Workouts

I guess my knee has heeled - I haven't felt any tightness recently.  Maybe just another thing about getting older...the occasional ache or pain?

Sun
Snowshoeing

Mon
Rest day

Tues
30 min "cycling class" (self-taught cycling on a stationary bike)
PowerFlex
20 min yoga DVD

Wed
Cycling class X 2 (I took the morning cycling class & then was asked by the noon cycling instructor to sub due to a sick kiddo)

Thurs
Cycling class
PowerFlex

Fri
Cycling class
Run 25 min w/dogs & Steve at a new gravel trail outside of town
Zumba

The rest of the story...

Map for Cutler Draw, the groomed snowshoe/xcountry ski place that allows dogs.  Look closely at the names...

Gidget LOVES snow

One of my favorite pictures of Brewer & me

Steve & sun dappling through the trees

Sun warming the rocks

Guinness & his buddy Steve

Beauty.  Looking into Mutt Meadows

"Hey!  Whadja find?!" (Gidget & Brewer)

This is what happens when you try to capture a picture of Brewer while he's running toward you.

"Wheeeee!  I LOVE SNOW!" (Gidget)

Gidget & her buddy Chick

Cross country skiing/Snowshoeing

On January 2, Steve & I spent a wonderful afternoon at our favorite ski/snowshoe place with the dogs.  Before I continue with the rest of the pictures, please enjoy the hilarity of Brewer jumping for snowballs...

And there you have it...  Brewer jumping like his legs are pogo sticks.

Workouts

Sun
Rest

Mon
Run 0.75 mi to Y
Run 2 mi on dreadmill
Cycling class
Run 0.75 mi home
Zumba
~I was a very tired lady at the end of the day...~

Tues
Snowshoeing!  Only for about an hour, but it was an absolutely lovely day
PowerFlex

I'm SO EXCITED to see that one of our local sports stores (the same store that puts on the Bighorn Trail Run) will be having a snowshoe race on February 27.**  Now the question is...do I sign up for the 5K or 10K??  Mind you, I've never done a snowshoe race before & even with all the snowshoe "running" I've been doing recently, it's only within the 1-2 mi range.  My good angel (or maybe in this case it's my naughty angel?) immediately says "Yes!  10K!  Sign up for the 10K!  Challenge challenge challenge!"  The other angel is quietly whispering "6.2 miles on snowshoes?  Are you outta your f***ing mind?!  Stick with the 5K, it will be tough enough."

Most of it will depend on the trails.  As you've read in my recent posts, I was only able to do short bursts of running while on snowshoes.  Today, I was out snowshoeing with the pups, but the trails have become much more packed down due to higher volume of traffic & warmer weather.  I noticed I was able to run slowly for much longer periods of time on the packed trails.  Ah, decisions, decisions...

**Note:  If you happened to go to the race calendar website I posted above, you may have noticed the incredibly odd name they picked.  The local sports store is called The Sports Stop, but they created this race calendar website & called it WASP Wyoming.  Oops.  Um, not sure who decided on the acronym or name, but let's just say they probably would not be able to get away with such a name in any other state...  Welcome to Wyoming.

Workouts

I have plenty of pictures to post, just have not gotten around to it.  Soon...

Tues
Run 5K
PowerFlex class (a free weights strength training class I instruct)

Wed
Cycling class
Zumba

Thurs
Cycling class
Run 400M wu, 4X400M, 400M cd
PowerFlex

Fri
Cycling class
3X 12 dips, 75 squats
Zumba

Sat
Snowshoeing!

Workouts

Fri
3 mi run w/Steve

Sat
Snowshoeing w/Steve (x-country skiing) & the pups...pictures to follow

Sun
Rest


Mon
Cycling class
Zumba!  I'm training into it so I can someday instruct it

Sioux Falls Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas in Sioux Falls this year.  We left Sheridan earlier than expected due to incoming storms (stayed overnight at my parent's house a little less than halfway) & stayed later due to storms.  They received over 16" snow & we enjoyed every minute of it.

Steve taking off on his skis.  We didn't notice Brewer in the picture until we were looking back at them later.

Elf Ninja!  It was cold

Brewer & Gidget wrestling

Guinness moments before going down the slide (he went down the slide on the right of the picture, not the circular slide) & Steve doing a "sweet jump" on some playground equipment

Snowshoe Running

Last year, I became interested in the idea of snowshoe running.  So often during the winter, Steve & I get stuck on the "Dreadmill" at the gym & our running motivation takes a serious dive.  I had done some reading on snowshoe running, a great way to enjoy "running" outside while there's snow on the ground.  After doing research, I purchased a pair of Redfeather women's snowshoes at the end of the season (thus allowing for a better price).  Snowshoes can range anywhere from $75-$250+ & don't often go on sale, but if you do enough digging, you can usually find something that will fit your needs for a good price.  I wasn't planning on becoming the next snowshoe racer, so I wanted to stick with a snowshoe that was smaller, lightweight, but not out of my price range.  As for shoes, I found another great deal on Gore-Tex Adidas trail shoes ($89 through Road Runner Sports); I bought a half-size up to make room for wool socks.  I went with trail running shoes because hiking shoes are too cumbersome for running.  To prevent snow buildup in my shoes, I bought a pair of gaiters similar to these (although mine were $25 & waterproof - essential for snow).  For clothing, I wore running tights with snowpants over top & several layers on top.  The snowpants are bulkier than what I'd like, but they're necessary because you'll kick snow up on  your rear & running tights will be soaked.  In the future, I'll probably look for a light pair of waterproof pants - rain pants might work well.  On top, I layered several wicking tops (all from my workout collection) - sports bra, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, & Capilene base layer.  The first time I wore my down jacket, but quickly had to stuff it in my backpack because it was too warm.  I always wear mittens & a hat - neck gaiter if it's cold enough.  Because I'm in the mountains in the middle of winter, I carry a backpack filled with water, food, & safety equipment (first aid, matches, knife, etc).  The weight of the backpack is an added bonus - it adds to the workout!

I've been up on the mountain (not enough snow in town) a few times & I fell.in.love. with snowshoe running.  But let me warn you, it's more like hiking & less like running.  Don't expect to strap on snowshoes & go for a 30 minute run.  No way Jose.  The area I've frequented is a dog-friendly cross country ski & snowshoe area. Snow is not usually packed down, making the snowshoeing that much more difficult & more of a workout.  If going uphill, I don't run - I'm breathing hard enough.  When flat or downhill, I run for 15-30 sec, walk for a few minutes, run 15-30 sec, walk...  Rinse & repeat.  I built myself up to running for 1 min.  Whoa buddy.  Of course, if utilizing an area with packed snow, you'd probably be able to run for longer periods of time.  The deep snow helps strengthen ankles too, especially wearing running shoes instead of ankle high hiking boots.

I try to take the dogs because it's an excellent way to tire them out.  A few pictures from one of our recent adventures...

See the dogs running behind me?  Brewer on the left, being chased by Gidget on the right.  :)

Brewer eating snow

How many dogs can you see in the trees??

Dogs running chest deep through "Mutt Meadows"

Gidget gets hot & buries in the snow