Monday, December 17 – just a nice, easy run with Nick tonight down Summit to the cathedral and back home down Selby. The sidewalks are still a little sketchy, so you really have to pay attention to where you’re stepping so you don’t slip.
Run: 3.45 miles, 31:18.
After our run, Nick and I headed to Ngon for birthday pho. When we walked in, I saw friend Sam and thought he was there with his friends. Turns out, he was there with MY friends. Best birthday surprise ever 🙂 I’m a lucky girl with an amazing boyfriend and pretty incredible friends!
Tuesday, December 18 – I woke up to this today…
…and, ended the day with this flourless chocolate cake at Oceanaire… happy 33 to me!
Wednesday, December 19 – I was up bright and early today for a 7a flight to Chicago. My first work trip at my new job will be a memorable one: 15 miles from Midway on I-94E, I got a flat tire and waited for nearly two hours for Avis to bring me a new car (not impressed, Avis). There are crazy ass drivers in Chicago who do not move over for vehicles on the side of the road. Needless to say, I sat in the passenger’s seat while I waited.
Thursday, December 20 – after a couple long days of travel and work, I was so excited to run Saint Paul stairs with Performance Power after work. Well, P2 didn’t happen – no one showed up – so instead Nick and I got in a solid five miles. We started at the cathedral and ran down Kellogg, including up the hill to Mounds Boulevard, and back through downtown Saint Paul. Other than a chilly wind and aching big toe, the run felt refreshing!
Run: five miles, about 50 minutes.
Friday, December 21 – I had a tough time quieting my mind at C2 vinyasa tonight. It kept bouncing back and forth between last week’s tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School – class was dedicated to #26ActsOfKindess – all the Christmas shopping I haven’t done and my aching toe. Between one legged down dog and crescent lunge, I modified a lot to keep pressure off my right toe. I also had a tough time in pigeon tonight, but teacher Kate gave us a gentle reminder: Yoga happens the moment you want to leave a pose. As few minutes after, savasanaaaaaaah… and, I was out.
Yoga: vinyasa, 60 minutes.
Saturday, December 22 – on our drive to Hallock, we had every intention of stopping at Andes Tower Hills for an hour skate ski, but by the time we got to Alexandria, it was nearly dark.
On the upside, the five and a half hour drive flew by, and we were greeted by my favorite weim when we got home. Hard to believe, but she’ll be 12 on Friday!
And, after accidentally seeing a pic on my mom’s phone, she let me open a Christmas gift a few days early… a hand-quilted quilt, ten years in the making! I sewed the top in the quilting days of my early 20s and then she started hand quilting it. I had forgotten she had it, so it was such a special treat to open it and see the gorgeous finished quilt! It’s sure to be an heirloom 🙂
Sunday, December 23 – we bummed around most of the morning, enjoying brunch and coffee with my parents. After some football watching and catching up on blogs (finally!), Nick and I bundled up for a quick 5K around town. Holy freezing! At -1˚F, it was probably the coldest temp I’ve ever ran in. Our eyelashes were icicles! It kinda looks like white mascara, doesn’t it?!
A couple suggestions for cold weather running:
- Don’t wear a merino wool buff. Breathing makes it wet and then it freezes. A better option: 180s QuantumHeat elevate neck gaiter. Nick has one, and it’s awesome.
- However, SmartWool socks are a must.
- As is the lululemon turn around jacket (I was almost too warm!).
- Two pairs of tights are a good idea. I wore lululemon toasty tech tights, which are perfect for 15 degrees and above, but would have liked another thin base layer.
- Mittens!
Run: 3.1 miles, about 27 minutes.
Weekly stats
A so-so week, but I’m enjoying a bit more downtime the holidays bring and before Ironman Canada training ramps up come January 1!
Run: 11.55 miles, 1:48:18
Yoga: one class, 60:00
This week: We’re in Hallock until Wednesday morning, so there will likely be another chilly run or two. I really need to get back in the pool this week, too. And, some glide time on the skis this weekend. The Birkie is less than two months away from today, and I haven’t been out once… yikes!
Does anyone else enjoy running is the extreme cold? Any cold weather tips to share?
6 Comments
On behave of Chicago drivers everywhere, I apologize!!!
So glad you made it home safe and that quilt is beautiful! I can’t believe you guys bundled up for that run. What funny pictures! Enoy the rest of your time at home!
Ha… no worries! I’ll still visit Chicago again 🙂
Thank you! I’m a lucky girl to get a quilt like that!
I find your dedication so motivating. I really think I need to start logging to hold myself accountable… So impressed by your ability to get all this in during a week of birthdays/travel/pre-holiday!
Also, happy birthday again! And I think your white eyelashes are gorgeous!:)
Enjoy your time with your family! Looking forward to finally meeting up next month!
It keeps me sane, Rita! More than two days without some sort of movement is one too many 🙂
Thank you!
Hope you had a lovely holiday with your family, too! Looking forward to meeting up as well 🙂
Happy birthday again! How sweet of Nick to plan such a wonderful surprise 🙂 And nice week of workouts!
Thanks much, Hyedi! He is pretty sweet 🙂