Happy February! That means this Tuesday is Groundhog’s Day, right? But hasn’t it been Groundhog’s Day for the past year?? It often feels that way, right?
Overall, it was a good week in fitness. Here’s how things went down this past week:
Monday: 5 miles on the treadmill, Discover Strength virtual 1:1 after work
Tuesday: 7.7 miles outside before work, 9:20 min/mile average. Very cold; single digit temps.
Wednesday: 5.2 miles over lunch. I started out with Ruth, but with a temp of 10, feels like -2 with the wind, she wasn’t having any fun, so I did about 1.2 with her and then 4 alone, 8:45 min/mile average. Discover Strength virtual 1:1 after work
Thursday: 7 miles, 9:15 min/mile average before work, outside. Another cold one in single digits!
Friday: 4 miles on the treadmill before work, Discover Strength virtual 1:1 after work
Saturday: 11.25 miles outside; I covered 10 with my small running bubble and then 1.25 with both dogs. 9:10 min/mile average.
We took the route through the Sculpture Garden, which was lovely:
It was so much warmer than it had been earlier in the week- almost 30 degrees! It felt amazing.
After a quick shower, Dustin and I met up with my friend Julie to check out the ice bath on Lake Harriet. I’m not entirely sure who set it up, but it’s being maintained with a ladder and a yoga mat (the ice is slippery!) There are some rules posted, like only 4 people at a time, never dip alone, wear a mask, etc.
When you first get in, it’s hard to regulate your breathing. My legs hurt and were very cold, but they started to feel a little better as time passed.
Julie’s and my goal was to make it a minute in there and we definitely passed a full minute.
My legs felt amazing afterwards! It did take a little while for my toes to feel normal, but I think there must be some validity to this whole ice thermogenesis thing. 10/10 would recommend! I’ll definitely do it again. Plus, it felt very “Minnesotan” to do it, ha! It’s cool to have it right in our backyard, essentially, on Lake Harriet.
Sunday: 5.5 miles with Dustin.
And guess what? My sister Cresta saw my pictures from the ice dip and wanted to come try it too! So she and two of my nieces (tough girls!) joined Dustin and me again.
I made it just over a minute again; Dustin went for 90 seconds!
Cresta made it a minute; I think my nieces were around 30 seconds. It’s tough!
Summary: 45 miles, 3 strength training sessions, 2 ice baths!
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner Check it out!
Wow, thats so impressive that you made it over a minute in that ice bath! That’s a very cool concept and its great that you felt like it helped your legs!
Once the initial shock and breathing relaxes a bit, it’s tolerable. I mean, it’s right AT freezing temp, but on a lot of days, would technically be warmer than the air, I suppose!
I was shocked to see that Groundhog’s Day is this Tuesday! Let’s see if the groundhog sees his shadow 🙂
When 30 degrees feels warm, you know you’re in the midst of a cold Winter, lol.
Haha, yes, it feels very Minnesotan to say 30 degrees is warm 🙂
omg no way on the ice bath! I hate cold water. Good sports you all are!
I wouldn’t say I’m a fan either, ha!
Oh man that ice dip is just off the leash! You know I’d HAVE to try it! Haha! How is MN the place with less snow right now while it’s been piling up for days here??
Haha, exactly! It was fun to try!
I saw the ice bath photo on IG and showed it to my husband–we were amazed and entertained because it’s what people who live in cold places do! I love that someone set it up.
Nice week for you–I hope the snow stops for a while here. I’m feeling restrained from running!
Yes, we northwoods people got to find our kicks somewhere, ha!
Girl. That is about the craziest thing i have ever seen! There is just no way I could do it. My toes and fingers would freeze right off.
But omg the pictures! The memories! The experience! Amazing!
I loved your comment on Intragram, haha! It probably looks insane to a Florida gal!
That ice dip! Brrrr!!! I have done the outside selfies (after my indoor workouts), and those actually feel pretty good. They’re longer than a minute, but I’m also not submerged in freezing water LOL And, let’s not forget I’m one of those summer heat lovers 😉 Hey, we gotta make the best of the ridiculous cold weather, right?
I’m with you, I prefer the heat! But I’ve read a bit more about cold thermogenesis and its actually pretty good for you!
You are a total bad a$$ for the ice baths! I love fighting back against winter.
ha, exactly! Fighting back against winter 🙂
Ack! That ice bath!!! I think I might be able to tolerate it if I could get out into warm weather, but you live in Minnesota!!!!! Wasn’t it hard to warm up afterwards? Anyway you’ll have to tell us if it helped your recovery from the long run. It might become a regular Saturday thing for you!
It was pretty hard to have to throw on clothes and walk back to the car (on top of a slippery/icy lake!) and then try to warm up at home. Lots of layers on the couch with a hot cup of coffee!
OMG! I did swear by ice baths when I was training — but I did them at home, wearing a sweatshirt and holding a big mug of coffee! I did feel refreshed afterwards.
I have never actually done one at home! But I guess, if the great outdoors has an option, ha!
insane!!! but very (and literally) cool that you did the ice bath!! TWICE!
great mileage this week too!
Thanks Renee!
OMG, you got in it twice! I got very cold and shivered just looking at the pictures. 🙂 Great job this week on your runs. I don’t like running in the snow. And when I do I run very slow and not long.
I hear ya! Be careful on the snow, you guys got a lot this weekend!
Ice bath?! No!!!!!!!! Glad you enjoyed it, no way I would get in there.
Yeah, Bandit is not very fond of even walking in these temps. Basically we go out, and I tell my husband if he’s balky I’ll go on by myself & he can take Bandit home. Although even though it was very cold yesterday, I guess after 2 days of no walks (due to the cold) he was willing to tolerate it. 🙂
Great week of workouts!
It sounds like our dogs are ready for spring and summer 🙂
Oh my goodness, that ice bath is so cool! Thanks for sharing the pictures. My husband and I always stopped on our way home from our marathons to pick up a couple of bags of ice for a soak in our bathtub. It was cold, but always worth it. Full disclosure, I’d wear a sweatshirt on my top half.
Haha, same idea! Just a little colder maybe 🙂
oh wow!! I think I would have made it 10 seconds Very interesting, I’ve never seen that before. Maybe I should suggest it here. I’m sure someone here would love it!
I’m sure people would! It’s pretty popular.
Yikes! Just yikes! Rather you than me!
Ha!