Running in a Winter Wonderland

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Garmins beep

Are you listening?

On the trail

Snow is glistening

A beautiful day

We're happy to say

We're running in a winter wonderland

-Apologies to Richard B. Smith, lyricist

What was the weather like where you ran this week? Here in Chicago, we were hit with some early season snow! In fact, we have had the 2d snowiest November on record. Sure, it's pretty. But it's only November and we've got a lot more winter ahead of us. Fortunately, the forecast is for back to normal conditions next week. I've got a half marathon on Saturday and it looks like we're going to have close to 50 degrees. Now if the wind could stay away...

Running
In spite of the snow and cold, I actually enjoyed some really nice running conditions this week. On Wednesday, it was sunny and the wind was calm. I took my 7 mile run to the retention pond where I enjoyed solitude. I love running there this time of year because all the fair weather peeps stay away. While there were a few walkers, mostly it was just me and the geese. If you look closely at the path in my photo, you'll see what I mean.

On Saturday, I joined the running club for another group run, this time to the Des Plaines River Trail. It's hard to believe I've never run there, but after this run, I will be back. This run was especially pretty because it snowed the whole time with big, fluffy flakes. There was no wind and it just felt so peaceful. I started with a group who ran at a 10 m/m pace and I was thinking I'd stay with them the entire 8 miles. But once we hit 2 miles, they sped up to about 9:15. I hoped that I could maintain that pace but I could not. Reality bites, but what are you going to do? Run/walk intervals to the rescue. I enjoyed solitude for much of my run. On the way back, at mile 6, one of the men caught up with me and said he'd do the run/walk intervals for the last 2 miles. He was really pleasant and I enjoyed his company. After the run, we went to Starbucks for coffee and talked all things running.

Busse Woods Running Club
Field Trip to Des Plaines River Trail
I'm 4th from left in the front row

CrossFit
I woke up on Thursday with a post-Humira headache--it happens sometimes--and I considered skipping my strength session with Sammy Jo. Instead, I popped a few ibuprofen and worked my buns off. First, she had me do front squats 90# 4 sets of 6 reps. Those alternated with barbell rows and ab leg extensions with the resistance band. After that, we worked on rope climbs. I don't know if it was because I wasn't feeling well or that the strength work was so hard, but climbing wasn't happening.

Bootcamp was killer. First was a 12 minute AMRAP of pike pushups, DB push presses, Kip swings, and ABmat situps. I got in 4 rounds. After that, we did 5 rounds of 45 seconds jump roping (I have not mastered the double under), 15 burpee boxovers, and 10 ball slams. I finished before the 18 minute mark. That's 60 burpees, y'all! Boom.

Yoga
There was no yoga this week. Oh, did I feel it. I remedied that on Sunday, doing Five Parks Yoga's Yin Fusion Yoga Class. I felt much better when I was done and I vowed not to skip yoga again.

This is a great hip opener. Does anyone know what it's called?

Off the road
And here's why there was no yoga until Sunday. My dad had major back surgery on Monday. I hit the road at 5am to meet my parents in the city before they took my dad to the OR. After 4 hours, we were able to see him in his room. He did really well and is home now, recuperating. We brought dinner on Saturday and spent some time with him and my mom. Getting old is no joke. I'm grateful we have access to such excellent healthcare where we live.

My dad had a room with a view!
Sunset (looking east)

On Friday, I was out of the office to attend a workshop called Crucial Conversations. Have any of you attended one of these? The training is to help improve communication, especially in sensitive situations. The workshop I attended was for physicians and nurse practitioners. It was actually really helpful and I'm looking forward to putting some of the things I learned into action.

How was your week? Did you get snow? Do you like to run in new places? Do the geese poop all over your trails? 

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