There's a lot of snow out there and it's not leaving any time soon. In fact, we got 4 more inches on top of about 30 just today while I ran. I have to admit that running in the snow is just totally exhilerating. Once you abandon the solid workout for sheer living in the moment, it's instant prozac. I probably could've gotten my heart rate up a little more on the spin bike today, but I definitely wouldn't have felt as alive and spirited as I did trekking through inches of snow with my running sneaks. 

 Lugging Lila and her sled up the hill was quite the workout

 My morning run into an Ansel Adams photograph

 Snow up to her armpits

Everything, including the patch of house Jeff couldn't reach with his paintbrush, looks better with snow

Obstacles. They can take any form and come at any time. Family, weather, injury, money.  We can either ignore them, let them get the best of us or do something I've only recently embraced: thank them.
Thank you frozen ice path that interrupted my morning trail run. How still and humbling the woods were as I carefully walked around you. Thank you Lila, for continuing to be my sweetest lunch date even though working evenings so I can stay home with you is often exhausting. Thank you frigid January and the onslaught of new students for reminding me that my mom was always right - wear a hat, be nice to people, work hard - which applies to both fleeting and enduring circumstances. Obstacles or opportunities? It's not how you see them that makes the difference, but how you see yourself.

 Visiting Grandma at the nursing home in lieu of a weekday run

 late lunch date after a day's worth of errands

My trail run becomes an ice run at mile 3

Started From the Bottom

The best thing you can do to accomplish something is simply tell yourself to do it. It has been weeks since I've felt like running, as the temps and conditions have been brutal, but today I woke up ready to begin again. I've been staying active up on our third floor, where a spin bike awaits. I usually go up there with my coat on and Drake on Pandora, and sweat it out for at least a half hour. But, it's just not the same as running for me. Not even close. So I told myself I would run today and then didn't think about it again until I was actually hitting the pavement. I can talk myself into and out of anything, so now I keep my words minimal, like "hell yes" or "nope".  After dropping Lila off at preschool I finished my coffee and went to it. Yes, it was snowing. Yes, my legs felt like sacs of cement. But, I got 'er done. And, it was kind of a fun 5 miles. Going to just try for 20 miles a week, and a long xcountry ski if possible on the weekends. 

I am loyal to my oversized puffy that I use only for running  (it's stinky)

 Stayed on the road, which looked like this the whole time

Our third floor office/music room/gym with a big pile of layers I've shed while on the bike these last few weeks.