Winter does as it will, and so do I.

Today supposedly marks the end of our cold snap. Golly, am I glad for that. Just as my mileage nudges up and settles into the 30's, as it's becoming ever harder to drag myself out of bed in the 6 o'clock hour, here's the good news I needed. I don't mind running in ultra-frigid weather, in fact, I find it even more rewarding. But just getting out the door... a little less of a chill in the air really helps on that front.

I'm sort of in limbo land right now, waiting for things to start sprouting and coming to fruition. It's a maddening place of trying to find space for a on-road clinic, making sure permits are lined up, getting my middle-mileage weeks done, and trying to stay sane with so little daylight. Ben puts up with a lot. I thank him.

I've done workouts every day since last Monday. I get this Thursday off, leaving me with 9 days in a row. Gosh, remind me why I'm exhausted, again?

We are officially headed to Ray's on Jan 30-31. You should come. You might even see some of the 2010 Half Acre Cycling kit in action for the first time. Yes, we're THAT kind of overachievers, too.

the couch is magnetic and i am pure iron.

I got home from Vegas on Friday night, and it's been hard to leave the couch. Saturday AM 2.5 hour trainer workout, then brunch, then couch... today, shortest long run ever (6) and then the couch.

Last night we did venture out to Binny's to collect some deliciousness. I am somewhat obsessed with the Flemish red beers, similar to their cousins the Oude Bruin. They are delicious.

Today I tried out the new running tights. I refuse to wear two layers of tights (one thermal, one wind blocking) so I'm on a constant hunt for warm enough tights. I found these and ordered them expecting to be let down. This morning, they made it through the -5 windchill just fine. I'm afraid they won't hold up long, but they're golden for now. I believe I've found the warmest running tights out there. (Sidenote: props to National Running Center for organizing their online store by temperature/weather you're running in. I wish more places did this!)

My run came in right on pace, despite the snowy sidewalks. The altitude and hills must have helped.

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes

I added Suite: Judy Blue Eyes to my workout mix last spring. For some reason, it has a sixth sense-- it knows when I'm somewhere scenic or memorable and plays just then. The first time, I was running on the oceanfront bluffs of Santa Cruz. The next time, it was running laps of a wooded trail in Evansville, IN. And it came on as the sun peeked over the hills today, flooding the scrubby desert park with pink light.

I did better in Pueblo Park this morning. I knew it was rolling uphill the first half, and I slaughtered it, pulling a minute a mile off my pace. I feel a little better about that. I didn't see much wildlife today, though a bunny who caught sight of me attempted to hide behind a not-opaque-enough scrub bush, which I giggled at.

I hope to go back to Red Rock tomorrow, and then fly home. I hope the snowstorm gets over itself by then.

It's sunny and 62 today.