How About a Chai Chat

Here we are again!

It's that time of year when I'm downing the hot chai lattes several times on the daily. It's also that time of the month for gathering and chatting (virtually) over chai, coffee or any beverage of one's choosing. 

If you have your mug in hand, let's get this chatter party started...

Freeze Frame

Holy Frigid Freeze, Batman!

While we able to avoid extreme weather in January, that has not been the case in February. We've had near-record snow fall and have not seen above-freezing temps in awhile. Truth be told, this past week saw only one day without any new snow and our town is running out of places to stash it. 

But, it's not all bad! We still have had some glorious sunshine, and I've been able to stay just as active by opting indoors. My glass (coffee mug?) has remained more than half full...

Kinda Outta Kilter

It was one of those "outta kilter" weeks.

Isn't it crazy how when things get tough, they multiply (and/or just keep getting tougher)? Fortunately, tough times makes us tougher. Once the battle is over, we're much stronger for the fight...but it can seem pretty ominous at the time. 

Such was a peek into my life this past week.

No. Gym. Required.

Stuck at home? Quarantined? No gym?

In light of the recent COVID-19 precautions, many are opting to stay home. Working-out at home, whether by force or by choice, has its benefits. And, it is possible to get a great sweat going without leaving your house.

Okay Momma N...GAME ON!!!

Momma N seems to love playing games.

I try to keep an open mind to her antics, but I'm not always amused. I have learned, often times, it's best to call her bluff and beat her at her own game. Such was the case this week.

Yes, it's Winter in Iowa. It happens every year, right? It snows, the wind blows, the temps dive well under the sub-freezing range. And we all survive. If we're lucky, we all can find some humor in the discomfort...

The Treadmill - Five Recent Reality Revelations

The treadmill.

That indoor apparatus that allows one to walk or run when the great outdoors aren't so great.

How do you feel about the treadmill? Do you love it? Hate it? Love to hate it (or vice-versa)?

Stuck inside? A few non-running fitness options to consider

The temps have been chilly (polar vortex chilly for some of us).

Being stuck inside can be a tough setting for some runners. Granted, rest/recovery days are warranted, but what if you're stuck inside for several days at a time?  Not every runner has an in-house treadmill or access to an indoor track, after all. Many don't have the space for a home gym either.

Have you ever been at a loss for indoor fitness options? Ever wanted to do something "active" that didn't involve the actual act of running, but would benefit your running none the less? 

Here are a few suggestions for indoor fitness when running isn't an option. Most of these don't even require the expense of equipment, nor do they demand a lot of space. 

Victory over the Vortex

Ahhhh, the sweet taste of Victory!

The polar vortex of 2019 has come and gone, and I'm feeling ever-so-victorious. I've lived in the Midwest all of my life, so cold winters have always been part of my reality. That said, the extreme temps (-25F, with a feels-like of -50F) of late are not an everyday norm during the winter season. 

Being forced to stay inside is not desirable, but it's also not the end of the world (at least as I know it). Thankfully, a severe cold spell such as this is a great time to reflect on the big picture (geesh, I've been saying that a lot lately LOL). It's an opportunity to be grateful for having a warm inside place to hibernate as one awaits for the more desirable weather conditions to return.

Take that, Winter!

Take that, Winter!

I may not be a fan of the sub-ZERO temps (and snow, ice and wind) you've been throwing my way, but I refuse to be all gloom and doom about it. After all, I believe if I can find humor and gratitude in my circumstances, there will always be something to make me smile.

None the less, Let me Runfess...

How is it possible we are approaching the second month of 2019... already???

Winter has been here (according to the calendar) for 35ish days, but we didn't feel the full blast of it until recently. Holy Frozen Buttocks, Batman! The temps plummeted, the wind picked up and the snow arrived (and stayed).

Despite the frigid cold, we have had a fair amount of sunshine, though. My (running) off-season has been going well. Knock wood, I've stayed healthy. The family is doing well. Life has been pretty decent. None the less, there are a few things to Runfess....