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Picky Walker and Cycler
I have been known to run in almost any weather conditions… an 18-mile run in 34° rain comes to mind where near the end of the run I convinced my husband that we needed to run 2 more miles to make it an even 20. Even though the conditions were miserable the entire run, I didn’t mind staying out for a little bit longer.
Walking and cycling, though, are entirely different stories. Now that I’m older and get cold more easily I’ve become a very picky outdoor exerciser. The addition of creating wind as I zip along on my bike makes cycling difficult during winter months. And even though I can bundle up more for walks since my body doesn’t create as much heat when I walk, I just don’t love the cold stinging my face while on a walk.
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Rest day
I spent the morning looking at my watch in anticipation of the arrival of Pablo and his humans.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Tuesday
Cycling: 16 miles
• Average speed: 16.4 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:44 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63°
Walking: ~ 1 mile
• Average pace: didn’t record
• Elevation gain: didn’t record
• Start time: 7:57 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 37° and cloudy
• What I wore: capris, l/s shirt, fleece-lined vest, gloves, mittens, and ear warmer headband
After riding my spin bike (affiliate link) while virtually training a client, I took Pablo for a walk on the neighborhood trails. As we walked along behind our house, he stopped and stared across the creek and into our back yard for a few minutes. It was obvious that he knew it was his house and I would love to know what he was thinking. Perhaps he was wondering why there wasn’t a more convenient bridge so he wouldn’t have to take the longer way back to get off-leash to run zoomies in the yard.
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Walking: 5K
• Average pace: 14:16
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 12:24 PM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 68°
• What I wore: shorts and s/s shirt
I headed outside to walk after wrapping up my last client and immediately came back inside to walk on my treadmill (affiliate link) when I realized how much the wind had kicked up and that a light mist was swirling around. If I’d been running it would have been fine, but I’m not as willing to walk in less than ideal weather conditions.
Thursday
Cycling: 12 miles
• Average speed: 16.6 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness Lifecycle GX Spin
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 6:29 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 63°
Running: 5K
• Average pace: 9:51
• Elevation gain: 109 feet
• Start time: 8:25 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 34° (feels like 26°) and sunny
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, nylon shell, gloves, mittens, and ear warmer headband
Foam rolling: 10 minutes
Stretching: 10 minutes
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of total body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: didn’t record
• Elevation gain: didn’t record
• Start time: 8:01 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 41° (feels like 37°)
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, hoodie, gloves, and mittens
On the spur of the moment I decided to take a walk around our neighborhood to admire our neighbor’s Christmas lights. As I completed my first lap I decided to walk a second to make it a tidy mile.
Saturday
Walking: 4 miles
• Average pace: 15:42
• Elevation gain: 188 feet
• Start time: 11:26 PM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 54°, cloudy, breezy, and humid, climbing to 57°
• What I wore: capris, s/s shirt, light jacket, and gloves
It started raining around 5 AM, but stopped much earlier than forecast so instead of going to the basement for a cardio workout, I called my friend Betsy to see if she wanted to walk outside. She had just finished riding her stationary bike and was starting to walk on her treadmill so the timing was perfect and we walked together.
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- • Sunday – Weekly RunDown: November 20 – 26 / Running with Friends from Around the World
- • Tuesday – 2022 Ashburn Farm Thanksgiving Day 5K Race Recap
- • Friday – Catching Up Over Coffee: A Happy Pablo, Poor Sweet Callie, and a Book Signing
Questions:
- • What are your limits, weather wise, for exercising outside? ~ I’ll run in most any condition except ice, electrical storms, or dangerous wind; but cycling and walking are a different story.
- • What was your favorite workout of the week? ~ I really enjoyed walking with Betsy yesterday.
- • Did you run in a race on Thanksgiving Day or this past weekend? ~ Yes, I ran in a turkey trot on Thursday!
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
If it weren’t a race in NYC I’m not sure I’d been out there in the pouring rain.
I race in any conditions… running is a different story. Mostly a fair weather runner.
Yes I ran a 0k on Thanksgiving and a 15k yesterday.
My favorite workout was a hike I did on my day off Monday.
You are so active it must be hard to pick a favorite workout from the week. 🙂
While I much prefer the warmer weather, I can make myself get outside for walking in the cold. I don’t usually go as far or as frequent, though. I agree, cycling is MUCH tougher in the colder months. I’m grateful for my indoor bike!
Yes, you and me both! We need to plan a virtual ride together soon!
I am also much more choosy on walking or cycling. We were looking at the cyclists this morning and feeling very glad we were in our running shoes. The wind has been fierce this week
I do the same when I’m running on cold days and see cyclists go by.
If you don’t want to walk in bad weather, just don’t move up North. But I do pick my days for my runs carefully — when I can — although next week is going to be challenging. Might be a treadmill run in there, only time will tell.
LOL at “Pablo and his humans”. As it should be, eh?
My husband tells the story about how he knew Bandit was really ours the day he got away from him and was lost — only to find him waiting for him by the back gate. 🙂
Ah, yes, that would be a sure sign that Bandit had declared your place his home. 🙂
Okay, good advice. I won’t move north and I’ll try not to whine about Virginia’s cold weather! 😉
Cycling is a whole different beast in the cold wind! Totally understand your stance. Fortunately you have all kinds of options!
Aww Pablo. I am always curious what the pups are thinking.
Yes, I’m fortunate to have lots of indoor exercise choices for when it’s cold. 🙂
I hate running in the rain. I’ll do it, but I hate it. I will not run in hurricanes, either. Because that’s just being smart.
I think it’s ok to be picky about your outdoor exercise. At the end of the day, workouts shouldn’t be miserable.
Jenn recently posted…weeks 100 + 101: thanksgiving + december
I used to love running in the rain, but now I just tolerate it. LOL
It’s so funny because when we are going to the lake or returning home, Cocoa always knows when we’re getting close to either place. I don’t understand it! Dogs are smart.
I’m not a fan of running in the rain but I’ll do it if it’s not too cold or windy. I really hate running indoors. It just feels like a chore. I’d rather do some cross-training.
Yes, dogs are smart! Our son and daughter-in-law have always said that as soon as they turn onto our street, Pablo starts making happy whining noises.
I couldn’t imagine cycling with cold and/or strong winds! And cycling where I live isn’t appealing because of the unsafe country roads. I think I can walk in most weathers (to clarify, most weathers that commonly happen in Ireland!) as long as I have my hooded storm tech jacket with something warm underneath. For running – I’ll see tomorrow because it’ll be my first run in cold weather. I just started running this autumn!
How fun that you’re a new runner! It will take a little time, but you’ll quickly figure out what layers work best for you.
I don’t mind running in the rain, but I need to wear a hat so the drops don’t get in my eyes! And I prefer warm rain running , anything below 45 with rain is not my favorite. It was windy here this week and I went for a stroller walk, but it was a little scary! Branches were down and I was afraid something might blow down on us!
Agreed, a hat or visor is a must for keeping the rain away from the eyes!
Yes, it’s odd- I’ll run in just about anything (other than an electrical storm) but walking… no. I wonder why? Also I’m more picky about cycling (when I used to get out on my bike, that is) but that makes sense- riding a bike in really bad weather could be dangerous.
Ah, dogs are so funny. Yes, what was Pablo thinking when he spotted your house across the creek? We’ll never know.
Perhaps Pablo was thinking, “Why isn’t there a bridge here so I don’t have to walk all of the way around?” HaHa!
I don’t know how people keep on cycling through winter. I get cold hands while running, never mind on the bike. And then the feet! I know some who used heaters for their feet, but still…
Glad you got an indoor option! I know it’s not as good as outside, but it does the trick in those winter months.
My hands get sooo cold! If the temperature drops below 50° I can still wear shorts and a tee, but I need gloves.
I’ll run in most conditions as long as it’s not icy. The wind has been so tough lately, I could not imagine cycling in it! I’m always happy to have indoor options.
Me, too! Indoor options are workout savers some days.
I used to run outdoors no matter the weather- I actually thought the colder the better. Now I really have to psych myself up to run outdoors if it’s really cold. Oh how the times have changed!
It’s called “getting older”, Kim. LOL My body just doesn’t tolerate the cold like it used to…
What A Fabulous Run Down – And Doggie Photos Are Just The Best – Congrats On All The Goals And Temptations – Sending Positive Vibes Your Way
Cheers
Thanks, and yes, I’m always happy when I can include pictures of Pablo!