It was a helluva week. We hunkered down while the Polar Vortex did it’s thing. The kids racked up 3 snow/cold days off. Finally Mother Nature released her grip and we climbed above zero. 10 degrees never felt so good! Temps climbed from there and approached 50 degrees by the weekend. If you count our -50 something windchill, we had roughly a 100 degree temperature swing here in Chiberia. Crazy. Here’s how my training went down.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Treadmill 3 miles + prehab/core
Wednesday: Strength + Yoga
Thursday: Run 6 miles
Friday: Strength + Plyo Intervals
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Run 14 miles (wanted 18)
While, knock wood, we were lucky to come away with our pipes and furnace intact and functioning, some of our friends and neighbors were not so lucky. Our local Target had a giant hole dug through the floor and deep into the ground in the Quest Bar/pharmacy area. Yowza.
Here’s my WTF face
My training was on the “subdued” side, no thanks to a certain bug hanging around compliments of the Caveman. I took all necessary precautions to stay healthy, but try as I might, while I did not catch the full-blown cold, I didn’t feel 100% either.
Ankle-deep ice water or 2 ft of snow: Pick your poison
I debated whether I should attempt 18 miles at all, but finally decided I’d go for it. The first 8 or so miles were fine, but when I got to the path leading up to the park-loop part of my route, it got icy. Very icy with flooded out parts as well.
The park path hadn’t been cleared at all. I can’t tell you how many times I almost bit it. The cuss words were flying, thankfully nobody was there to hear me. Just when you think it can’t get any worse? Two words: Code brown. Seriously who am I? Miraculously I found a potty near the playground in the nick of time. Try hurrying to the potty when it’s icy, I dare you. As you might imagine, after that escapade, I was done. DONE. I called the Caveman and told him where to meet me. There would be no 18 miler for me. On a brighter note, no broken legs either.
Changing Gears
Treadmill with benefits. While all the time spent on the treadmill lately, including last weekend’s 16 miler, hasn’t been a picnic, I noticed a couple of positives. My “easy” pace outside today was faster. I suspect my mill is calibrated inaccurately and I’m running faster than I think. Well my Garmin says I am so who do I believe? An 18 yr old treadmill or a Fenix5S? I also had virtually zero muscle soreness/fatigue after my mill 16 miler. I feel considerably more beat up after pounding the pavement.
7 Days Out. Have you seen this on Netflix? I watched a few the ones about Chanel and the Westminster Dog Show this week and found them quite enjoyable.
College Decision. The teenager committed to Georgia Tech this week and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I know she’s going to love Atlanta….and I’m going to visit often…
Join me over on the MHS Facebook page at 2pm CST Monday, 2/4. I’m going live to talk about healthy travel and I’ll be sharing one of my all-time favorite travel snacks, featuring Great Lakes Gelatin. Remember to use GLGRunDefinitely20 to save 20% at greatlakesgelatin.com.
How was your week? Did you have a huge temperature swing? Have you been to Atlanta? What’s your favorite travel snack?
I give you so much credit for getting out there today for your long run! You could have easily quit after 8 miles but you kept pushing through!
is it bad that when I read about Target I thought about all of the precious Quest bars that were lost? LoL
I will try to join the FB Live session tomorrow if I can!
Way to get it done in those conditions, and huge congrats to your daughter. That’s so awesome.
Grapes are the best travel snack. Well, road trip with a cooler anyway because warm grapes are gross. Congrats to your daughter, add yay on not getting the bug or a broken leg. You’re going to kick Tokyo’s ass
I swear, those tough runs bring out the code brown in all of us. Ughhhhh. I still can’t run past a certain point on the path without breaking into a cold sweat from when I had to duck into the woods. I’m not shy about calling Mike for a rescue pickup anymore. You’ll be fine for Tokyo. Tough as nails and you’ve got experience on your side.
So excited for Maddie (and you!)! It’s just a quick plane ride to ATL. A whole new place to race, too!
Your weather was insane. So glad you stayed warm and safe! Huge congrats to your daughter! I know the college decision is a stressful one and such a relief to have behind you. I’ll have to watch 7 Days Out. It sounds cool.
Wowza so glad you didn’t fall on your run!
Congrats to your daughter – it must feel great to have that decision settled!
Congrats to your daughter exciting times! That is fantastic that your runs felt better after the treadmill runs. You seem like you are having a great training cycle despite the weather challenges. Does the water in your backpack freeze on cold days?
This would be a training nightmare for me. But you have done so well.
I see a lot of Atlanta races in your future.
OMG that is hysterical. I mean, I know it’s so not in the moment but I’m dying over here just picturing you trying to run through icy snow and then having to get to a bathroom…the worst. Glad that is behind you (total pun intended) and let’s hope this vortex is too. Now you can enjoy a mudslide on the trail since the temps are in the 50s. Insanity!!!
You are doing so well with your training despite the weather! I am amazed every time I see your outside pics. Congratulations to your daughter on making her college pick. Such an exciting time!
You did amazing with those 14 miles! That slush photo gave me the chills just looking at it…thank goodness you were able to find a potty, though Code Brown did make me chuckle a little!
Congrats to your daughter! I hope she loves it at Georgia Tech, I have a few friends that are alums.
100 degree temp swing…WOW.
Big fan of 7 days out! Especially the Westminster one 🙂
Code Brown, ha! It happens.
No broken leg is ALWAYS a win. Be careful out there!
I read your blog (via my phone) but forgot to comeback and comment (#mybad). Your long run sounded so brutal. Even though you had to cut it short, you’re such a trooper for getting the miles in before that Code Brown. At least you have a solid (no pun intended LOL) sense of humor 😉
I am SO over ice! This winter has been nothing but ice and I can’t run or drive on it and it’s driving me NUTS!
I’m glad you stayed cozy during the Polar Vortex and still managed to hit some key training runs! Great job! And I’m still so pumped that you’re going to Tokyo 🙂 So awesome. I was thankful our furnace kept rolling over the past week, too. It’s scary when electricity or heat malfunction in that extreme cold!
Congrats to your daughter. You are a super runner: ice and “dreadmill”, a scary couple.