but I managed the usual 2-mile lunchtime walk nonetheless. Brrr.
My evening plans changed, freeing me up to take another run in the new shoes. Wow, this was the first run, in a long time, where I didn’t have any weird tightness or discomforts (other than the 12mph wind freezing my face). A bonus? The roads were clear of all snow and ice!
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Thankful (to be inside) Thursday
I was up and moving early for the weekly cardio-hour-of-power with Deb, so I opted to do a quick 1-mile walk before saddling-up on the bike. After hitting the 20-mile mark, we parted virtual ways.
Next on the roster was a little bit of lower-body strength work. Although I’m not feeling much discomfort with the hip/TFL thing (finally!), there still is some obvious tightness. This workout’s squats felt good, but the reverse lunges were a different story. No worries, as I have several months of “off-season” conditioning to work on strengthening those parts that need some rally-back attention.
Snow, snow, and more snow. To say we’ve been dumped-on would be a drastic understatement. I think we all know Winter is my fourth favorite season, and the past two weeks have validated my rational.
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| Collage courtesy of Deb |
Next on the roster was a little bit of lower-body strength work. Although I’m not feeling much discomfort with the hip/TFL thing (finally!), there still is some obvious tightness. This workout’s squats felt good, but the reverse lunges were a different story. No worries, as I have several months of “off-season” conditioning to work on strengthening those parts that need some rally-back attention.
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Early Morning Friday Fitness
With my company’s holiday party happening at work, I knew my best option for any outdoor activity would be in the wee hours. I headed out for a walk…only to remember my driveway needed shoveling (again), so I did a very fast lap around the block (about 1/2-mile), and grabbed the shovel as soon as I got back home. Thankfully, the snow was the light and fluffy kind, so it only took about 10 minutes, giving me time to hit the elliptical for 3-ish miles (20 minutes)before getting ready for work.
Another Snowy Saturday…
The forecast was showing another winter storm watch in effect from Friday night through Saturday afternoon…and it was spot-on. There was probably 3–4 inches on the ground upon wake-up, but I wanted to try to get a few miles of running done. Well, it was like running in quick sand, so after two miles, I called it good. It was a near whiteout! By the time I got back home, I couldn’t even see my footprints in the driveway from 22 minutes prior. UGH! So, after de-layering, I hopped on the bike for 20 miles (and cleared the driveway afterwards).
…and what’s happening on Sunday?
The temps are looking brutal (sub-zero, with -21F feels-like temps in the early hours), so I’ll be summoning the indoor options yet gain. There are sunny skies forecasted for the afternoon, so I’m postponing any and all outdoor activity until then. Ugh, I truly want my summer back!
So, this week was interesting! The crazy Midwest weathered definitely kept us guessing, and really had me longing for those hot summer days, LOL. Running was meek, with only seven miles to show for my efforts (I’d planned on a Saturday morning 10K, but the heavy snow changed those plans). Walking only had 13 miles this week. Biking was decent, with 68 miles logged. Strength-training was on-point…upper-body continues to show progress (and feels SO GOOD), but the lower-body regimen will be getting more attention in the weeks to come (to rehab the hip/TFL region and keep the legs and glutes in working order).
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog this week:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. ‘Tis the season for festive red and green, at least in my world. The majority of co-workers were dressed in holiday attire (lots of sparkles, glitz, and many ugly Christmas sweaters…and not just the women!).
Snow, snow, and more snow. To say we’ve been dumped-on would be a drastic understatement. I think we all know Winter is my fourth favorite season, and the past two weeks have validated my rational.
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Finally, Garmin was gracious with the badges this week. As I’ve said before, these badges aren’t a necessary requirement to keep me motivated, but they make for a fun incentive on occasion.
Well, there you have it. Another week of fitness and fun, despite the crazy weather conditions. There’s never a dull moment!
How are things in your world? Did any of the crazy winter weather hit your area? How’s your fitness going through the busy holiday season? Any holiday-themed races happening?
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