Minneapolis had some record setting snow this week. Not cool…it’s only October! We normally have about two more months of running outside without worrying about slipping and breaking a leg. Argh!
But, I’m grateful to have my Landice treadmill as an option. It’s easy enough just to head down to the basement, turn on the apple TV and zone out!
Even with the treadmill option, I’m still happy to see some warmer temps in the forecast this week to hopefully melt the snow!
Here’s how I tried to find “the right fit” during a snowy week in October:
Monday: Total rest day.
My work is doing a fitness/wellness challenge, and they asked me to lead a treadmill/running class over Zoom. I did do a ‘practice’ session with a few coworkers in the evening. Leading this class is definitely outside my comfort zone, but it’s good to challenge yourself, right? I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself!
Tuesday: Short speed workout! It was 25 minute warm-up, 10x (90 seconds on, 90 seconds off), 10 minute cool-down. I messed up programming this in my Garmin and included the 10 minute cool-down with each set, which was annoying. I had to keep remembering to lap after each recovery, which was harder than you’d think in the early morning in the dark! Overall, I feel like I got the benefits of the workout, I just didn’t do it exactly right.
8 miles total, 9:05 min/mile average. I did a virtual 1:1 strength training with Discover Strength after work as well.
Wednesday: Minneapolis was hit with a bit of an October blizzard on Tuesday evening, so I opted for the treadmill for 60 minutes before work, 6.5 miles total.
Another virtual 1:1 strength training session after work.
I’m very grateful to be working from home when it snows! The treadmill and virtual strength training sessions come in handy too.
Ruth and Matilda (our vizslas) were loving the snow, but they did not trust this snowman, haha!
And how about this brave soul windsurfing on Bde Maka Ska during the blizzard? Yikes!
Thursday: Another treadmill run. I did not think the trails would be plowed before work and I had a speed workout to do, which would be dangerous on slippery paths!
2 miles easy, 3×1 mile at 7:45 min/mile with 3 minute recovery, 2 mile cool-down. 7.7 miles total.
A coworker of mine is just getting into running during the pandemic, so I met her for a run at her pace (she’s doing about 8 minutes running, then walking for about 3 minutes) for a loop of Bde Maka Ska. A bonus 4 miles for me on the day, at about a 12:30 min/mile average.
Most of the snow had melted and the paths were pretty clear, just wet. It’s always fun to connect with a new runner and help them learn to love running as much as I do!
11.7 miles on the day.
Friday: As part of the wellness/fitness challenge my work is doing for philanthropy, a coworker from our Singapore office led a zoom yoga class before work (i.e. Minneapolis morning, Singapore evening!)
It was lovely but a reminder how inflexible I am. I need more yoga!
After the class, I fit in a quick 4 mile run with Ruth at an 8:50 min/mile average.
Saturday: 11.33 mile long run, 8:50 min/mile average. It was only 24 degrees when we started, which is very chilly for October. I had to refresh on how to layer appropriately!
Once we started running, it wasn’t too bad and turned out to be a great morning for a run.
Later that day, we had some family photos taken at Square Lake Park in Stillwater by a fellow vizsla lover, Ami.
We are hoping to use a photo or two for a holiday card. This is more important than ever this year, as we have no pictures from any fun trips to use on a card, ha!
After the photos, we made a quick stop at Lift Bridge Brewery, since we are rarely in Stillwater and hadn’t been before. It was a wee bit too chilly for the pups though!
Sunday: Dustin, Ruth, and I ran 5.3 miles, 8:28 min/mile pace.
Summary: About 46 miles of running, 2 strength sessions, and 1 hour of yoga!
Remember Ruth’s injury by her eye? It seems to be healing up, though she may always have a bit of scar there.
I’ve been trying out a few new shoes lately; I’ve always been a Brooks Ravenna girl, but recently purchased the Brooks Adrenaline and the Brooks Glycerin to switch things up. That was one tip from the podiatrist I saw for my Achilles injury; in addition to making sure your shoes don’t have too many miles on them, it’s also important to switch in different models as a distance runner. I’ve already added in the Hokas for easy days, but am excited to keep playing around with a few new Brooks models as well.
Glycerin:
Well, that’s about it for this week!
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner Check it out!
Yikes on the snow! I do love seeing your treadmill mural though—it’s so fun! I love my Ravenna’s and try to remember to wear the Adrenaline for longer runs — my body does appreciate their bit of cushioning.
That windsurfer is nuts!
I love Ravenna’s too, but need to switch things up, and I had heard a rumor that Brooks might be discontinuing that shoe. I hope not!
That windsurfer is so nuts….
That video of the dogs barking at the snowman is precious! My husband laughed at it too. Cocoa looked very concerned…
Crazy about all that snow. We did not have snow. Just rain. A lot of it. I don’t mind running in the snow, but it’s a little early for it!
I love my Brooks Adrenalines. I used to run in Asics Gel Nimbus, but they changed them a few years ago. It took me a while to settle on the Adrenalines but I have had some really nice runs in them. My trail shoes are also Brooks.
Haha, glad you enjoyed the video Wendy! They were trying to be so brave, but were clearly concerned about that strange man on the bridge!
My trail shoes are Cascadia! I have the waterproof pair that I wore in Antarctica and another pair for dirt trails. They’re great!
Thank goodness for the treadmill! We’re still pretty warm but we had insane rain/darkness going on. If not for WFH it would be my only option for weekday running right now.
Yes, the dark is no fun! Mornings should be a little better for a bit after daylight savings time.
I just shook my head when I saw the snow totals in MN this week. Too soon and it just seems to extend an already long winter. R and M are hilarious with that snowman! Haha! I think you’ll be great with your virtual TM workout!
Way too soon! It’s going to be a long winter if it starts in October…
I cannot believe that someone was out in that weather windsurfing – talk about a risk-taker! The fact that you received so much snow in mid-October still shocks me – but it’s 2020 so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at anything now lol
I hope the windsurfer had a really warm wetsuit on! Brrr!
And yes, anything is possible this year, but in the worst way!
I also love the Glycerins so cushioned. Cannot believe you already have so much snow. Crazy! Way to crush the first week of your challenge
Glad you like the Glycerins!
I’m a loyal Brooks Adrenaline gal, for the past five years. They’re great companions with the Ravennas & Mizuno Wave Inspires (which I periodically rotate it). This cold “winter” weather is happening much too soon for my taste….
Nice! Didn’t know you were also a Brooks Ravenna gal! I should try the Mizuno if those work for you too.
October should not be winter yet! Boo.
Omg windsurfing in a blizzard? How crazy!! I saw a bunch of windsurfers when I was driving over the bridge this week but it was a gorgeous day with lots of wind and sunny skies. We still have pretty warm weather- unseasonably so compared to previous years. My IRun4 buddy lives up in Minnesota and his mom was posting blizzard pics I can’t believe y’all got snow already!
I’m totally a Brooks and Saucony girl! I love my Hyperion Tempos.
You are so lucky to still have nice weather! This snow here is not welcome. 🙁
I have the Hyperion Tempos for speed work! I need a bit more support for longer stuff.
How do you like the Glycerin? I know those are Desi’s favorite shoes. :-). I alternate between the Ghost and Launch. Those two are my favorite shoes.
Ugh on that snow. It is definitely too early for that.
I love that Oiselle top! I need to post an ISO for it. Hopefully someone has it in my size.
Thanks Zenaida! Yeah, I must have bought that top at least a year ago.
I’m liking the Glycerin and didn’t know they are Desi’s favorite. Sweet!
Ooh those GLycerine are pretty. I’m a new convert to Brooks after New Balance stopped making my model and the new one was part of the ITB issue. So far still alternating Ghosts and the last NBs, but they’re about out of miles.
So much snow! LOL at the pups’ reaction to the snowman
How cool to lead a class. Combined with yoga from singapore it’s a fun way to “meet” other colleagues without being cheezy. Awesome to run with your colleague at her pace.
I think I need a bit more stability than the Ghosts, but they do seem to come in a lot of fun colors, haha! Bummer about your NB’s though.
It was nice to join my coworker and hopefully keep her motivated on her running journey! 🙂
I do love to run in a few different shoes each week! Not sure my husband loves that I have so many running shoes, and even without training hard, it’s time for new ones.
The dogs are so handsome. 🙂 Too funny about the snowman.
I’m sure you’ll do great on your Zoom! How nice to meet your friend at her pace.
Haha, I hear ya! With both my husband and I as avid runners, we have way too many pairs of shoes wandering around the house!
That windsurfer seems nuts, but it reminds me that just like running in Minnesota winters, it’s mostly about wearing the proper gear. And, of course, that all that gear can get you into a lot of trouble if you don’t act responsibly.
Very true! There’s no runs too cold, just need “the right fit’ for gear! 🙂
Well played!
Again, Ruth and Matilda are the cutest! I love them.
How do you feel switching between the Adrenaline and the Glycerin? I run in the Adrenaline and I really love it, but the other one is a little too narrow-based for me. I’m curious to see what you think?
Love the mural behind your treadmill!
It’s crazy how much snow you’ve had already! I’ve started wearing the Glycerin’s this year and they are my favorites now. I used to think I didn’t like alot of cushioning but these shoes proved me wrong. I like to alternate those with the Levitates and Hyperion Tempos.
Oh no SNOW!!!!! too early.
I keep changing shoes every time something hurts. Can’t have too many pairs of running shoes.
Now I am wearing Topos.