First Day of Week 2 for Amanda

According to our local NBC website, it is currently 16 degrees out and feels like 3. I just got back from my run. Prepare for these weather updates to continue, because I like to complain about the cold.

I wore my ninja mask again and took it off less than halfway through, again. It's not too annoying to carry, though, so whatever. I thought the running path wouldn't be icy, and at first it wasn't but then as soon as I tried to stargaze (the sky has been cloudy through the meteor shower the past couple days and today is the first clear day), I slipped a bit on some ice. It was back to the sidewalks for me.

These 90 second runs are intense and make me want to smoke much less (though I quit, I still smoke socially once or twice a week). I think my issue is that I start out running too fast for each interval. I'm gonna try to even my pace next time.

I'll definitely make it through this week but next week sounds so hard! 3 minute runs! For Christmas! Let's not think about it.

Second Run

According to weather.com, it is 10 degrees F right now, and feels like -7. I just completed my second run. Shockingly, I was the only person running in the park this time. To prepare, I wore a wifebeater under a long-sleeved tshirt under my new hot pink fleece hooded sweatshirt. I also wore 2 pairs of socks, my fleece-lined sweatpants and my ninja mask.

As I feared, that was overdoing it. Sure, it felt appropriate during my walk to the park. However, after like 2 60-second runs, it did not feel any colder than Tuesday outside. My glasses were an issue again, as wearing the ninja mask made them fog up when I breathed. I pulled it down over my nose for awhile, then down to free my mouth and nose. Eventually it was way too warm and I took it off. However, in similar temperatures I will probably continue to wear it and then rip it off halfway through, because it has a little neck cape feature and right now, the only really cold parts of my body are my outside and rear thighs, and my neck/double chin. Plus I'm sure I scared a few people.

There was more snow on the ground this time and I wound up running on the grass for like 5 minutes at a time before realizing I wasn't on the path. The path was packed down by other runners and rather slick, though, so actually fresher snow was less risky for running anyway. I went through all five Kleenex and may need more next time. And I am a mouthbreather while running. Is this a problem, ladies? My nose gets so stuffy.

Btw, I forgot to stretch -- I'm on a tight schedule today and shouldn't even be writing this right now. So, we'll see how that feels tomorrow. The day I have to clean my whole house and put up Christmas decorations. Sweet!

Update: I just remembered I did not put deodorant on today. Even sweeter!

Update: My day off

So today, my legs hurt. Mostly the front and sides of my upper thighs. My sister said, "Oh yeah, your hip flexers will hurt." So there you go.

Today I babysat and made some money. Then I went to Target to prepare for my run in 13 degree weather tomorrow, thus spending all my money. I bought this crazy ski mask contraption that is waterproof, "very warm," and blocks the wind. It is called a balaclava and people will probably fear me when I wear it, which is awesome. I also bought a pair of fleece-lined sweatpants and a fleece-lined hot pink hoodie, so they will know I'm a woman and also will not confuse me with a ninja.