Although today I am confronted by going back to work reality, yesterday was a busy and productive day on the home front as we tried to squeeze in as much as possible on our last day off. I was fortunate that Hubby took one for the team watched the kiddos so I was able to meet up early, but not too early, with the F’N Running Club for a Monday morning run. This was a total luxury for me because I am usually sitting on my ass at my desk early each Monday. The Monday morning New Year Crew: Julie, Joe, Jeni, Susan & Jennifer E.
I want to give a huge shout out to all of these runners, as well as sending them a great big THANK YOU for getting up and out of their cozy beds to come for a run. I laid in bed all night listening to the 50 mph winds and rain/sleet pelting the windows. When I got up it was snowing, we had freezing temps and MORE wind, so I was surprised that anyone besides Susan show up. Thanks, you crazy F’N Runners! I would have never been able to do it without you yesterday and had already copped out of my Jan 1 run due to wind/cold so I really needed this!
The temps were around 20 degrees in the early morn but felt much colder due to the wind. However, being on the trail, the trees provided us with a lot of wind cover and it really wasn’t bad after that first mile. It was snowing pretty good at times too but there wasn’t any accumulation, the trail was in good condition with good footing. Not too slippery.
Julie & Susan looking strong as they are approaching the turnaround: 
Joe, Julie & Me at the turnaround. 
The group ran between 3 and 7 miles at a leisurely pace. A few stops for road crossings and turnaround/meet-ups. I never stop my watch cuz I will forget to restart it so I had 7.01 miles in 1:10:48. Great run!
After my car defrosted from the snow and ice which had accumulated during our run, I returned home and hubby and I set up my dining workout room again. The workout equipment had been evicted to the basement while trying to fruitlessly sell the house, then to make room for Tacky Christmas. I am back in business now! 
I even managed to squeeze in some bike miles and a short weight workout during Michael’s nap! 
So the NEW year is going strong for me so far. I am trying to refocus on fresh foods and veggies to lose those extra 5 lbs, core/weight work, and more cross training. I am sore today so something must be working.
Are you off to a good start this year? Are you doing anything different or just refocusing on some good habits which may have fallen to the way side over the holidays?
Think and BE Healthy this year!
Amanda – TooTallFritz
TooTallFritz 
Nice set up!
I did my first ever circuit weights workout with Kate LF. I’m happy and surprised with how much I was able to lift! I’m trying to focus more on cross training and weight lifting to help increase my speed and give me that extra umph for the last mile or so. Half marathon training officially starts in February (according to Hal Higdon’s intermediate plan) and I will be ready for it! 🙂
Congrats for a strong start to 2012 as well!
Go Kelly!! You are doing great now and will kill your half! Are you doing Palos?
Thanks Amanda! Yes, I’m doing the Palos half! My goal is to run a sub 2 hour. (But would really love it if race conditions were ideal and I was able to run 1:45) I’m also doing the Rock N Roll, but I was hoping to run it with a friend and plan on doing it just for fun.
This is way more helfupl than anything else I’ve looked at.
Amanda,
Great start for the new year!! Love the workout room! Where did you get that stand for your bike, I love that? I was able to start the year off well also, Sunday in the wind/snow/ice/mud ran swallow cliff for 12.12 miles….I felt it in the legs yesterday…..ran from RFK in the evening in the wind/cold, 4.50 miles and my legs were sore…….which is a good feeling!!?! Marathon training starts this Saturday for Illinois!!
Have a Happy New Year, with NO injuries!!!
Judy
The stand for the bike is called a “trainer” so you can ride inside on your real bike thru the bad weather. I buy all my bike stuff that doesn’t come from the Trek Store at Performance Bike. I use the performance bike website…..if you don’t like the price today, look again tomorrow! If you have a good bike, then you need a fluid trainer. I bought the cheapest one, which I believe was $139 several years ago. Don’t forget the block that goes under the front tire too or you will be using a phone book to prop the front of your bike up for while (like I did!). Here is the link to the trainers: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10052&langId=-1&sortBy=Dollar+Rank%2F%2F1&searchType=categoryId&searchTerm=400037&beginIndex=0&pageSize=16&ipState=c0%3Di%253A1%253B1%253Biphrase%2Bbundle%2Btaxonomy%2Bid%2Bfrom%2Broot%253B400037%253B%253A400037%253B1%252C1%253B0%26q%3D16%26a1%3Diphrase%2Bbundle%2Btaxonomy%252F%252Fv%253A0%26p%3D2%26a0%3Diphrase%2Brelevance%252F%252Fv%253A0%26i%3Dsitemap%2Bid%26k0.0%3D400037%26qt%3D1325606143%26qid%3Dq63C5FAnqWaOm%26vid%3Dvg2xqSnZCr5tv%26ioe%3DUTF-8%26s2%3Dsitemap%2Bid%252F%252F1%26qtid%3Dq6Vxv2enRejNe%26s1%3Diphrase%2Brelevance%252F%252F0%26rid%3Drm5jtJg0c9nQi%26s0%3DDollar%2BRank%252F%252F1%26t%3D0%26m0%3Diphrase%2Bbundle%2Bid%26mcmode%3Dtest&cn1=&categoryId=400037
I came, I read this atcrile, I conquered.
Too many compliments too little space, thkans!
That’s a sharp way of thniking about it.
The winds were brutal earlier this week! Kudos to you F’N Runners for getting out there (PS – LOVE the club name! lol) And I have total bike envy. I need a new bike so badly…
Jess – I have treadmill envy of you! You not only HAVE a treadmill but bought one with the iFit Live. I am a huge JM fan! On the bike note, I purchased one off the end of the year clearance. It’s a low level TRI bike. I bought from Trek cuz there is a store about 40 min from my house and they can help me service it. I wanted a Felt but didn’t want to have to go to the CHI for maintanence.
That hits the target preefctly. Thanks!
I had to get back to reality today too – I did manage to drag myself out of bed at 6AM for a pre-work swim. Always pleasant when it is 18 degrees out!
Looking forward to following!
This wesbtie makes things hella easy.
Wonderful elxpaatnion of facts available here.
You’ve ralley impressed me with that answer!
As soon as I detected this web site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
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