Who likes cold weather?

Winter has arrived in Michigan. The temps aren't likely to be above 40 degrees for a few more months. Windchill often brings 20 degree temperatures. Furnaces are kicking out hot heat at a steady pace across the state. With this comes dry heat, static, and cracking, dry skin. This is definitely the season where it's refreshing to go outside for walks and runs, whether they are casual or competitive. I didn't get it together in time to sign up for the Turkey Trot. (Well maybe I could have got it together, but just didn't feel like it.) I am making it up to myself by signing up for a different race — the Jingle Bell run in Northville, MI. It's 5K race and I have been comfortably running that distance a few times a week. I am more intimidated by the cold and the wind than anything else! I'll have to run outside, away from the treadmill, sometime this week to mimic the real deal. Cheers to staying healthy in the holiday season!

world...turning...

Everything has been going well with the transition to my new job. I successfully survived my first week. I am honestly looking forward to going back in on Monday. The work is challenging, sometimes a bit too much but I think the "I'm new here" excuse will buy me some time to figure more stuff out. Most of the people I have met have been friendly and helpful and supportive. People seem genuinely nice.

I found out that my boss is a runner and I think that is fantastic! She is running the 10K Turkey Trot in Detroit on Thanksgiving. She even said I could go with her. I would like to but I'm not going to be getting a paycheck for a month; therefore, I don't think a race is what I should be spending $35+ on--- for that much money I think I could buy breakfast, lunch, and dinners for nearly two weeks!

What else? I worked out everyday after work last week. I was very afraid of having such a nutty schedule that my gym time would fly out the window---so far that has not been the case. I managed to find time to run, lift weights and do yoga and other cardio. It's great when I can relieve stress that way. My schedule is about 815 to 445 everyday which helps a *tiny* bit with getting around rush hour, but dealing with that fact is just part of the gig right now.

I have a lot less free time in general, at work and and home. I think my posts might become quite infrequent but we'll see how it goes. This is a transition. I'm sure I'll get in more of a routine as time goes on.

Old-fashioned sweaty gym time

I can't remember the last time that I allotted two hours to spend at the gym. I have always loved having a gym membership. I don't feel like a hamster when I run on the treadmill. I don't feel like I'm cavorting with meat heads just because I use the free weights. I feel that fresh surge that my body is an efficient tool and I can shape it however I want. I can walk on the treadmill or grunt it out on the gravitron machine or follow the motions of the 30 second lifting area. There are so many ways to exercise and I love the choices. I love tailoring what I want to do on how I feel or how hungry I am or how pumped I am to really give it my best effort. Yesterday was definitely a best effort kind of day. I alternated 30 minutes on the ArcTrainer, 30 minutes on the elliptical, 20 minutes on the treadmill and another 45 minutes of weights. I felt like I had wrung my body through a detox gauntlet. When I finally left Planet Fitness, I could honestly say that I was deeply satisfied with what I had accomplished. That's a great note to end on.

(Plus, I don't get tv, so I was hugely interested in the cable networks' analysis of the election!)

slackin on the updates

I have been pretty busy finishing up works tasks in my last week. I have also been pretty occupied outside of work. I'm still making time to exercise, but I have not been so great about reporting on it. I am reveling in this November heat wave. It is wonderful! Yesterday I went for a bike ride but I was dismayed that the sun about disappeared by 6pm. That put the kibosh on a long adventurous ride. At least I got out though. Can't even remember the last time I rode. It did feel really great :)

*Breaking News*

I'm willing to bet that my dearth of posts lately have made people reluctant to even check for updates, as they figure there probably aren't any. My apologies to my 4 loyal readers. Anyways, I was spending some time making a decision about a job offer from Plante & Moran. After much much much over-thinking, I have accepted the offer. That's that. Life goes on. Since this blog is about exercise and fitness and health, I won't burden this post with all that was going on. Suffice to say I am nervous but excited about the opportunities ahead of me!

Now my next decision is if I should run in the Turkey Trot and if I can convince Sharon or Alissa to accompany me.

Running in the fall

I do love summer and I think everyone knows that about me. I love going to the lakes, wearing my bathing suit, sitting on a boat and baking under the deadly heat of a blazing sun. If I could have one permanent season, I'm sure it would be a hot and humid and sunny summer. That does not mean that I don't find value in the other seasons. In fact as much as I enjoy summer, I think I run less because I'm already outside doing other things. Fall seems to provide perfect running temperatures. And with the dry heat being turned on indoors, that cooler crisp air is refreshing and welcoming. On Wednesday I managed to get outside while there was a break in the rain and the temp was about 60 degrees. I had a wonderful run. I strapped on the iPod, ran through 13 songs and, at my pace, figured that to be about three miles. It was everything I think an enjoyable run should be: unhurried, relaxing, adventurous, challenging and peaceful. I can't wait for my next opportunity.

The weather was absolutely perfect for autumn this past weekend. I went with Jason and his family to their cottage at Canadian Lakes and we were undeniably blessed with warm air, paprika and goldenrod and honey-colored leaves, clear skies and vast amounts of sunshine. We took advantage of this perfect fall confluence and spent over an hour hiking through trails on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday I managed to get away for a three mile run. I couldn't believe how unprepared I was for the fact that it was actually hot that afternoon. I wish Michigan's fall season would always be this grand.