Sunday, January 27, 2019

Hell is Actually Freezing Over

It is so cold...how cold is it? It is so cold even the snowmen want to come inside...

It is so cold...how cold is it? It is so cold that my college son is considering wearing boots...

It is so cold...how cold is it? It is so cold even Elsa is bothered by it...

It is so cold...how cold is it? It is so cold that I look forward to hot flashes...

It is so cold...how cold is it? It is so cold that I ran on the treadmill...

It is so cold...how cold is it? It is so cold that:


Did I mention that it's cold? We are in the middle of a deep freeze and buried under a foot of snow. I'm thinking Alaska has more temperate conditions that Chicago right now! It is definitely a challenge to motivate myself to move, but I did get some workouts in. This winter warrior has become a winter wimp. I didn't want to risk frostbite or slipping on the ice, so I did my runs indoors.

Running
On Wednesday, I ran on the treadmill for the first time since summer. I actually didn't mind this treadmill run. Who am I? My treadmill is ancient and its accuracy is unreliable, but when I need it, I'm glad it's there. I ran for one hour, using 9:1 run/walk intervals. After that, Cocoa and I did a lap on her doggie track we dug out for her around the backyard. She was so excited that when we came back in, she ran around the house like a rabid dog! 

Yes, that is a pile of old running shoes. I need to donate them, STAT!
On Saturday, I went on an adventure with my running club and ran an indoor marathon relay. While I'll share more on the full recap next Sunday, I will tell you that this was different than anything I've ever done. Our team of four runners ran 2 laps of the track, 886m, twelve times. If my math is correct, it's about 6.7 miles. We finished in 3:41:34. As I write this, I am sore in places I've never been sore! But what a fun event!


CrossFit
Sammy Jo pushed me a bit on Thursday! I did back squats, 75# (I think) sets of 8 x 3. This felt way harder than I expected and the high number of reps made my heart pound! After that she had me push the weighted sled followed by pulling it back via rope. I alternated that with GHD situps and handstand walks up the wall. Bootcamp followed with a 10 minute EMOM of wall balls alternating with plank holds. The second half of the workout was a 4 min work/1 min rest of heavy ball carries alternating with heavy ball cleans and heavy ball squats. There was also a 5 burpee buy-in prior to every set. I chose a 50# ball for the carries and a 30# ball for the cleans and squats. It was hard! 


Yoga
After my treadmill run on Wednesday, I did Five Parks Yoga's Stress Relief Class. There was a lot of pranayama and slow stretching and it felt great after a very stressful start to my week. On Friday after work, I needed to stretch it all out and did FPY's Deep Stretch Flow Class. This is probably one of my favorite classes because I always feel so good after.



Is it cold where you are? How are you surviving? Have you ever done an indoor marathon or a marathon relay?
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60 comments :

  1. It's currently 71 with a low of 66 this morning. According to the locals this is "cold." I admit that it actually felt a little cool on the North Shore yesterday. Come for a visit to thaw out!

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  2. It's not that cold here, it's been hovering around 0. We did have a lot of ice on the pavements on Wednesday and it was tricky, thin ice that was quite annoying to try to travel along on. Well done for all your different activities. I would sort of like to try a track marathon!

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    1. The track marathon relay was probably one of the more interesting things I've ever done. I'm still ruminating on it and will have some thoughts put together next week.

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  3. I cannot wait to read your recap about that relay!! That sounds so fun and even better that it was indoors! I'm not sure there's anything similar to that out here. Plus, I don't know if I could find enough people to make a team. LOL

    Wall walks are one of my least favorite things ever. I literally groan when I see that we have to do them. I know I need to do them but man, do I detest them. BLECH! But, that said, I think I have an idea for a warm-up next week. I'm sure my athletes will thank you profusely for the idea. haha!

    It's definitely not THAT cold here but that freeze is heading this way. Doubt it will bring snow but it's definitely going to get frigid. I really wish I had a treadmill. I guess maybe it's time to renew my membership at the Y? *sigh*

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    1. Wall walks are one of those things that don't look hard but are hard. Plus there's the fear factor to get over as you get closer to the wall!

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  4. It was freezing her for 2-3 days but now we're back to normal winter temps (20 degrees and above). I hope that the deep freeze ends for your area soon - I know it's been brutal!

    The indoor marathon relay sounds like it was so much fun! Definitely a different way to experience a marathon.

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    1. We've still got a tough stretch ahead of us--Wednesday has a predicted high of -12! WTH?

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  5. I always loving pulling the sled because I feel like I am in those strong man competitions! I am so over winter right now and I am very #teamwinter but this snow and ice in kansas is driving me crazy!

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    1. We were having such a mild winter up until about 2 weeks ago. It's weird how it changed so dramatically!

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  6. we have those indoor marathon relays around here but I have not done one (yet). I bet they are fun though. We have that ridiculous cold headed our way although we are never as cold as you are. Hang in there!

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    1. I could totally see you and your friends forming a team and running the relay. Do it! It's a fun experience.

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  7. The midwest has been SO cold! Minneapolis was similar to Chicago but without any snow. I didn't mind as much as I was taking the week off of running, but it's continuing into this week and even worse- treadmill will be my best friend.

    The indoor marathon relax sounds great! There's one here that goes inside the US Bank Stadium (where the Vikings play). I may need to check it out!

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    1. Yep, looks like my treadmill and I will resume our relationship this week too!

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  8. I had not been on my treadmill (for running) since sometime last winter...but I've managed my last four runs on it. It's definitely not my favorite scenario, but it's working. No indoor marathons for me, but I have been on two different marathon relay teams, as well as a 76-mile team relay (3 times). It's fun doing team stuff!

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    1. I'm hoping maybe to get a run outside tomorrow afternoon--we'll see if we get all the snow they're predicting.

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  9. I'd never run an indoor race nor have I been on a relay team. It sounds like fun! What an excellent finish time too! Does your body get cold in between your running turns? We had a cold week (for us) but this coming week is supposed to be even colder. There is a 70% chance of snow Tuesday. Yeah right...

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    1. Snow? Say it ain't so! My body didn't get cold between laps but my hands did. I sure paid for that--I had trouble gripping the steering wheel on the way home and they were still unhappy this morning! Note to self: bring gloves next time.

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  10. I've never done an indoor race, but I did once do a half relay. I thought about doing the marathon relay for Vermont City, which is a big deal in these parts (each runner runs a half), but in the end chose a smaller half in VT.

    We are always a bit behind you in weather. We obviously did get some nasty cold weather this week, but Thursday it was almost 50! But pouring rain. Which still couldn't eradicate the snow. The back & forth is kind of driving me nuts but you really can't do much with the weather. :(

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    1. No, you sure can't do much about the weather! It's been a crazy roller coaster of a January! I read something about the polar vortex falling off it's vortex or something like that...

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  11. That relay sounds like fun. I have heard that running too far on a track can cause imbalance strains, but it sounds like you had time to rest and recover in between. We've had cold, and we've had wet, but this week our wet was rain. Scooby has made a mud track in our back yard -- he comes back in with clods of dirt in his feet.

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    1. Oh, I dread when the snow melts and Cocoa does that very same thing. Ugh. At least she's little and I can carry her down to the laundry tub (while she tries to jump out!).

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  12. Yes Hell froze over here as well. I ran on the treadmill Monday but I only lasted 2 miles. I hated every minute. I would rather freeze outside.

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  13. I've not done any sort of indoor running event, nor have I done a marathon relay. Your description makes your experience sound really fun and I look forward to reading your recap.

    It was rather mild here today, but the polar vortex is moving across the country and is supposed to hit us around Wednesday. Yikes!

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. We're actually going to warm up tomorrow but it's going to snow. Still, I'm hoping to head out for a run!

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  14. On Wednesday we are supposed to have a high of -5! I'm thinking that school will get canceled. It will most likely be treadmill running all week for me - and hopefully a long run outside on Saturday. Dang, you were killing it with those weights!! The indoor relay sounds interesting. I have run an outdoor marathon relay and it was a lot of fun!

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    1. The indoor relay was way different than an outdoor relay. I'm posting my recap on Tuesday--I'll be curious to hear your thoughts.

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  15. We had sub-zero cold earlier in the week and then it got up to 50. Crazy! The cold is coming back this week though. An indoor marathon relay sounds fun. The fast pace of the relay sounds fun!

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  16. I'm so freaking over this winter already! We had a break today but temps are plunging again this week.

    That marathon relay sounds like a lot of fun!

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  17. I hate our weather right now. It is so so cold and we are supposed to get more smow and colder this week. I will also be treadmilling it for the foreseeable future. Stay warm!

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    1. I'm hoping to get out and run today--we're getting snow, so it's a bit warmer. Fingers crossed.

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  18. A few friends ran the indoor marathon at Petit too- I heard it was a lot of fun. But they also are sore today. Did they make you switch directions at all? I ran at Petit when I lived in Milwaukee and trained for my second marathon, it's a great place!

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    1. We didn't switch directions. Between that and running what amounted to 12 laps of 880s, I'm not surprised that I'm sore!

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  19. Can't wait to hear more about the relay. I have friends who've begged me for years to run the Vermont City Marathon as a relay, but so far it hasn't come together. I skated at the Petit Center many times but no running!

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    1. My teammate also was as competitive skater and skated at Pettit as well!

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  20. I was so happy to read that you didn't mind the treadmill! That is great. I've been on mine too many times this winter because of ice and negative freezing temps so I'm getting kinda sick of it! I loved the pic of you running a lap track for Cocoa :-) So great!! Can't wait to hear more about the marathon relay - how fun!

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    1. We've gotten more snow, so I'll have to dig her track out again! LOL!

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  21. It is so bitterly cold! Last week was my first treadmill run in literally months because I couldn't take the cold. I can't wait to read more about the marathon relay - that sounds really fun!

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    1. We're actually having a break from the cold today while the snow piles up. Hoping to maybe get an outdoor run in this afternoon. I foresee more treadmill runs in my future.

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  22. I like the hot flash one the best. 🤣 I think your indoor marathon relay sounds unique and fun! At least the track is pretty big so it’s not quite so hard on your body. Running in circles for 6.7 miles would be tough!

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    1. I didn't notice the slant of the track as much as I thought, but my SI joint was talking to me in the later miles. We only ran 2 laps at a time, so that was a help!

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  23. More treadmill runs over here lately than I would prefer...but I'm thankful it's an option. I'm intrigued by the indoor marathon relay- how fun!

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    1. It was really a great experience! I'm going to share my recap tomorrow.

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  24. Love that shot of you and VERY HAPPY COCOA running a lap in the snow! Dogs have a way of expressing pure joy, doin't they? It's cold here but not freezing-over cold. Wouldn't wish that on anyone but looks like it's continuing for you this week, yuck.

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    1. Oh, we're hitting rock bottom on Wednesday. I don't ever remember a winter like this!

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  25. Great job staying on top of everything!

    It's cold here for us: 30s again. Which I know is not really "deep freeze" territory, but for us, it's been pretty tough. Our heat is getting a full workout here.

    That indoor relay looks really cool. I never get the chance to run on a track, indoors or outdoors, and that must have been really neat! Can't wait to read more about it!

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    1. I'm sure the 30s feels cold for you--you're so not used to it, plus isn't it damp too?

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  26. That indoor relay sounds really cool! I don't think I've heard of something like that before. And it's perfect timing for an indoor event given the weather you had last week :)

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  27. It is so cold there. we were just talking about it at work since we have an office in Chicago. Our colleagues are all working from home because it's too cold to commute to the office. My boss was looking at the temps and just shaking his head in disbelief saying "no way, NO WAY!" I don't even think I've experienced a Chicago winter like what you guys are having right now.

    We had snow last week, it was cold (by my definition) but I figured out it was about 17 degrees F at the lowest. So, um, I'm not going to complain!!

    I love the indoor relay idea! very cool!! I have done two marathon relays, Milan and Rotterdam, but they are both road marathons.

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    1. I am older than you and I can say that I've never experienced a winter like this! It's nuts!

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  28. Ha ha! Yes Alaska has been a bit moderate as far as temps go. But, it can also drop really quickly and then it is like "hell has frozen over" you can't walk, run or even drive in some areas. I have been praying for a little colder temps and more snow. Your workouts are crazy!! Such strength!!

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    1. We were so warm at the beginning of the month--we were all feeling very smug about our mild winter!

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  29. We (finally) got quite a bit of snow last week, but somehow the super cold temps skipped us. It was around zero this morning, I think, but that's as cold as it's been. I lol-ed at your son considering wearing boots - I've seen college kids here wearing flip flops when it's below zero. You'd think frostbite would be a deterrent!

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    1. You'd think! I wouldn't mind winter as much if we could just get snow without the cold temperatures!

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  30. Love your so cold...Elsa made me giggle
    Crazy Cocoa.
    Look forward to your recap of the relay

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