Free Falling: How Not To Run In The Winter

It was a snow storm. Post after post that appeared on my Facebook feed on Saturday was about the miles my running friends logged that morning.

"Icy run on the Greenway this morning. Great to see a ton of ... people out doing the same." 

"Very icy run this morning."

" ... I also ran or skated 11 miles. Good run, though."

With each click through, I felt like a tiny piece of my membership card to the Bad Ass Running Club was being ripped off. Piece by piece by piece.

I was scheduled to run Saturday, it was true. I was to meet the girls at 1 p.m. but I had also picked up a morning class, filling in for a friend. The 10:30 a.m. start threw a wrench into the family schedule and it made it difficult to make the meet-up. So I bailed. I was bummed but knew it was the right call for everyone involved.

And so at 3 p.m., I headed out for my run. But after seeing the reports on social media and seeing pictures of someone who slipped on ice between running loops at an area trail, breaking his ankle, the YMCA treadmill seemed like a better option.

The minute I hit "Quick Start" my bad ass card went up in flames.

But from the ashes we rise and on Sunday, I had a chance to redeem myself.

It was 20 degrees. Real feel was in the single digits. The grassy areas of the park were frosty but the path seemed passable. And I was going with Joe, who is the antitheses of a diva runner. I knew that no matter how frightful the conditions, it would be a good run.

We headed southeast and were managing just fine. Always a gentleman, Joe let me take the lead when we needed to go single file around some large patches of ice. The instances of questionable conditions led us to walk sections or take it to the grass. We chatted. We caught up. We had a good time.

By the time we hit the turn around, though, snow began to fall. The once visible sections of ice were now covered, and we no longer knew where to be mindful. We would have to relay on memory and past experiences. In essence, it was a crap shoot – one that had us sliding around and laughing at ourselves.

And that's where it's important to take some precautions to avoid falling flat on your ass.

Wear trail shoes or shoes with good grip/read. Or you can be like me and wear your oldest shoes that are within 50 miles of being retired. Nothing like worn spots to help you glide on the ice.

Avoid areas that have a history of being wet/slick. It might not be fun to run loops or short out-and-backs but safety is worth it. Or, you can do what we did and run what you want – even if the trail is right on the river and a half-mile section regularly floods in the spring/summer. There's nothing like the threat of a fall into an icy river to keep you upright. 

About face. As in watch face. As in don't look at it. When running in snow or ice, pace goes out the winder. You should be grateful for time on your feet and covering a certain distance. Or you can be like me when you get excited to see faster splits and try to keep momentum.

Stride right. Smaller steps and making sure your feet land underneath your hips will help keep you steady. Of course, you can run for pace, overstride and lose balance more than once. Whatevs.

Anyone want to guess what happened? Yep. I fell. Flat on my ass. Quite literally, actually. I had no idea that I was going to fall until I felt the cold ice on my glutes. It was actually better that way. I didn't contort my body to try to stop it from happening nor did I put my hands out to catch me.

As luck would have it, too, I fell with about a half-mile to go. I just had to make it through 5 or so minutes of running on a sore butt before I could go put it on ice.

Again.

What are your tips for winter running?

Hey There, Old Friend {Back on the 'mill}

It takes 21 days to make a habit but, for me, it has taken far less time to fall back into my winter running routine.

Treadmill, treadmill, treadmill during the week and trying to hook up with the group for an outdoor on the weekend.

By my account (aka my Google spreadsheet), I first made the transition to the treadmill on Dec. 30 – right about the time the temperatures here took a turn for the single digits. Since then, I've ran 10 times and been outside three times. THREE. Flip it around, I've ran on the treadmill 70 percent of the time.

I don't mind it. I don't get crazy bored. I don't feel like less of a runner for choosing to go inside. I didn't even consider my "street cred" when the conditions were slick and the wind chills dipped to -30.

The one thing that doesn't give me pause is that when I plan a run, I don't even consider going outside anymore. When I decide to run, I immediately pack my stuff in my Apera gym bag. I think of what my mileage goal will be and what kind of workout I will do – though I do use the term workout loosely. I think of paces in mph and settings, not time.

It's like I've forgotten how to run outside.

But I know it will change. Experience tells me it will. Come spring, likely after the baby is born, I will think of trails and routes when I plan. I will factor in temperature and rain. I will get excited when the lilacs bloom and even driving by, I will picture myself running alongside them, the sweet fragrance filling my lungs.

And, the thought of the treadmill will once again make me nauseous.

Note: I will have a sponsored-type post up later. Feel free to skip it.

Organize Winter Workout Wardrobe in Three Steps

Fall can be a challenging time to run outdoors. One day, the weather can be shorts-and-tank appropriate and the next it is full tights, jacket and gloves.

In the past week, I have worn both ensembles and everything in between. There has been humid, thick air and frosty foot bridges. There has been unbearable winds and cloudy skies. There have been puddles and rain, snow and ice. 

As I still had a drawer stuffed with shorts and another full of sleeveless tops, I had to do some digging in my storage bins in the basement to find the appropriate gear this weekend. And, let me tell you, there's nothing fun about needing to leave in 10 minutes and you still can't find your favorite pair of tights or — maybe worse — you discover your beloved beanie wasn't washed before being stored and now stinks.

This week, I made it my goal to get my dresser where I store exercise wear organized so that I'm ready to run in whatever this season and the next brings. Instead of putting away laundry, I sorted out what I wouldn't need and made room for what I did.

Here are some things to consider:

The where and what

Do you run outside? Or do you prefer the treadmill? Do you hit the gym or work out at home?

I do my best to run outside through the winter though I do have some caveats: no ice and I'd like the temperature to be at least 10 degrees. To stay comfortable, I need tights and long sleeves — not bootie shorts and tanks. I do workout in the gym a couple days a week but prefer capris and usually pair them with a tank. 

With that in mind, I packed nearly every pair of shorts and all but several of my favorite tanks. I did keep my padded bike shorts upstairs as I'm hoping Mark will set up my bike on the trainer and I can get in some good rides this winter.

It's also prudent to check sources such as the Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service for long-term forecasts. There doesn't seem to be a consensus for my area but if it's going to be unseasonably cold, you might hit the treadmill more and need gym clothes. If it's going to be unseasonably warm, maybe you'll skate by in capris and want more layering options.

Frequency

What does your winter workout schedule look like? Will you go heavy on the cross training and run outside three days? Will you go to the gym six days a week and stay warm?

I anticipate and/or hope that I will continue running outside four days, which will require at least two pairs of tights and four long-sleeve tops. I will also need to keep out a couple beanies (remember, they get stinky, too!) and a pair of gloves or two. My current teaching schedule is three days a week, and I will need two to three pairs of capris and a couple tanks.

Also keep in mind how much you do laundry. I swear I do a load every day but we are forever behind. Pants and capris can be aired out and worn twice but it's good to have a few extra shirts to rotate.

Likability

How much do you wear that shirt? Are you going to wear it more than this shirt? And, really, is that one down to your knees?

With the popularity of tech tees as race swag, any one who regularly participates in events has a storage bin full of workout wear. I get a bit sentimental when looking at race shirts and want the option of wearing it if I'm feeling a certain way on a certain day. However, I know that I don't really like short-sleeve shirts and I especially don't like them in the winter. Save for the best shirts, most of those were able to go into storage. 

As for other shirts, I took into consideration if I still liked the style or color and if the fit was good. I have shirts that I like but are too short (strange as I'm 5-foot-3) and there's a few compression shirts from C9 that offer too much compression — STORAGE. I did keep out some unisex race shirts that are not so fashionable but are likely to accommodate the growing belly.

The whole process took about a half-hour, and I am pleased that my once overly stuffed drawers now open and close with ease. 

State of Kim vs. Polar Vortex

Case No.  666-fu-4815162342-gowy       Doc. 1       Filed: 1/26/2014
A091 Rev 01/14       Criminal Case

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES RUNNERS COURT

for the District of Northeast Indiana

State of Kim

     vs

Polar Vortex

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my belief and knowledge. On or about the date(s) of January 5, 2014, through January 26, 2014, in the region of the Midwest, including the District of Northeast Indiana, the defendant violated:

Code Section                       Offense Description
15:31                                   Conspiracy
18:235                                 Hate crimes
18:2                                     Aiding and abetting hate crime acts
1:1                                       Preventing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

The criminal complaint is based on these facts:

• Long run paces that are 45 seconds per mile slower than in more temperate conditions
• Two near disastrous incidents of a stuck vehicle on way or leaving long run meeting spot on Sunday, January 5, 2014, and Sunday, January 26, 2014
• Forced conversations with half-naked women upwards of 70 years old in the YMCA locker room when conditions required runner to log miles on the treadmill
• Running partners being forced to wipe off ice crystals from a not-recently-waxed upper lip
• Canceled trip to visit fellow mother runner for a run and baby cuddles and the resulting sadness on Saturday, January 25, 2014
• No fewer than 325 utterances of the word "shit" during an hourlong run on Sunday, January 26, 2014
• 7.5 miles were logged when a mother runner should have been visiting her grandma but the trip was canceled because of hazardous road conditions
• No fewer than three layers can be worn without risk of hypothermia and general discomfort
• More than 2 training miles forfeited due to worsening conditions and waning motivation on Sunday, January 26, 2014
• The impending forecast that shows no sign of relief in regards to snow or temperature

The State of Kim calls for the Polar Vortex to be incarcerated in solitary confinement for upwards of 1,212,395 years and pay fines of no less than $2,616.95 to cover the cost of a new treadmill, Saucony jacket and YakTrax. Damages may be sought for time and sanity lost on the trails and miles forced to be ran on the YMCA treadmill.

Three Things Thursday: Rules for winter running

Three runs this week and all three have been indoors.

And you know what I have to say about that? Eff you, Mother Nature.

After my bold proclamation that I was rocking the cold weather runs, the temperatures took a nose dive, the winds picked up and the ice settled on the roads. Today, for example, it was zero degrees with a -20 wind chill. Not only did the idea of layering up seem unappealing, the potential of danger lurked just outside the threshold of my front door. Seriously - I've rolled my ankle on phantom branches this fall, I can't imagine putting sole to physical ice.

And so I've stripped down, turned on the treadmill and gone. I went to the Y, walked up steps and did the hamster wheel of a track where 14 laps equals a mile. And then I decided trotting in place was far less daunting than running in tiny circles and trying to count at the same time.

In the 12 miles I've logged, I have felt sort of embarrassed - as if my inner pansy surfaced and laughed in my face. She's a mean bitch, that pansy.

So I decided to shut her up with some firm rules for running this winter, as they seem to change year-to-year. Actually, let's call them commandments as they sound a bit more likely to but her in her place.

1. Thou shalt not run outside if it is in the single digits. It's really great to run in zero degrees so that you can brag about how hard core you are to your Facebook friends that you ran in zero degrees. However, I don't run to brag about it (most of the time) and my FB friends couldn't give two shoots. Yes, shoots. So if it is 9 degrees, my ego is just fine to log 5 miles on the treadmill while I watch "Alaska: The Last Frontier."

How do you like that for irony?

2. Thou shalt not run outside if the wind is blowing at more than 20 mph. I hate running in the wind. It's stupid and makes runs harder. Running in the winter, especially sub-freezing temperatures, has its own sets of challenges and I'm not going to allow it to get more difficult than need be. Plus, it's no fun to wipe blowing snot from your ear canal.

3. Thou shalt not run outside if there is ice or more than 4 inches of snow on the ground. We run so we can keep running. Duh. Running on ice puts that at serious jeopardy. As far as the snow? I'm short, and 4 inches is probably mid-calf. At that point, I might as well pull out the step bench and follow a Jane Fonda VHS.

What are your rules for winter running?

Note: I understand that I am privileged to have a hand-me-down treadmill to the basement and a discount Y membership for teaching there. It's a luxury not everyone has. 

En plein air

It's no secret that I'm fond of my daycare provider. She makes healthy, fresh-from-the-garden meals; she makes it a priority to teach them good manners; and Miles, at 19 months, already sings "A, B, C, D" and counts to three.

But this morning, I became her biggest fan.

She didn't bat an eyelash or give a sideways look when I dropped off Miles 20 minutes early in full winter running attire. She didn't offer any snarky remarks when I mentioned that I was going to soak up the day's rays on a quick run before work. In fact, she was probably supportive or encouraging as she always comments about how good the example is that I'm setting for Miles.

I'm not going to argue her on that one.

The air was mild (relatively speaking) at 27 degrees, the wind was non-existent and the sun was bright when I arrived at the park. I had briefly considered running downtown from work but knew the park would be clear of yesterday's snow. And even though the park is a frequent haunt, my miles in the basement made the familiar sites welcome.

I set off along the path with two goals in mind: take it easy and enjoy. I didn't want to look at my watch, fretting about pace, nor did I want to squander such a rare chance to run outdoors. Though my runs en plein air were much appreciated last week, my pace wasn't where I wanted and I realized/feared that I had squandered some fitness by spending too much time on the revolving belt.

The first mile or so was a bit lethargic and I had to force myself to look around but as I made my way toward the back end of the park, I began to settle in. My footsteps got lighter. My breathing was steady. My eyes narrowed as the brilliant light reflected off the bright white snow. I pushed my shoulders down and back.

I stopped for a moment around mile two to snap some photos but otherwise kept my feet moving, faster and faster as the miles ticked away. I finished the run just shy of five miles, happy and committed to getting outdoors more frequently. Even if it means sacrificing 20 minutes with Miles a morning or two a week.

Had it not been for one small lapse, the morning would have been an epic success. And by lapse, I mean that I forgot my shoes.

I had taken my gym bag to work, with clean, professional-ish clothes so that I could avoid stopping at home between the run and work. I had a Handful tank that served a dual purpose: bra and base layer; a racerback blouse; blue cardigan; and denim trousers. I even remembered a black belt though, sadly, the pants don't seem to require it these days. A pair of professional shoes - or even the boots that have become uniform these days - were still in my closet ... and in the living room ... and, shit, kitchen. I never, ever wear my running shoes outside of running but thankfully I have an old pair that I keep at my desk in the event I take a lunchtime walk.

I'm pretty sure the hot pink sneakers make the look.

BOB, BOB, BOB around

I sat in the examining room, peppering the doctor with questions. I, of course, wanted to know what I could do to help Miles, how to best administer his breathing treatments and what exactly to look for if his oxygen levels (again) dipped dangerously low.

But I had an agenda.

What I really wanted to know was whether Miles' illness and the seeming quick escalation was my fault. I wanted to know whether I had done something wrong by taking him for runs on these chilly mornings, our breath visible in the thin air.

She looked at me, with the reassuring look she always has, and said no. It was not my fault; Miles has a virus, and it is the cause of his bronchiolitis and ear infections. If I wanted some advice on cold weather running, she did have some.

Use common sense.

Common sense winter stroller running tips

Feel the burn. Our doctor's primary indicator for whether it was OK to run wasn't a temperature rule as I've been adhering to. She said if the cold air burns as you breathe, it doesn't feel good for the little one to breathe, either. It's best to stay indoors.

Cover up. If you need a hat, the kid needs a hat. If you have gloves, so does the child. Of course, it's easier said than done. We've lost a hat on the trail, and Miles loves to kick off his boots. I've found that we can do a hat if we cover it with the hood. Mittens work but so do socks. Even better socks over mittens.


Get into gear. Buy the weathershield to help with wind resistance. It will also keep kicked off boots from flying off into the middle of the street.


Safety first. Wear the strap, put on lights, run against traffic or on well-lit trails. I put Road ID lights on my hat and waist band, as well as one on the canopy of the stroller. I also plan to pick up some reflectors for the wheels. Winter means less daylight and, when on a tight schedule, it can be difficult to do the whole run in broad daylight.

Take it slow. I know I'm not going to break land speed records with a dog and baby in tow ... most of the time. Instead of focusing on speed or taking out the BOB for repeats, I use it for steady-state or long runs and focus on form, breathing and pacing. A slower pace is especially important as wet leaves or a bit of snow could cause slippery conditions. And seriously, pushing the stroller already counts as resistance - especially if there's any semblance of a hill or wind.

Inflate your ego. Just like a car, the stroller's tires need to be inflated properly. Or so Mark tells me. It's important in cold weather especially and properly inflated tires will make sure you go over any slick spots safely.


Create a soundtrack. On the occasion that Miles has been grumpy, I will turn on music on my iPhone - whether it's Pandora's Toddler station, Elmo CDs that I've downloaded to iTunes or the latest music from BODYPUMP that I'm trying to ingrain in my memory. And there was that morning, at 7 a.m., when we were looping the neighborhood as Christina's Aguilera's "Dirrty" blared. Oops. On the worst days, I've sang my own version of "Wheels on the Bus" - "Wheels on the Stroller."

OK. That last one is not really winter - I guess I just wanted to confess my inappropriate running tunes. I'm so a shoe-in for Mother of the Year.

Any mother runners have some tips for me?

What I wore: Winter running

I woke up this morning to discover two things: Barack Obama is still our president and it was 36 degrees outside.

And while I have nothing to say (good or bad) about one of those facts, the other was a pleasant surprise for me. Thirty-six degrees meant that I could go for a run.

While I will run until its 9 degrees out, I decided that there is no running with Miles in the BOB if it is less than 30 degrees or until we get the weather shield for the stroller. He has seemed to be comfortable in the 40-degree range, his skin still warm and no audible complaints, that the new range seemed doable.

Initially, I was uncertain whether I'd run today or tomorrow but after seeing the temperature (and hearing some familiar fussing), I knew it was game on. I threw on some possibly stinky tights that I had in the living room and headed upstairs to finish dressing as Miles and Mark ate breakfast. I opened up my dresser drawer that holds my running tops. And stared. And stared. And stared.

I had no idea what to wear. At all.

I don't seem to have any difficulty dressing for very cold weather or when the mercury hits 55 but when the air is in that in between stage, I feel like a teenager getting dressed for high school. Or what I think a teenager getting dressed feels like - I had to wear a uniform. A long-sleeve shirt plus half-zip might be OK or it could be too hot. Just a long-sleeve shirt isn't enough and it's chafe-city to just wear the half-zip. There's the ever cute long-sleeve + short-sleeve combo but it's hit-or-miss warmth wise.

After what felt like a half-hour, I decided on an outfit - one that seemed to work out quite well for a sunrise, 36-degree run.

I started with a long-sleeve compression shirt (C9 from Target) and topped it with a highly visible race shirt. To keep me warm during the start of the run, I added wool arm warmers (Smart Wool brand, race swag) and a pair of cheap-o gloves. It's questionable whether it's tights weather but I wore mine (Pearl Izumi) and think it was the right choice. I also wore a fleece hat.

The outfit was warm enough at the beginning and I ended up rolling down the warmers after two miles. Had it not been so windy and a bit sunnier, I'm certain the gloves would have come off. Literally, of course.

Miles is a bit easier to dress when it comes to a winter run. I just layer, layer, layer.

This morning, we started out with rocket ship pajamas (Carters, Target). I then put on a long-sleeve shirt, corduroy pants and socks. His new favorite - light-up Spider-Man boots - are also part of his running uniform. They are fleece-lined, giving his feet a bit of warmth (when he doesn't kick them off) and the waterproof outer material shields the wind. Before we head out the door, he gets a coat, gloves and a blanket. I'd love to say he gets a hat but the shark number from Children's Place was left to flounder on the side of the trail earlier this fall, and I learned that hoods are the best bet.


All the preparation in the world, though, couldn't save my run this morning. My legs were lead, the stroller felt like it was moving through quick sand and I couldn't even muster the energy to run 0.12 mile more to hit a nice even 4. But 3.88 is better than none, especially since we looked so good doing it.

Obviously.

What's your go-to winter running outfit.

Friday love

Workout: 3.0-mile run

Remember last week … last week, when I wore shorts on my run?

Yeah. So do I.

I just wish Mother Nature did.

This morning, it was full-on winter gear with early-morning temps in the lower 20s – tights, long-sleeve shirt, jacket, vest, hat and gloves. Though, truth be told, I could have done without the vest and hat. I was hot by the half-way point.

Regardless, it didn’t make me happy.

 

But seeing as my other option was “power walking,” as Mark so kindly reminded me, I sucked it up and went on my way. Or our way since Denali was my companion.

And, in case you were wondering, yes. Yes it is possible for me to take an even more unattractive photo than the one above. I promise.

Anywho … time for Friday love!

Food. Mark has discovered the joys of a daily dose of caffeine in the morning and has made a small pot of coffee every morning this week. He takes a cup in a travel mug to school and leaves the rest for me. No baby worries - it’s half-caff, so it’s cool. Let me tell you this: I am loving the fact that it’s one less thing I have to do for myself. Yay morning laziness!

Fitness. Yesterday, I finally picked up my weights after a near two-week hiatus. I did circuits, I think. I did an exercise that focuses on a specific muscle for one minute and then switched to another exercise, focusing on a different muscle, for a minute. I did four muscle groups – so 4 minutes – and then took a 1-minute break (repeat 3 times). The muscles were biceps, shoulders, triceps and back. Let me tell you that those 12 minutes of work translated into some serious soreness this morning. Yay for muscles!

Life. After my manic excitement about the house last week, Mark and I were taken down a notch (or three) after the inspection. There are some definite issues that we had to take to the sellers but they are getting estimates – and that’s good our Realtor says. So how is this love worthy? I’m not sure but I am glad that the home inspector caught the things he did; I am glad that we have an A+ Realtor to guide us through the process; and I’m glad that I’m not losing hope. So keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer or just have hope that this works out. Baby boy needs a room!

So what’s going on this weekend? We’re going to a luau (of all things in this miserable weather) and I’m taking Coconut Cornbread Bread Pudding!

Put a stick in me, we’re done

The morning, in pictures.

30 minutes of my favorite winter cardio: shoveling 4 inches of snow. (I also did 20 minutes of “Joy of Yoga” until it got to the lie on your belly part and then I did five sun salutations.)

Denali found a giant branch in the yard and chewed at it with manic determination.

He also dug a hole with furious determination because he is so over winter … and he likes to eat bugs.

It was such a bummer that this was how we spent the morning but at least the snow should keep me occupied until I can get to the library and pick up the two prenatal yoga videos I have on hold. AND, in sort of related news, I saw on Facebook that my yoga studio is doing a 6-week prenatal workshop. I am not sure if I am going to do it yet. What do you think?

Three Things Thursday

"Bless your heart. You look SO cold."

Thanks, lady in the hallway at the campus student center for the blessing. I always like and appreciate nice people.

And, yes, I am cold. It's -11 outside and I have sweat pouring down my face from a mediocre 3-mile run on the treadmill. I bet my eyelashes are going to freeze, and I'm going to have to pry open my eyelids so I can drive home.

I love winter. I love winter. I love winter.

NO. I. DON'T.

1. This morning, I woke up and got dressed for my run. I made myself get dressed so that when I saw the temperature I wouldn't talk myself out of going to the campus fitness center for a run. So in my RnR Chicago shirt, which fits much better now that I've got an extra 12 pounds in the middle, and capris, I ate my oatmeal and drank a cup of coffee. I was going to run.

2. And then I turned on the TV. The local news ticker said it was -11 outside. I couldn't go out in -11. I couldn't. It would be wrong. I told Mark who, at that time, was on a 2-hour delay that I was staying home. I would work out at home. Jackie Warner - You. Me. Sweat session.

3. But as I ate my oatmeal, I knew that by punking out, I would disappoint myself. I made myself - and you - a promise to run this week. And by gosh, I was going to go. So I threw on my coat, grabbed a scarf and left. And, surprisingly, I didn't freeze upon contact with the frigid air and I was still able to run. It was a slow 3 miles on the treadmill but it was 3 miles more than I had planned just 20 minutes before. Go me!

Would you stay inside if it was -11 outside?

Lazy McGee

Workout: 2.2-mile walk with Denali

I feel like a sloth. A congested, hard of hearing sloth.

The facts:

I have Mark's cold from last week and spent much of yesterday on the couch. I got up to eat and go to the bathroom and go to the bathroom and eat.

My head is congested, my nose is runny and my ears are clogged.

The thought of leaving my bed, much less the house, to do anything makes me groan.

I have not run once in February. (In my defense, there are 15 inches of snow on the ground and not all paths are clear.)

I have not had a real cardio workout either.

I know I have to change these things.

But our forecast this week is not making this appealing.

Even if I pay to use the college fitness center, I still have to go outside in below zero temperatures.

But I am going to. I am making a commitment to myself - and you.

I will go to yoga tomorrow and Thursday.

I will run Thursday and Friday.

I will try to squeeze in some miles Sunday before yoga.

I will. I will. I will.

I will because I don't like me, me how I feel as a sloth.

Please tell me I'm not alone in my winter blues.

Cool front

Please don’t hate on my coolness.

Yesterday – Saturday – I got to wake up at 6:30 a.m. so I could judge the spelling bee. What can I say … I have an inability to say no when asked by my boss and I am easily bribed by the words “free,” “doughnuts” and “lunch,” especially if they are all in the same sentence.

And, yes, I ate a doughnut. Two, actually. It seems I also have the inability to say no to jelly goodness from the Dunkin’ gods. Thank goodness, I can still say no to hamburgers and fries and still pick soup and salad at restaurants. Life’s all about balance. Right? right!

Adding to the weekend fun was more snow – 4 or so inches this time – and 1+hours of shoveling between Saturday and Sunday; the cold that my husband was so generous as to give me; and more house hunting.

Anyone care for a house with carpet on the front porch and in the kitchen?

How about a house with an updated kitchen and the teeniest sink on the planet?

Or the foreclosed house in an awesome neighborhood that has no appliances and a wet bar in the living room?

Next week, we’re looking at four of our faves – and bringing Mark’s parents. Should be a rockin’ good time.

 

I was foiled!

Pre-workout eats: Instant Apple Chai Oats
Workout: Jackie Warner OnDemand selection

I thought I was being so clever. Knowing that snowmaggedon was upon us, I took the chance to sign up for a free 7-day pass to Anytime Fitness so I could steal their treadmills try out the gym. This week, of all weeks, was the one to pick.


Hello, low of 1 degree on Thursday! I could totally fall in love with the treadmill on that day.

Well, I could. You see, the director called me after I signed up online to give me the 411 and it was this: Even though the gym is open all day, every day, temporary members can only come when it's staffed. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Anyone, anyone want to guess my work hours? Yep, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. So much for "trying out" the treadmills.

So this morning, with our "2 inches" of snow (it was more like 3), I decided to stay in with Jackie Warner. I squatted, lunged, dipped, pumped some iron. It felt good.

And then I shoveled snow for, like, forever. Even with Mark's help (schools closed), it took us 30 minutes to clear our part of the drive. (Our upstairs neighbor can do her side, for reals.) It didn't feel good. At least I burned a good 200 calories - the equivalent of a 2-mile run.

More snow is expected today but I forget what the meteorologist said. Too many numbers make my head hurt.

Are you snowed in? What's your favorite thing to do in the snow?

It's hot inside

Storm the supermarket. Pillage the shelves. For God's sake, hide the women and children.

Snowmaggedon is upon us!

Or not. At least not yet.

The meteorologists are predicting 1 to 3 inches of snow tonight, more tomorrow and maybe a foot by Wednesday. While this storm is nothing compared to what the northeast has seen, it's sending everyone in a tizzy. Seriously, my boss is surveying the office to see who has 4WD vehicles so we can caravan to work (we don't have the option of staying home).

I said I had a 4LD - four-leg drive, as in Denali could pull me to work. After all, he knows the commands "right," "left," "stop" and "let's go"!

But, my friends, I don't think I'll have to board the Denali express. We never seem to get the worst of it (thank God) and I'm not the least bit worried about the snow. I am worried about the frigid temperatures and how nasty this will make my runs. I'm almost contemplating a running sabbatical for the week and spending some time with Jackie Warner. Then again, we could get a dusting and all this hub-bub would be for naught.

Do you plan alternate workouts in light of the weather?

10 things I hate about ... well, not you

Workout: 75-minute Deep Stretch Flow yoga class and (planned) long walk with Denali

It's OK , you can call me "Kranky Kimberly" this weekend. "Krazy Kimberly" would work, too.

1. I hate this weather. Another 8-degree morning, another run postponed.
2. I hate people who do not shovel their sidewalks and make my runs more difficult - when I actually get out there.
3. I hate driving next to semis. It freaks me the fig out.
4. And speaking of driving, I also hate driving behind motorcycles.
5. I hate boring weekends. Relaxing weekends, all good. Boring weekends, bad.
6. I hate that the highlight of my weekend thus far was going to Target yesterday and buying hard-surface placemats on clearance.
7. I hate that no matter how high we set the thermostat, it always seems to be 62 degrees in our place.
8. I hate that Denali got up at 5 a.m. this morning for breakfast and potty trip as it was my turn to take care of him. Yesterday, on Mark's day, he waited until 6 a.m.
9. I hate too-picky people on "House Hunters" who complain about room colors and a 3,000-square-foot home being too small.
10. I hate that my lunch is not ready yet. Mark should have had it waiting for me, on the table, when I returned from yoga. He knows yoga, strangely, always makes me hungry.

In other, more positive things, my arms are burning from a million chaturangas in this morning's yoga class. The instructor always manages to kick my butt and make me feel better by the end of class.

Hope you're having a great weekend! Anyone planning to watch the Golden Globes tonight?

4 degrees of separation

Fig no.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I didn’t run yesterday, fig no. Even though this means just two runs for the week, fig no. Even if I feel slightly guilty about it, fig no.

Cancel my membership to the inspiration club. I made a rule – a 10-degree rule – and I’m sticking to it.