Okay. I don’t know how those of you who live in places where winter weather is the norm do it. We’ve only been dealing with snow and ice for three days and I am over it. The winter weather is driving me to extreme actions.
- Yesterday I bought a space heater because all the classes like to attend at my yoga studio keep getting canceled.
- After practicing ashtanga for four out of the last five days I was so desperate to get cardio in today I briefly considered running outside. The streets didn’t seem that bad. Then Brandon told me he fell on the sidewalk walking from his office to the courthouse this morning. And then I came home from work to find an ambulance and fire truck on my street. One of my neighbors had fallen and broken her ankle. Obviously, I realized my running idea was not a bright one.
- Instead of running, I met Sarah at the Y for a cardio strength class. I voluntarily jumped rope, did burpees and box jumps. I was kind of disappointed in the class so Sarah and I hit the elliptical for about 25 minutes after so we could get more cardio in and chat. I don’t think I’ve been on an elliptical in over a year. Who am I?
- I thought my normal routine could resume tomorrow morning with a 6 a.m. ashtanga class. Yeah, no. Brandon and I just muted the TV because we heard a terrible noise outside.
You’ll notice headlights way off in the distance. That would be another car stuck on our street. Early morning travel to ashtanga doesn’t seem like the best idea now.
The good news is that my BodyPump class tomorrow evening is definitely a go and temperatures are finally supposed to warm up enough to melt this mess this weekend. AND we’re planning an overnight trip to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina this weekend where the temperatures are supposed to be in the 50s and sunny. BRING IT.
I was consoled tonight by what is possibly the ultimate comfort food.
Breakfast for dinner!
I had an egg scramble with one egg, an egg white, portobello mushrooms, diced yukon gold potato, spinach, sundried tomatoes and goat cheese. Great Harvest Dakota and a sliced orange on the side.
Off to read in bed. I’m reading What We Keep by Elizabeth Berg. I really need to work on getting through more of The Heart of Yoga tonight but I need some mindless easy reading instead.
What are you reading right now? I am always on the hunt for good books. Recently, a friend recommended a memoir about yoga, Poser: My Life In Twenty-Three Yoga Poses. I want to check this out after I finish all of my required yoga reading.
As someone sitting at -19C (-2F) and quite happy about it… you just *live* differently when you have winter all the time. I own spikes for running! Layers! And I cross-country ski! I have the right equipment to make snow and cold fun and funner (ha ha!), which would be silly for you to have, of course. I used to let winter beat me, but I joined it, and now, I wouldn’t want to live without it!
(And I’m reading Iain Pears’ _Stone’s Fall_. I’m having trouble getting into it.) 🙂
Great point – having all the proper equipment makes dealing with snow and ice much more manageable. I totally don’t mind bundling up to run in cold temps but it’s the ice that scares me. I love that you have embraced winter workouts and made them work for you! 🙂
Sometimes, I think all of you that get time off because of the snow are lucky. We get no time off for snow here in Houston because there is no snow. Breakfast for dinner is the best! I’m ready Born to Run 🙂
Brittaney – snow is a major event around here because we get it so rarely. When it happens, everything shuts down! My mom lived in Houston for a while – I enjoyed visiting her there! I’ve heard great things about “Born to Run.” I’ll have to check it out. I received “Once A Runner” for Christmas and need to dig into that too!
Right now I’m reading a book from the Ce-Yo of Stonyfield Farm. It’s all about making money and practicing business while still being green and sustainable. It’s really good! I’m on the “green team” at my company so I’m getting some ideas.
I’m from Boston and while I do enjoy the snow, I do not like having to deal with the ice. If I never had to drive through icy conditions again, I would be happy 🙂
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was an excellent read.
Sorry you are trapped inside 🙁
At least you will have a fun weekend!
I am going through the same cardio withdrawl as you. I still couldn’t get into work yesterday and apparently today temps aren’t getting above freezing again. It’s making me crazy!
I just finished “Room.” I read it in just over 24 hours, it was SO good. I’d highly recommend it!
Seriously, Tracy. The lack of cardio options is killing me. I haven’t run in a week and a half!!! I will definitely check out “Room.” I really want to find a book that I can’t put down! 🙂
It’s crazy snow here, but in NY I suppose we’re used to it – and since I workout in the gym, it’s not too bad. The best book I read last year was The Devil & Sherlock Holmes – short stories, non-fiction.
Tanya – thanks for the book suggestion. Sounds like something fun and different!
I’m so sick of the cold and snow too. 50s and sun sounds wonderful — enjoy! I’m currently reading a few running books but Born to Run is on my nightstand. I can’t wait to dig into that…I heard it’s amazing!
Kristy – I received “Once A Runner” for Christmas and I’m excited to read that book! I’ll have to check out “Born to Run” too.
We have snow and ice here too, and as a beginning runner, it’s really bringing me down! I want to get out there, but it’s just not safe.
I’m currently reading Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children. Probably not of interest to you right now 🙂 However, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri is a recent favorite. It’s a book of short stories, which is perfect when you only have a little time here and there to read.
Have fun in Charleston. Such a beautiful place!
Erin – I hear you on the not safe concern. As tempted as I am to just go out there and try to run anyway, I know I’d be so mad at myself if I ended up falling and hurting myself. Thanks for the book suggestions! And yes, I love Charleston. One of my happy places! 🙂
Having lived in the midwest and now in Ontario, I really believe that the weather is so relative. We get buckets of snow all the time, but our city also has a lot of stuff in place to deal with that (salt trucks, a bunch of plows, even the path in the park where I run gets plowed). I also NEVER run in ice and snow without YakTrax. They’re worth it for me because I use them every time I run in the winter (I almost never run inside – treadmills make me motion sick). But those are all things you sort of have to be prepared for.
That said, this week I’ve definitely felt OVER the winter weather, too. I’m ready to run without so many layers on. 🙂
Abby – I agree with you that having proper equipment to deal with the conditions makes all the difference. I definitely don’t mind bundling up to run in cold temperatures but ice is just scary. I also can’t WAIT to throw on shorts and a tank and go run!
I felt the same way when DC got blasted with snow last year. The gym kept closing, classes were cancelled and no one has shovels or plows so the sidewalks and streets were super dangerous for running for days. I hope it gets better soon for you!
I know! Even though all the main roads are okay the sidewalks and secondary roads are still WAY too sketchy for running. The gym finally opened back up but all the cardio machines are slammed (and I just don’t enjoy them!). It’s no fun!
You’re going to Charleston? Come see me finish the marathon!! LOL!
Yes – we booked a weekend trip a couple months ago! We’re leaving early Saturday. What time do you think you’ll finish and where is the finish line!!!??? You know I’ll come see you if I can!
I’ll email you with the links 😉
Ugh, sounds like a mess. Makes me happy that I’m in Florida sometimes.
Have fun in Charleston! I love it there! 😀
Ugh… I am so over this weather too, and ready to get back outside again! I might brave the sidewalks later. Hopefully I won’t break anything. Your pictures with the new camera are looking great! Have a great weekend.
Hello! I’m in Iowa, and right now we have a couple inches of old snow on the ground, and some slushy mushy streets and sidewalks–and it was 0F when I walked to work this morning! I really dislike the winter and hate being cold, and I used to start going to a gym once the cooler temps rolled around, but this year I decided to keep running outside. It’s been a little hard at times, but overall I’ve enjoyed so much more than I thought I would!
I also recently took my first (and then second!) yoga class, and part of my inspiration was due to your descriptions of your practice and how much you benefit from it–so thanks! I enjoy reading your blog a lot.
I am currently reading the new bio of Cleopatra, and listening to a Henning Mankell mystery. Before that, I read Susan Casey’s ‘The Wave’ and it was great!
Amen to being OVER the ice and snow. I finally hit the gym this morning after being locked up with my three little sweeties all week. It was heavenly to break a good sweat! Have a fabulous time in Charleston- you never know, some of the good restaurants might have cancellations and could squeeze you in if you walk up and ask. If you can spring for it, McCrady’s is probably the most amazing dining experience we’ve ever had. We went for our 10th anniversary last year and nearly cried it was so good!
I just finished reading “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave. It’s a very moving book and I think there’s talk it may be made into a movie. You should check it out if you have some time. I couldn’t put it down!
Too funny you’re reading “What We Keep” right now. The quote below is from the book and it’s one of my favorites. I actually used to have it listed in the About Me section on facebook! (Clearly this was when I was still in the loving Catalina days! 😉 )
‘i am probably the only one in the world who likes airline food. i appreciate the inventive garnishes, the only-for-you serving sizes. i like the taste of the salad dressings. when the entree is something like pizza, i think, well isn’t that the cutest thing. naturally, i don’t admit this to anyone.’
I’m reading the most interesting book right now and even thought about you for it…you would really appreciate what the author has to say about eating habits. “The Beauty Detox Solution” by Kimberly Snyder. It’s all about toxins in the body and how eating more of a plant-based diet minus all the protein from meat can actually save your skin, replenish your hair, give you more energy and a healthier body from the inside-out.