12 Hours

For the last two weeks I have been in a winter-induced fog o' gloom. And I am sick of it. So I've put a time limit on it - 12 more hours. When the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. on March 1, 2011, I am going to turn my frown upside down and get all Pollyanna on winter's ass. So there.

My running has been a victim of the gloom (and the craptastic weather, and my 3 year old getting sick). But instead of focusing on all the things that completely sucked about February, let's practice Pollyannaing (not a word? oh well) and look at the good:

I biked 56 miles on the trainer (up from a big fat 0 in November, December, and January).

I swam 3 miles in the pool (up from 1.5 in January).

I worked out practically every day (only took 4 rest days, significant improvement over December and January).

Also, let's not forget the Packer's winning the Super Bowl.

See, there were some good things that happened this month. Sort of (just a little bit) takes the sting out of the measly 25 miles I ran.

Single Layer Slushfest

Just when you all thought you couldn't take one more second of my bitching about the cold weather . . . my complaining is on hiatus. I won't call it gone for good because who knows when the cold could return. But for today, I am happy to say that it was a balmy 36 degrees when I went for my after work run. So I *gasp* did not wear my Under Armour tights under my Nike winter pants. And I *double gasp* did not wear my base layer turtle neck under my zip up top. And, wait for it, I didn't wear a hat.

I felt sort of exposed. And my Nike pants scratching against my leg hairs (What? Don't tell me I'm the only one who doesn't shave every day in the winter) felt a bit odd. Wonderful odd.

We ran my favorite 4.5 mile route from my office - out to the golf course, around a little loop, and back. It is pavement (which was clear!) all the way to the golf course, and then dirt. The dirt was a melty, mucky mess. My running partner's son ran with us and he runs in Vibram Five Fingers (sidenote: I almost just typed Four Fingers. You know, for all the four-toed folks.). Of course because he is young, he runs like a speedy little gazelle. So it was like following in the footsteps of a Yeti through the slushy snow.

Yeti, leg hair . . . yep, this post got a little weird. Sorry. Time to get to bed (so I can get up early and swim!).

Marriage 101

Here's some free advice for you: communication is important in relationships (including marriage). Behold an exchange from my house ("E" is my husband, "H" is yours truly):

E: Are you going to bowl in the tournament Sunday?
H: Well what time is at? I need to do my long run sometime.
E: Long run? What are your talking about.
H: You know, running, for a long time. For training.
E: What the hell marathon are you training for now.
H; Fargo . . . and Grandma's.
E: Thanks for sharing.
H: Don't you read my blog???

Move over Dr. Phil, I've got this ALL figured out.

I Win, You Win, We All Win

Okay, not we all. One of you. And me. First, congrats to Rose. You are the winner of my CafePress giveaway. E-mail mee at hmwynn at gmail dot com to claim your valuable prize. And thanks again to CafePress for sponsoring the giveaway!

Now, onto me. I was lucky enough to win B.o.B's Arctic Ease giveaway. I am so excited about this because, as you may have heard me mention once or twice, I live in the freaking Arctic. So I am assuming that a product called "Arctic Ease" will help ease the pain of nearly freezing to death for three months and counting. I have already been checking my mailbox 20 times a day for my little gift to arrive.

It's supposed to get all steamy (like up to the 30's) this weekend, so I may be able to live without my Arctic Ease for a few more days. I haven't run since last Friday (good marathon training, right?), so I am eager to hit the (snow covered) road. Have a great weekend.

2011 Firsts

The last week or so has been full of "firsts" for the year. Last Saturday Sophie and I both ran our first race of the year at the Chisago Lakes 5K (and kid's race for Sophie, of course).

And then Monday I ran my first speed workout of the year. Or tried. It was snow/sleeting - let's just call it sneeting - and freaking cold. At one point I screamed "this makes me want to murder someone!" Public service announcement: do not cross me during winter hard workouts. Apparently I get violent.

Friday I ran my first double digit run of the year - a 10 miler as my first long run for Fargo training. Although the run was much better than Monday's speed work, it was still cold and windy. The side of my face exposed to the wind for four straight miles was completely numb. I had trouble forming words.

Friday night and Saturday I warmed up with a fun girls' weekend away - so much fun! I did fit in some exercise (laps in a hotel pool counts, right?). Tonight was supposed to be speed work again but, wait for it, it was freaking cold and windy. So I opted for 45 minutes on the bike trainer and 20 minutes of pilates. Which is sort of like 800 repeats. Or not.

Cafe Press Review and Giveaway

A while back I was contacted by CafePress to see if I would like to try something from their site (and of course offer something to my readers). I was so excited because I have been wanting a SIGG water bottle FOREVER and of course would want a free one.

For those of your who aren't familiar,
"CafePress is the online destination for custom water bottles, personalized hoodies, and funny t-shirts!"

When I started my water bottle search, I got a little distracted by all the great t-shirts. But I settled on a white SIGG bottle with swim, bike run on it. I love it. I've been using it for kettlebells classes and in the water bottle holder of my bike on my trainer rides.

Now YOU can have a chance to select a gift from CafePress. Just leave a comment. I'll draw a winner on Tuesday. Thanks to Chris from CafePress for being so great to work with, and for the water bottle!

(Even though I received the SIGG water bottle for free, my opinions are all my own.)

Have a great weekend!

Snatch Queen

For those of you who aren't indoctrinated into the wonderful world of kettlebells, the snatch is an integral kettlebell move during which you basically fling the bell up above your head and then back down again. Don't try this at home, without supervision anyway.

So last night at kettlebells class I was doing my thing, snatching away, and the instructor said "If you have any problems, just look how Heather is doing it - perfect."

So there you have it. I am the queen. Of snatch. They really should figure out a better name for some of these damn exercises.

In other news, I registered for Twin Cities today. So yep, I'm going for three marathons in 2011 - Fargo, Grandma's and Twin Cities. At my monthly visit to the chiropractor today I told her of my grand plans for the spring, summer, and fall. Her response: Do you have some sort of mental problem? Excellent question.