A breath of fresh air

Today was pretty cold and WINDY!  I didn't want to go running.  Something that my husband said clicked in my brain.  If I don't mind running in the rain or snow, why would I mind running when it's cold and windy?  So I went running.  On my way out the door, my husband said, “Head for a building, if your face starts to freeze off,” and “Go towards the light.”  It was 14 degrees and with all the wind (gusts up to 30 mph) the wind chill -4 degrees.  I bundled up--three layers on my head--and after a mile and a half I was warm.

I felt tough!  I was out running on a very cold windy day.  And then during the last mile when I was feeling so tough I tripped.  Sprawled out on the ground, I thought, "You're so tough, you trip over nothing."  I have a few bruises.  I can't believe I tripped over my own two feet.

This weekend it is suppose to be colder.  Single digits.  I say, “Bring it on!”

Will and I enjoyed our first visit to the University of Iowa's indoor track.  33 3/4 laps was 5 miles, but we made it an even 34.  I brought my watch to help me keep track of laps.  We completed 34 laps in 47:42.  Not too shabby.  I didn't think I ran that fast with the jogger stroller when I am out to run slow miles.

Today was warm mid 30's.  I thought I'd get a long run in while I had the chance.  I felt incredibly strong my last mile.  It still took a mile and a half for me to feel warmed up.

I don't think I'll get a tempo run in this week because tomorrow will be a recovery day--5 miles.  And the weekend looks so cold; I plan on surviving my runs.  Too bad the indoor track is closed this weekend for a track meet.  Still, I don't want to overdo it.  Maybe I'll take a couple more weeks before I try to do tempo run and a long run in the same week.

Today was like Monday 14 degrees, but it felt like -5 degrees.  However, today's run was not as enjoyable as Mondays.  I had trouble with my wind breaker.  I couldn't keep the hood pulled tight enough around my face and when I did, the draw-string would rub on my chin.  I'll try a different combination of clothes for tomorrow.

I squeezed in four miles and a shower, before Will and I headed to his eighteen month appointment.  With all my layers and the cold, cold wind, I tried to keep my pace as fast as possible.  I threw in a lot of strides and finished in 35 minutes.  Overall, it was a good, short run.

The temperature was 12 degrees and felt like -5 degrees.  My layering of clothes was a lot better that yesterday.  I went with Monday's layering--three layers on my head.  I have to turn sideways to look for traffic.  And because I am so focused on staying warm and keeping my legs moving, a couple of times I've turned the wrong way or didn't turn at all. I'll be glad when it's spring and I don't have to wear so much weight and I'll be able to see again.

Will's appointment went well and was shot-free!  Will weighs 27.5 pounds (72%) and is 32.7 inches tall (62%).

Tonight, I did the plank for two minutes and side planks for forty-five seconds.

Right now it's -4 degrees and it feels like -21 degrees.  There's a wind chill advisory until Sunday night.  I didn't know what that meant, so I looked it up on weather.com.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS... RESULTING IN FROST BITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS... DRESS IN LAYERS COVERING EXPOSED SKIN. FROSTBITE WILL OCCUR IN A FEW AS 20 MINUTES IN THESE CONDITIONS.

I'll let you know later what I decide to do.

With the indoor track closed for a track meet, I decided to lift weights.  I started the workout with 130 juming jacks.  I did triceps, shoulders, back, legs, and abs.  It took about 50 minutes.  Felt good to do something different.

The high today was 1 degree, but it felt like -15 degrees.