We somehow made it through another week of what is turning out to be a cruel winter season. In true Chicago fashion, the weather has been all over the place. Monday and Tuesday were partly cloudy with highs in the mid-30s, which is pretty typical for this time of year. I ran 8.1 miles outside on Monday, which was very tolerable for this life-long Chicagoan. I worked a 12-hour shift on Tuesday, so no outdoor run for me on that day.
Wednesday was unusually warm, sunny with a high of 55º. And as many Chicagoans do, people were outside in shorts and short sleeves. I myself am not that crazy, but I did shed an extra layer or two. I had signed up for the Strava Lululemon 40K | 80K Challenge, and with 14.2 miles and 6 days to go, I wanted to take advantage of the warm weather. So I headed out the door at 11:00 a.m. for what would be my first run of the day, clocking 6.7 miles. I had to get home for a conference call, but by 3:30 p.m. I was at it again for another 5.2 miles. Wind and rain were predicted for the following day, and I wanted to get my miles in while I could.
As predicted, Thursday morning was windy and rainy and I was glad I did my two runs the day before. But the weekend weather reports were coming in, and they were not looking pretty. By Friday morning the temperature was going to drop by 40 YES FORTY degrees! I was not looking forward to another run in temperatures in the teens. I was watching the weather radar throughout the day and found a one-hour pocket of no rain, so when the time came, I high-tailed it out the door for a 5.4 mile run. That brought my total to 53.1 miles (85.5K) in 10 days, enough to complete the challenge. I hadn’t run this much in such a short period of time in months, but I signed up for the challenge and Mother Nature be damned, I was going to complete it. Kudos to all who completed their miles in icy cold conditions in the days to follow. I think any of us who completed this challenge in areas where the weather was not cooperative should get a special prize!
Anywho, as I mentioned last week, I’ve set some goals for myself for 2018, including getting back to strength training. So with the challenge complete, I hit the (home) gym for a quick session. Nothing too intense as I haven’t lifted weights in a long time, but enough that my quads are feeling it today. It’s 20º and snowing right now, so I am debating my plan for the day. I bought a pair of Yaktrax yesterday and with the snow coming down, I may just have to take them for a spin!
How was your week? Do you run in any type of traction spikes? Share your experience! Congrats to all of you who completed the Strava Lululemon 40|80 Challenge! I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
You were smart to finish that challenge while the temperatures were still moderate. I am really not feeling well today after running long in the cold this weekend. Hopefully, a couple days of rest will help. I agree with you, there should be special prizes for us cold weather peeps! The California and Florida people have it easy. Yes, I”m bitter… :p
Ugh. Sorry you’re not feeling well. I saw you did 10 and could only think, “BRRRRR!” I hope it’s nothing. I agree there should be some differentiation in the challenge for those of us in colder climates. Maybe less miles or longer time to complete them? Feel better!
Ha! We’ve had the same weather here. If it’s snowy or icy I usually wear my yacktraxs. I love them, they make a big difference for me.
I can’t wait to try them. The snow is still falling and I am still sitting at my computer…
It’s good that you were able to finish the challenge before the snow. I’m already so over this weather and it’s only mid-January!
I couldn’t agree more!
Your home gym is amazing. I need more equipment for mine!
Thanks! When we built our house almost 25 years ago we partitioned off a part of our basement as a bedroom. We’ve never needed it for that, so in retrospect I wish we would have made it a larger space. There are a few more things I would love to add but just don’t have the room for.
Good for you for getting your miles in when you could, and congrats on completing the challenge! That’s the thing about runners (like farmers), we learn to watch the weather so we’re on top of things and can get out when the weather is the most forgiving.
It looks like you’ve got a really nice home gym!
As my grandfather used to say, if you want to know the weather, look out the window! My home gym has unfortunately been underutilized as of late. Hoping to change that in the new year!
Winter Running Rollercoaster is such an accurate phrase – I love it! I was happy to get in all my runs outdoors last week while we had a break in the below freezing weather.
You’re home gym is awesome by the way!
Thanks so much! Unfortunately I spend far too little time in it!
I have not given in and bought Yak Trax (yet). If I ran on actual trails more often (or at least in the winter), I’d definitely have more of a need. I’m on the streets/sidewalks…so I don’t think they’d be a great option for me. I have heard great things about them, though.
I bought a S/M, but they seem like they are going to be a bit too small. I’m going to try to exchange them for a larger size before I test them out.
We’ve had the same crazy weather. 60 degrees and then 10 degrees.
I don’t wear any traction which makes it hard to find a place to run in the winter.
I wanted to do the strava challenge but I only wear my Garmin during races so I couldn’t add my mikes.
I wouldn’t have been outside in this crazy weather if it wasn’t for the requirement that all runs be outdoor. That’s interesting you don’t wear a Garmin on your regular runs. Do you find that you are faster or slower compared to the races where you do wear it?
We have had the crazy weather here too. We should both feel great about completing the Lulu challenge with these temps. Now I know I can run in anything
Well, I guess the whole world’s gone crazy, so why not the weather?! Congrats to you on finishing the challenge! What doesn’t kill you…
Great week! I love your home gym!
Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to enjoying it more this year!
Wow I love your home gym! I need to clear out our garage to make room for one. I can’t imagine running in frigid weather. Been spoiled living in San Diego!
I think the gym looks much better in the photo than it really is, but it’s more than enough to get a good workout it! I would love to live somewhere where the weather is beautiful year-round, but I do love living in Chicago for so many other reasons!
Why can’t this weather just stabilize alreadY???
I was able to complete 40K of the 40|80 challenge and I am pretty thrilled with that, seeing as how I only had one week to do it with our vacation plans “in the way.”
No need for traction here. It’s in the 30s but we dont’ get icy roads or snow.
Congrats on finishing the challenge! This is the first one I’ve done. I wonder if they do them in the summer. I would be all over that!
It is really hard to get your runs in around these crazy weather swings! Gad you got yours done.
I was so very happy to get it done! Where there’s a will…
I love your home gym! I am trying to strength train more as well. I’ve never used traction spikes but my best friend lives in Alaska sent me a picture of hers she got for Christmas!
I can’t imagine needing to run in the spikes all the time, but I do like having them available just in case.
Your weather patterns look a lot like ours (just much warmer here). I swear we can have a 30-40 degree difference from one day to the next!
It’s just so crazy. Makes it hard to plan you week!
I need to get back into strength, too! I have trouble sticking to a program because I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as running
I’m having trouble getting back into it. I need to look at some good training plans.
Here in Virginia we’ve been on the weather roller coaster train as well. I’m ready for some consistency with the weather. Warmer is better in my book. 🙂
That’s for sure!
Congrats on finishing the challenge and yes, you deserve an extra prize with the way the weather has been here. I toyed with a spring marathon but, given these conditions, it looks like it’ll have to wait until fall.
We don’t even have it as bad as so many others. It’s just horrible on the east coast right now!
Congrats for getting all the miles in for the Strava challenge – and in 10 days no less! I did a long run on New Years Day, thinking it would count. No. Plus I tapered some for a half marathon so I only got in 55k. I’ll have to plan better next year. You have a very nice home gym! Thanks for linking.
Thanks! I didn’t run on January 1 on purpose because I knew it wouldn’t count. Ha!