The buzz began almost a week ago. Central PA would be hit by a significant snow storm. Rumors swirled that an accumulation would range between six inches and two feet.
As the week went on, it became more apparent that we would be hit with snow on Friday evening and it would not stop until late Saturday evening.
While I was excited at the prospect of our first snowfall, I was also dismayed about how panicked the media was about this storm. It was as if Central PA never had a snow storm before! The local news was showing people stocking up on milk, bread, bottled water... Really? It looked like the only day we would be stuck inside was Saturday. That's one day! I had everything I needed for one day indoors: books, puzzles, wine, and KITTIES! The snow started Friday afternoon. By Saturday morning, we were blanketed! It was clear we may be stuck inside for more than a day!
The snowfall did not stop until after 7pm. Official measurement at HIA was 28.5 inches. Here is what it looked a couple hours before the snow was winding down...
There is a car in this picture that you just can't see.
It's almost as high as our fence!
I went outside to shovel and after a little while my neighbor came and did my whole driveway with his snowblower! It was so nice of him. It saved me at least an hour and a half! Pretty much everything shut down on Saturday- even the USPS. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring. I am not a fan of driving in snow, so I have a feeling I will be inside again. If you do venture out, be careful!
Do people in your area panic when there is a storm? How much snow did you get? What is your favorite thing to do when stranded inside?
This was an interesting week for me. I did a little bit of everything and I am happy about that! I have been feeling a little "meh" about running so I need to find some ways to switch things up... I'm working on it!
Saturday-5 mile run/hike at Swatara State Park.I only ran about 1 mile, as this was not so much of a workout but more of a fun day with Paul! We were so tired when we were done hiking.
Sunday- 8 miles. I planned to do three, but three turned into five, five turned into six, and so on... I just kept feeling better as the run went on, and if my headphones hadn't shit the bed at mile four, I would have probably done ten miles that day! It was very strange to have such a great run.
Then I did something I rarely do- I lifted on the same day as I ran! I used lighter weights than normal because I wanted to do all major upper body muscle groups and get it done relatively quickly. With lighter weights, I can do more reps and have less recovery in between.
Chest Press- 4x15x20lb
Chair Asst. Pull Ups- 4x15
Row- 4x12x20lb
Push Ups- 4x10
Bicep curl and press- 4x8x15lb
Band Asst. Wide Grip Pull Ups- 1x10, 1x8, 2x6
Monday-Speed (ish) session on the treadmill for a total of 5 miles. It was really cold out and since Paul was going to grocery shop right next to the gym, I figured I could get a quick workout in while he did that. Here is what I did: 1 mile @ 8:27 1 mile @ 8:00 1/2 mile @ 7:41 1/2 mile @ 7:30 1/2 mile @ 7:13 1 mile @ 6:58 1/4 mile @ 7:41 1/4 mile @ 8:00 I generally HATE the treadmill, but since I am bored and stuck in a rut, I wanted to try something DIFFERENT. Tuesday- Real feel = -4 meant...
I did a very similar workout to Sunday but added some ab stuff.
Wednesday- I went to the GYM! AGAIN!? Again. Treadmill. 6 miles. BAM!!!
I tend to play around with the speed while on the treadmill. Pretty much every treadmill run I do turns into a progression run with a cool down. After my cool down, I walked for a quarter mile because I knew it would be good for me, but that was torture! Thursday-I fully intended to stay inside and lift, but it was a toasty 17 degrees so I hit the streets. I didn't notice that there was a dusting of snow until I went outside. It was just the kind of snow that makes me nervous- a thin layer that looked really slippy. It actually was not slippy at all, but I was still careful
Avg Pace: 8:35
Splits: 8:43, 8:31. 8:36. 8:36. 8:31
This was a nice, relaxing, easy run that I actually thoroughly enjoyed! Friday- We were supposed to get a snowstorm Friday night and all day Saturday, so I figured I better get my run in while I could! I took it to the streets, even though it was bitter cold. I had a good podcast and just plodded along. I was surprised at the end of my run to see I was hitting some good paces.
Avg Pace: 8:11
Splits: 8:20, 8;15, 8:06, 8:19, 7:57
How were your workouts this week? When was the last time you were on a treadmill? (My estimation for myself is probably 8 months!)
Heather @ Girl Goes Running does a Friday 5, and today I am doing one too! Thanks for the inspiration, Heather! Not only are you an inspiring runner, but you're an inspiring blogger as well!
1. Paul found my wedding ring! Remember how I lost it? Well, I put off ordering a new one because it would be my THIRD wedding ring (This is the second time I lost it.) I am glad I procrastinated in regards to this matter because last week, Paul found my ring on the floor of his closet under a pair of jeans. WTH? Also, please don't think I spend tons of money on my wedding ring(s). My running shoes (when not on sale) cost more than my ring, if that gives you an idea! 2. I am going to the dentist. I finally made a dentist appointment. I have been putting it off for over a year. It could be two years. I am not proud of it. I am not having any issues, I just need a teeth cleaning- the kind you are supposed to get every six months! I do not have any cavities, but I also realize skipping the dentist is not the way to go about things if I want to keep my mouth cavity free! Ugh, we all have that stuff we put off, right? 3. Got a minute? Hop on over to Budget and the Beach Tonya's post from a few weeks ago: 15 Traits of a Strong Woman. I really enjoyed it and it prompted me to do some self reflection! 4. No means NO!This week, I said NO to something. I am so glad that I did. I was worried that it wasn't the answer the other person wanted to hear, but guess what? TOO BAD! I'm too old to deal with crap like that. Actually, I did feel bad at first, but then I coaxed myself to be a big girl and get over it. Sometimes I still need to work on that part! 5. Snow! Central PA is supposed to get a HUGE snow storm tonight and all day tomorrow. Don't worry, I am ready!
Any doctors appointments you tend to put off? Is the snow going to hit you? Are you able to say NO when you really want to?
I feel like I just wrote about this topic or have been dancing around it for awhile. I love running, but lately, I have just been feeling... MEH. I have no motivation to do tempo runs, speed training, long runs, or basically anything other than just my 5 standard miles. And even then, I feel like I am doing it just to do it.
I know, I know, I know...
Not every run is going to feel good.
There will be periods when I just don't feel like running.
This is all okay!
There are a myriad of reasons I may be suffering from this running funk. These are the reasons I came up with off the top of my head: 1. I am sick of running around my 'hood. 2. It's cold and dark out. 3. I'm always alone with my podcasts. I'm not going to allow myself to wallow in this funk for too much longer! I love running, and I long to look forward to my runs and enjoy my time out there. I have been thinking of ways to make running more fun... 1. Run trail on the weekends. I love the trail, and I felt so alive on Saturday when I was with Paul at Swatara. 2. Reconnect with running friends for long runs. The Last Man Standing reminded me how much fun it is to run with people. 3. Go to the gym and run on the treadmill. Okay, that sounds like the opposite of what someone in a running rut might do, but I seriously just need something DIFFERENT! I was at Planet Fitness on Sunday and Wednesday. Both runs were stuffy and smelly, but I felt strong. Hopping on the treadmill once or twice a week could motivate me to do tempo and speed stuff. Just maintenance- nothing crazy. 4. Run some races- FOR FUN- on the weekends. I have some ideas, but I'm not saying anything since I have commitment issues with races. But hopefully there will be some "Surprise! I ran a race!" posts in the near future.
Do you have any other ideas to get me out of my running rut? How is your running going these days?
When I started my blog, I thought I would talk about running, fitness, and food 90% of the time and "other things" such as my personal life the other 10%. After a quick scan of my blog posts from the last two months, it looks like slightly less than half of my posts were running or fitness related. At least half the time, I just pop on here to shoot the shit with all of you! There are several reasons my blog morphed into so much more than just a running/fitness blog. For starters, I love running, but running is not my LIFE. I am a runner, but that is not my identity. There are so many other things I have to share! Also, I love writing and trying to be humorous in my stories, and that is easier to do when I have all kinds of topics to choose from! I'm sure another reason I branched out is that I blog every. damn. day. I don't think I could talk about running and fitness every day! Well, maybe I could, but it would be boring. I used to give a lot of advice in the early days of my blog. I feel like over the past year especially, I have stopped giving advice. The older I get and the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know ANYTHING. All I know is what works for me. I know that sounds stupid coming from a personal trainer, but it's truly how I have been feeling these days! My blog is called Meg Go Run and I will never change the name! But in honor of all of the other things I do on any given day besides running, here are some honorable mention titles for my blog!
Bloggers: Is your blog the same blog it started out as?
Happy Tuesday! A four day work week is definitely something to be excited about!
I hope you all had a great weekend, and the good news is that January (my least favorite month) is almost over!!!
My day at school was one of those magical days where all the kids were engaged and I felt like I was a really good teacher, but mostly because they were being really good students. When I got home, I showered and changed so I looked cute to go out to eat with Paul. We had a gift card to an Italian place. The food was DELISH and we cleaned our plates.
Lobster ravioli!
Spaghetti and meatballs!
After dinner, we stopped at Giant for some essentials.
It is important to look your best when shopping for cat toys.
We were home before 8 o'clock, and the rest of my night is best encapsulated in this picture:
We had a great Saturday morning! We dragged our butts out of bed and went out for breakfast. Then we hiked at Swatara State Park. You can read more about our adventure here!
We got home just in time to shower and head over to my brother and SIL's house for a birthday get together for my Daddio!
Dad, Ellie, and Clementine
She is so cute!
Make a wish, Daddio!
Ellie gives her Grandpa the card she made.
Dad got Paul a mini foosball table he refurbished.
Wait, I thought Dad was supposed to be getting the presents?
Every time I go to my brother's, I try to get better at basketball.
I am still really bad at it.
For his birthday, I offered to pay my dad's entry to the Capital 10 Miler. The race is at the beginning of April, so I thought it would be a fun one for us to run. I didn't sign him up though because I'm not going to sign someone up for a race without asking them first! I told him to think about it, and if he doesn't want to run it, we can find another one to do.
I actually had a good run on Sunday morning, which is surprising because most of my runs lately have been a big fat "MEH". More on that in a later post... But I had planned to do 3 miles and it turned into 8 miles! Then I did something strange- I lifted. I rarely run and lift on the same day but I was due.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and finishing this big boy I started the night before. 1,000 pieces in less than 24 hours! It's a puzzle PR!
MONDAY BONUS DAY!
Taking home a huge paycheck is not one of the perks of teaching- but having federal holidays off is one of the perks. Having this extra day was wonderful. I wish I could work four 10 hour days and have three day weekends all the time. I would totally do it.
I did something very strange on Monday... I went to the gym. I hadn't been there since the beginning of July. Ever since I got a lot more weights, I've been lifting at home. And I rarely run on the treadmill because I dislike it so much.
However, it was freezing on Monday, and I was sick of just running around my neighborhood. I needed something different, even if that meant running on the dreadmill. Paul was going to grocery shop next door so I thought it would be perfect to do a little speed session on the treadmill while he did that.
My workout actually went great! I swear, it is so much easier running on the treadmill than outside. It is just more boring and HOT in the gym.
After my workout, I sneaked over to the Dollar Tree to stock up on puzzles. I made out like a bandit- 11 puzzles!!!!!
I swear I have pants on!
Chrissy was curious about my stack of puzzles. Then he "head dove" into them and they came crashing down! If you have cats, you know what a "head dive" is!
Then I made a puzzle pyramid and... well... watch the vid!
The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Sex and the City and working on my new puzzles. While I did that... PAUL CLEANED THE HOUSE!!!! You don't understand. Normally I clean the whole house myself because, well, he has been taking radiation and chemo forever and has been recovering from that. But he wanted to do it today, and I wasn't going to argue with him!
Then we had dinner and watched The Shawshank Redemption. It had been awhile since I saw that movie. It's so good!
