February has started out relatively mild so far, and by mild, I mean we’re not buried in many inches of snow. That doesn’t mean it’s been all sunshine and rainbows, no siree bob. It’s been gray, windy, and cold for the most part . . . except for the occasional glimpses of sun and the odd warm day.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin : give Tricia some love since she’s running RnR NOLA today. Of course Holly deserves love too. We all do — don’t forget to check out your fellow bloggers and see what they’re up to!
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, 3.75 miles easy, YFPR Hips
- Tuesday: Driving the parents around, mostly in the snow, total “rest” day
- Wednesday: Flat Belly Yoga, Pahla B ST, Shoveling — yup, again!
- Thursday: YFPR Hips, Dogwalk, 5 TM miles (3 @ tempo)
- Friday: DM Flow, Pilates Perfect Body Buns & Thighs, 4 easy miles
- Saturday: YFPR Hips
- Sunday: YFR Hips, 8 mile LSD, Dogwalk
Mileage: 20.75 (+.38)
TIU = Tone it Up
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running updates
Monday
Had to get my run on because there would be no time on Tuesday. Forget not journaling, I didn’t even write it up here — and I don’t even remember what the heck I did! Looking at my phone I ran at the park. And I have pretty much zero memory of the run.
Thursday
It wasn’t a bad day to run outside, but the sun kept going in & out, it’s faster to do it on the treadmill, I’m tired of cold runs, there was a far amount of black ice around in the morning, and I don’t have to lock up Bandit if I run on the treadmill. Plus it was a tempo run, so easier to pace myself on the treadmill.
Which doesn’t mean it was easy
I swear I was running it thinking “please Rachel don’t do this to me again next week”, but the actual point is that I was running it . . . even at the pace prescribed. And spoiler alert: next week’s “speedy” run is a little slower.
Friday
Damn, it was cold! I knew I’d go outside for my run today.The sun continues to play peek-a-boo. Bandit seemed eager to run again, as it’s been a couple of weeks (last week he made it clear he didn’t want to). And we ran at a decent pace for us — he seemed as eager as me to have it over with (even though he was also clearly enjoying it).
It’s always a little hard to drop him off, give him a few treats, then have to go out into frigid temps all sweaty.
Sunday
The park angel is still clearing paths for me. I went to the park — I didn’t take any photos afterwards, the photo above is from a dog walk a few weeks ago — it was just too cold to walk around once I was done.
It was gray, cold, and windy. Lovely. The first mile was really brutal, but then I managed to find areas that were mostly protected from the wind. Mile 2 was notable for just seeming to go by very quickly.
Other than mile 2, and running into my old Coach from USAFit in the first mile (never to be seen again — where’d they go?), this run was unremarkable. Not bad, not great — in general it felt relatively comfortable, although occasionally I’d glance at my Garmin and find my pace had dropped way off, which I was unaware of.
It was my slowest long run in a while because it was also my first solo run in a while. I think I’ll be doing lots of solo runs after next weekend. Next weekend is the last winter series but I still have 5 long runs to go after it!
Favorites of the week
My long day on Tuesday getting my Dad to the doctor wasn’t as bad as I feared. Super tiring, yes. Could have done without the snow, sure. But I’ll do it again in the future to give my sister a break.
Otherwise not a #holotta stuff going on. Kind of literally. I didn’t get my 2 sessions of strength training in this week, but I got one in, worked my core, did some yoga, did some Pilates. Sometimes you just do what you can do — you don’t want to overtrain (I touched on that in Wednesday’s post, which you can read here).
I also started to bring my journal up to date — at the very least, I have a lot of the data on my Garmin Connect app, so I’m filling in the month of January as best I can — writing my report card post (you can read it here) got me to get started on it.
It also got me to get my haircut, as I posted on Instagram (and like I said, it only looks like that a couple of minutes), I’m going to the chiropractor tomorrow, and all I have left to book is a massage.
Blogging is very good for accountability.
And that’s a wrap
This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.
Let’s get the conversation started:
Do you feel stuck in the winter doldrums?
If you do feel stuck — how do you unstick yourself?
What was the last thing you did for fun?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Blogging is great accountability for sure! We got the frigid weather for one day it was rough out there. The hair looks great-I can never blow dry my hair how my guy does either. Have a great week
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I don’t blow dry my hair. Like ever. Only very occasionally when it’s super cold and I have to go out after washing my hair (which I try to avoid).
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I wish I could look salon ready every day! My medical assistant makes fun of my hair all the time. It always looks better when it’s dirty.
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mine too!!
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My hair looks much, much better after being washed. Once I put a hat on and pull it back into a ponytail . . . frizz city.
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Thank goodness for the Garmin connect. It saved me a few times when I had no recollection of a run but wanted to keep good records of what I’ve done.
I am impressed with your treadmill speed. It seems to take me FOREVER on the TM. I probably don’t have it set to the appropriate speed though. What speed do you use? It definitely is a good alternative to going out in the cold though and nice for Bandit that you get to be home with him!
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Well, Rachel gives me a range of paces to shoot for and I use a online calculator to figure out my run/walk intervals.
That was a tempo run on Thursday — not sure I’ve ever actually run 3 miles on the treadmill that quickly before!
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Your new do is pretty! Yes, deep in the dolrums here. I’m especially sensitive to cold these days. It’s not even cold (30) and I’m cold.
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It’s not a new do, but thank you. Just a trim. It’s what it always looks like after a trim . . . because basically I never change it (other than the length).
I’m sure the thyroid issues are behind feeling cold. I dunno, 30 can be cold!
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It’s been soo grey here too! And windy! Is it spring yet? And I loved your IG post! Cute!
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Spring is far away . . . this week is going to be kind of ugly, and I see more TM runs in my future. Could always be worse, though!
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Your cut looks great. It reminds me I’m overdue for an appointment! I’m always telling my hairdresser she needs to come to my house every morning at 6:45. She doesn’t seem impressed. Speaking of winter doldrums…it was cold and it rained all day today. Nothing like what you have up there, but I was stuck inside. I’m so happy Bandit is able to run with you and enjoying it too. Thanks for linking, Judy!
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I was way overdue, even though it hadn’t been too too long — but my hair had gotten too too long!
I dunno, cold rain is pretty tough. I might be facing that myself this weekend.
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We had another cold & yucky week in Iowa, but things FINALLY turned around on Sunday with sunshine 😉 It’s amazing what a little (or a lot of) sunshine can do for the soul!
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Ugh, no sun at all here Sunday. Yes, it is amazing the difference it makes!
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Your hair looks great!
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Thanks, Natalie!
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I thought I commented but where did it go??
You can have me for company on your LSDs, if you want.
Good to hear about the Crossings but it’s too far at 5 pm and I don’t think I could do 12 miles there.
I hate the way my hair looks after the hairdresser. She uses a dryer – ugh! My hair actually looks better when it is dirty.
See you Sunday.
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My hair looks really good after it’s just washed — the curls look great! They get flattened out by hats & ponytails.
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It isn’t easy when the weather is blah! I am influenced by the sun, and it’s tough to stay motivated when it’s a dreary day. Winter training can be hit or miss, but with a spring race, I gotta do it.
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Spring race here, too — this is why I rarely train through the winter.
I thought CO had a lot of sunshine? We most definitely do not!
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I haven’t gotten my hair “did” from a real salon in ages. Most just don’t know what to do with curly hair and I’m low maintenance, wash and let air dry! I do have someone that will put color on for me when my daughter is too busy but I leave there with my hair wet, not styled.
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Actually the place I go to has a lot of girls who are really good with curly hair. They never seem to stay, but when they leave, the always recommend the next person — and they’re always good, too.
I just wash & air dry too, although it’s really tricky in the winter when it’s so cold. If I don’t get it washed by like 3 pm, it doesn’t dry. I’m lucky I don’t work!
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Sounds like a great week! The winter had been relatively uneventful in Maine until this week, but now we have had 2 snow storms and ice storm all in one week. I’ve been putting my miles in on the treadmill!! Thanks so much for linking up at Sunday Fitness & Food 🙂
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Unfortunately our week was the same story, another storm heading our way tomorrow . . . really hoping I can get out early tomorrow to get my long run done!
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