Winter will never end.

I know I am being pessimistic, but I swear that every day it is more and more wintery, even though spring is allegedly one month away.



MORE SNOW

On Wednesday it was 15 degrees above zero when I went running. In the old days, when I was tough and young and forced to run outside, that would be no big deal. But I am older, and wiser, and have a gym membership, so it is hard to resist the siren call of the treadmill. But I did resist in favor of an outdoor run with my friend. She was done with clinic at noon and I don't work Wednesday afternoons anymore, so we got a nice 8 mile run in the sunshine! I think it took a little under an hour. We were slowed down because I guess no one in St. Paul shovels their sidewalk?! Lots of tiptoe running over ice patches and hurdling over snowbanks. I've seen people wearing those rubber straps on their shoes to help with the snow & ice but I've never tried them. Maybe they would help the slipping...



Tuesday's run was a treadmill run...I think I went about 6.5. I accidently hit the emergency stop button about one song in and I have no idea how far I had gone at that point, so I just ran 6 more miles. I took yesterday off because I had no time...I had book club to host! Our book this month was "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Normally I am a bad book club member and don't read the book but wow this one was so so good! It is about is an Olympic runner and his WWII experiences. It is a biography and I was amazed by the terrible things this man went through. I highly recommend the book.

What is your favorite book about running?
Ever try the shoe strap things? Yay or nay?

The BEST cross training

As someone who has had her fair share of running injuries, I know that cross training is important to give your body a break from running, while maintaining fitness. I've spent countless hours on the elliptical, aqua jogging and biking. Most of that time was spent cursing or crying. I mean seriously, the elliptical sucks. Don't lie and say you like it.

However. There is one form of cross training that I love, and that I will willingly give up a run to do instead. OF COURSE I'm talking about cross country (Nordic) skiing.

Look at that form! Actually don't, it's not a good example. 

If you are lucky enough to live in a state that snows enough to groom trails, I seriously recommend trying this exercise! Or come to Minnesota and try one of our lovely trails (I recommend Giant's Ridge).

Skate skiing is hard- there is a lot of technique involved, and you have to be able to put almost all your weight on one foot and glide, without falling. Classic skiing is a little easier, especially for runners, because it seems to use similar muscles and movements. In both techniques you get a full body workout. My arms were always jacked at the end of ski season and my cardiovascular fitness was off the charts.

I pretty much gave up skiing to run in college, and I didn't get out to ski more than two or three times in the past 6 years (pathetic!!). But last week some friends invited me to go, and now I am hooked all over again! I even talked Mr. B into going today. He struggled through about 4k and then hung out in the chalet while I did 5 more on my own. It feels so so good, and is a great workout in place of a run. Skiing uphill is way harder than running uphill but I think the fact that you can fly downhill makes up for it. Of course my hips/butt/ arms will be fired up tomorrow. But it was so worth it!!!

Oh high school Julia...where are the photos of you skate skiing??

Oh and I had my second personal training session yesterday- another fun workout, but I think I'm going to cancel my third. Call me naive, but I didn't realize that the whole "you won three sessions" was basically a sales pitch to try to get me to purchase a one year personal training contract (only $130 per month, for one day per week!). I'll just run on my own, thank you very much.

After personal training I ran about 7 miles with my friend Katie. She is a total stud and we have run thousands of miles together...and only have 4 more months to run together until she moves to Pittsburgh to be a doctor. How selfish.

Have you ever tried cross country skiing? What did you think?