My last Michigan run proved to be the snowiest, but not the coldest. Yesterday's run definitely takes the top prize for that!!
Today I did 7 miles heading south again towards the river. It was snowing big, fluffy flakes, and it was so pretty and peaceful. Almost made it feel like Christmas.
It got me to thinking what it would be like to spend a winter in the North again, where I could fully enjoy winter - skiing, snowshoeing, etc. There's a common misconception that because I go to Florida for the winter, I don't like winter - I do like winter, and I enjoy the snow. Going out in the cold, makes it so much nicer to come in, take a sinfully hot shower, and enjoy a warm beverage in front of the fireplace. Ahhhh...
Well, better get going. Nearly time to catch my flight back to Minneapolis. I'm looking forward to getting back to my own place. Until next time...
Friday, November 25, 2005
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Frozen Snowbird Part 2
So if yesterday wasn't cold enough and snowy enough - today certainly is! I woke to temps around 10 degrees, and the wind howling around the windows and doors. The wind chill made it feel like -5. bRRR!
I waited until noon before heading out for a run in case the wind died down some or the temps came up. yeah, neither happened, so I put on all my layers and headed out. This time to the north into the wind. It was SOOO cold. I lasted 17 minutes before the wind and cold got to me. I turned for home, and with the wind at my back, it was nearly blowing me over. The gravel roads were icy and slippery, so combined with the force of the wind, my run was a little treacherous.
35 min. was all I could stand today. I had hopes of getting in an hour and a half run or more, but with the weather, I figure I'll make up for it another day. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I waited until noon before heading out for a run in case the wind died down some or the temps came up. yeah, neither happened, so I put on all my layers and headed out. This time to the north into the wind. It was SOOO cold. I lasted 17 minutes before the wind and cold got to me. I turned for home, and with the wind at my back, it was nearly blowing me over. The gravel roads were icy and slippery, so combined with the force of the wind, my run was a little treacherous.
35 min. was all I could stand today. I had hopes of getting in an hour and a half run or more, but with the weather, I figure I'll make up for it another day. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Frozen Snowbird
Monday I finally got to go running again with my friend, Anne Marie. We had been talking about these hills at the park near her house for months. I love to run hills, and Anne Marie had been telling me how tough they were, and how I had to see them. So I get there Monday, and we drive to the park, only to find that it's closed!! What a bummer. We didn't risk running the park anyway, because they said it was closed due to "Deer Management." So we did a nice 5.5 mile run around her subdivisions. It was fun to chat, and enjoy her company like old times.
Afterward we went to lunch and shopping. It's a darned good thing that I carbo-loaded up at lunch because I needed all the energy I had to keep up with that girl in the Mall. Whew! I was exhausted by the time we were done. But I sure got a good lesson in Marathon Bargain Shopping (MBS 101!) It was such a fun day, and then for a recovery we went home and recarbo-loaded on pasta before heading out one more time to Meijer. We don't have Meijer in Minnesota, so we had to hit that before really calling it a day.
After shopping and running on Monday, I needed Tuesday as a recovery day. Well, maybe not really, but I didn't make time for a workout, and before long it was 9:30 at night, and I was sound asleep.
Today was another story though. There aren't many runs that I have where I can say that I froze my eyelashes, but today was one of those days! Michigan got hit with a winter storm this morning, and I was desperate to get a run in. I headed out this morning with temps in the 20s and the wind blowing so hard it was snowing horizontally. I put on my layers - 2 layers on the bottom, 3 on top, 2 pairs of gloves and ear warmers. For some, that may seem like overkill, but I was nice and toasty.
I did an out and back, starting into the wind with just over 6 miles total (Probably 6.2 or.3). The first half mile was the hardest, getting used to the snow in your face and howling wind in your ears. But as I got warmer, and the road got more protected, it wasn't so bad. I was actually enjoying myself.
There's not much that is more peaceful than making fresh tracks on a quiet country road in the snow. I ran down by the river, where the road snakes through the woods, so I was protected from the winds, and it was so beautiful. Then I turned for home, and with the wind at my back I was almost too warm.
I didn't set any speed records with that wind, but I know I got a good workout in. It is still snowing, and it supposed to all night. Tomorrow I'd like to do a long run to help rationalize the Thanksgiving feast. I'll be anxious to get out there tomorrow and make another set of fresh tracks in the morning. Until next time...
Afterward we went to lunch and shopping. It's a darned good thing that I carbo-loaded up at lunch because I needed all the energy I had to keep up with that girl in the Mall. Whew! I was exhausted by the time we were done. But I sure got a good lesson in Marathon Bargain Shopping (MBS 101!) It was such a fun day, and then for a recovery we went home and recarbo-loaded on pasta before heading out one more time to Meijer. We don't have Meijer in Minnesota, so we had to hit that before really calling it a day.
After shopping and running on Monday, I needed Tuesday as a recovery day. Well, maybe not really, but I didn't make time for a workout, and before long it was 9:30 at night, and I was sound asleep.
Today was another story though. There aren't many runs that I have where I can say that I froze my eyelashes, but today was one of those days! Michigan got hit with a winter storm this morning, and I was desperate to get a run in. I headed out this morning with temps in the 20s and the wind blowing so hard it was snowing horizontally. I put on my layers - 2 layers on the bottom, 3 on top, 2 pairs of gloves and ear warmers. For some, that may seem like overkill, but I was nice and toasty.
I did an out and back, starting into the wind with just over 6 miles total (Probably 6.2 or.3). The first half mile was the hardest, getting used to the snow in your face and howling wind in your ears. But as I got warmer, and the road got more protected, it wasn't so bad. I was actually enjoying myself.
There's not much that is more peaceful than making fresh tracks on a quiet country road in the snow. I ran down by the river, where the road snakes through the woods, so I was protected from the winds, and it was so beautiful. Then I turned for home, and with the wind at my back I was almost too warm.
I didn't set any speed records with that wind, but I know I got a good workout in. It is still snowing, and it supposed to all night. Tomorrow I'd like to do a long run to help rationalize the Thanksgiving feast. I'll be anxious to get out there tomorrow and make another set of fresh tracks in the morning. Until next time...
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Week at a glance
Looks like I've been a bit deliquent this week in my entries. Sorry about that - time flys when you're having fun!
After tuesday night, I went to GF on wednesday. I got there a little early and ran probably 2 miles on the indoor track - I'm glad I don't have to do that very often - Booo-rrrr-iinnng! Then it was the usual 2 hour or so workout, and off to the Spur for reloading.
Thursday night I made it to the pool. I had good intentions of getting there early, but ended up only having a half hour to swim. Which ended up being just fine, given I felt like I was swimming like a water buffalo. Not Very Well!. The 800 yards I managed to get through were torturous. So much for my great swim on tuesday night. I thought there might be some carry over from that, but I guess not.
Friday I took as a rest day. My cough from last month was wanting to come back, and I was stuffed up most of the day. I had planned to run, since I knew Saturday there wouldn't be time. But in an effort to beat this cough before it becomes something like the last one, I opted for 2 rest days back to back.
Saturday I worked, and then flew to Michigan to visit my family. It was an uneventful flight, so that is always good!!
Today is sunday, and I managed a 5 mile run this afternoon. It felt great. As soon as I started to run, my mood lifted, and I felt like I could run forever. I don't know if it was the familiar roads, the kick start of the endorphens flowing, or the music on my Mp3, but it was good stuff. I don't call them "Therapy Runs" for nothing!
As a side note - the trip home hasn't been as good for Henry - the flight was no big deal for him (he's racked up as many frequent flyer miles as I do) but he managed to get himself into a dog fight with my parents dogs today, and had to go to the vet :( "Poor Henry" has 2 sutured puncture wounds on either side of his neck with drain tubes. The good news is, the drain tubes come out friday, but the stiches stay in for a full 2 weeks. No running for "Poor Henry" for awhile now.
Well, that's the news for now... Until Next time...
After tuesday night, I went to GF on wednesday. I got there a little early and ran probably 2 miles on the indoor track - I'm glad I don't have to do that very often - Booo-rrrr-iinnng! Then it was the usual 2 hour or so workout, and off to the Spur for reloading.
Thursday night I made it to the pool. I had good intentions of getting there early, but ended up only having a half hour to swim. Which ended up being just fine, given I felt like I was swimming like a water buffalo. Not Very Well!. The 800 yards I managed to get through were torturous. So much for my great swim on tuesday night. I thought there might be some carry over from that, but I guess not.
Friday I took as a rest day. My cough from last month was wanting to come back, and I was stuffed up most of the day. I had planned to run, since I knew Saturday there wouldn't be time. But in an effort to beat this cough before it becomes something like the last one, I opted for 2 rest days back to back.
Saturday I worked, and then flew to Michigan to visit my family. It was an uneventful flight, so that is always good!!
Today is sunday, and I managed a 5 mile run this afternoon. It felt great. As soon as I started to run, my mood lifted, and I felt like I could run forever. I don't know if it was the familiar roads, the kick start of the endorphens flowing, or the music on my Mp3, but it was good stuff. I don't call them "Therapy Runs" for nothing!
As a side note - the trip home hasn't been as good for Henry - the flight was no big deal for him (he's racked up as many frequent flyer miles as I do) but he managed to get himself into a dog fight with my parents dogs today, and had to go to the vet :( "Poor Henry" has 2 sutured puncture wounds on either side of his neck with drain tubes. The good news is, the drain tubes come out friday, but the stiches stay in for a full 2 weeks. No running for "Poor Henry" for awhile now.
Well, that's the news for now... Until Next time...
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