New Kitchen, New Start!

I know it's almost February, but finally, the new year begins. And with the new year, comes the new "watch what I eat" me.

In a normal year, the holidays pass, Linda stops making her world famous fudge, and it's easy to focus on a better, healthier, dietary regime. This year, unfortunately or fortunately, we're getting the kitchen remodeled (Linda is a kitchen designer by trade) and have basically been without one for several weeks. We've been out to eat, like, a million times or grabbing take out. Result: calories. Thursday, however, it all changes.

Thursday, the countertop is installed. With that comes the sink and real live running water and an almost fully functional kitchen (still need backsplash, paint, and some electrical work). Then, my friends, thing change. Or at least I hope so. Eating/Taking out has expanded my waist and reduced my wallet size.

By the way, I am fully aware that all of this dialogue sounds like rationalization/excuse making. I'm okay with that. Very okay.

With the new year has also come January weather. Our "new" house (it'll be three years in June), is on the moon. At least that's what I call it. We are a few miles east of Parker and another 800 feet of altitude up on the mesa (roughly 6100 feet). With that, comes odd weather, very odd weather.  Last year from January till the end of March, it literally snowed every 5 days. No sooner than the melting of the previous dropping, the fresh one made its way from the heavens.

Now, I don't have a problem with snow. I grew up in Michigan where the winters can be harsh. When the snow drops in the Great Lakes, you can wait a LOOOOONG time before it finally melts. And the Wind...... and Humidity........ I'd rather be in 20 degrees below zero here in Colorado than 20 above in Michigan. I digress.

The running, too, has been challenging. AND..... here's the big news: last week I actually wore tights on a run. 

Generally, tights do not enter the picture until the temp drops below 15-20 F (several family members have declared me crazy for running in shorts in those temps....... jealous, I'd say). Last week, one day shorts and 25, the next day tights and -6. 

The mileage has been acceptable: 36, 38, and this week will end around 43-45. The prohibitive factor has not been the weather, it's been the kitchen construction. Between Winston, ZOOM classes, and workers, it's not so easy to get out the door at the usual times.

During this time, I've managed a couple of double digit runs, AND some 800 repeats at lactate threshold (something we haven't done in a very long time). Felt like a fish out of water.

So far, we are on track for the two major goals of the year: 2000 miles, and finishing before the cutoff at the Mont Blanc 23k (received a special Christmas gift for that - more later). All in all, I'd say it's all good.

Run on, my friends.