Love the Run You're With

 🎶If you can't be with the run you love, love the run you're with...🎶  (apologies to Stephen Stills)

Another week of bitter cold and snow. I read today that we've had snow the past 8 out of 9 days and more is predicted for tomorrow. We have over 2 feet of snow on the ground right now. My car so completely crusted with road salt that you can't tell what color it is. I like snow and all, but really, guys, it can all melt now. The only one who is still loving the snow is my dog, Cocoa. Goofball.

Running has been a challenge, both due to the conditions underfoot and the limited availability of places to run. The cold is also an issue, but in spite of it, I did get outside for 3 runs this week. Did you read my post on dressing for winter running? I took my own advice as I prepared to run outside this week. In spite of the frigid, frozen conditions, I enjoyed those outdoor runs! There's always something special about getting out in the fresh air, no matter how cold it is. And (grumble grumble) I do have to admit that it's really pretty. 

Weekly Rundown

Monday: home strength and speedwork 400mx8

Tuesday: yoga

Wednesday: trail run 6 miles

Thursday: strength training

Friday: run 6.2 miles

Saturday: rest

Sunday: run 6 miles

Running

The snow, while falling almost continuously these days, has been light, so I hoped that on Wednesday the trails would be packed down enough for a run. They were! Not only was I able to run on the main path, but the single track in the woods was also packed down. I had the trails to myself, save for one other person and the deer. It was lovely and it was just what I needed. It was a challenging run, though, and I felt this one in my glutes for the rest of the day.

On the way home from my trail run on Wednesday, I drove by the bike path and saw that it was plowed. For my run Friday morning, there was again a light coating of snow, so I laced up my trail shoes for traction and headed over to the path. It was a little slick, which made for slow going but I ran without slipping. It was cold(!) but I was dressed properly for it and I was actually sweating when I got home. 

It was really cold Sunday morning, and as I sipped my coffee, the newscasters were warning of the dangers of frostbite. I considered running on the TM, but instead, prepared for a run around the neighborhood. It felt great to slip on my road shoes and I dressed in what now feels like my winter running uniform. The cold didn't bother me at all. It might not be the run I wanted, but yeah, I loved it. 

Strength Training

Monday's home strength started with back squats, 3 sets of 10. I did these at 65# since I have to clean the bar over my head. After that, I did Bulgarian split squats (on the box), 3 x 10 per leg, holding 25# dumbbells in each hand, hip thrusts 3 x 12 using the bar (65#), Farmers carry 3 x 200m holding 25# dumbbells in each hand, and tempo body rows 3 x5 with a 5 second descend. I finished with sprints on the TM, 400m x8.

On Thursday, Sammy Jo had me build to a 1 rep heavy lift on the back squat and bench press. I PR'd my bench press at 87.5#. I don't know if it was that trail run the day before or what, but I wasn't able to PR my back squat. I got to 145# and that was it. It makes no sense to me since I did 4 sets of 3 back squats at 135# the week before. I was pretty bummed about it. SJ reminded me that not every day is 'our day'; I know this from running, but still...It's really not a big deal, since the process of building has made me stronger. I'll try again in a couple of weeks.

❤️HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!❤️

Sending you a warm running Valentine from my runner's heart to yours! Love the run you're with! 

How was your week? Are you buried in snow? Any stories from the frozen tundra? Had enough? What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.