A Little Warmer In The Afternoon

Only -15° at 2 pm.

Spring is getting closer.

Right now – 17° C

I don't want a treadmill.

I don't want a dirty gym full of viruses.

I want nature.

I want sun.

I want to run free as a bird.

My running project is about freedom, not about paying fees.

Go away, Sibirian winter!

I want to find out when running turns from inspiring, developing to insane, and then stay at the right side of the border.

Sane: between -10° and +20° C?

Between -6° and +24°?

Colder? Or warmer?

Where goes the line?

And who can tell?

Sibiran Weather Extreme

Dear Reader, who am I to complain?

The "Sibirian Weather Extreme" holds Europe in a chock state.

In Lyon the planes can't lift because of the 10 cm of snow. London is getting prepared for a snow storm and Great Britain is having its coldest winter in 100 (or is it 30?) years.

In Swedish Dalarna it's about to get colder than -44° C. And yesterday 122 people had frozen to death in Poland…

So not being able to run isn't that serious. But when I woke up this morning I felt so motivated, so I didn't think the -16° C at 9 am could stop me. But by 11 the temperature had raised only to -14°, and that is a little chilly for a mother of three. Even in her best winter gear.

The only thing that could cure the "I didn't get to run"-depression was: cookies. Classic Rutkakor (Chess Cookies), baked January 4 by people in checked shirts. Odd tradition, I know.

All of a sudden lunch was served by the chef husband, and then it was time to go snowslading with the kids. We were the only family out, and there was a little sun, so I had an "luxury ski vacation" vibe about it.

But yesterday I did go running – outdoors, on snow and ice for 40 min. The Nike+ figured it was 7.33 k and look what I bought for my shoes! Slip stoppers! Or broddar…

So the question is: will I have to find a gym with a treadmill OR will I do fine with those shoes?

No matter snow or ice?

Only the Sibiran winter knows for sure…

Still Celebrating

Dear All, the worst thing happened yesterday. I fell asleep puting the kids to bed.

Woke up by the fireworks, but I was all too dizzy to have Champagne and anyway my husband had given up. He was drinking tea watching a movie… What a couple…

So instead we celebrated the New Decade for lunch.

With Toast Skagen and Champagne.

Then veggies with Risotto Milanese Cookies.

Some salami.
And more Champagne.

Finished it with coffee and chocolate truffles with Atlantic Sea Salt.

No, we didn't make

it through the door today.

It was – 10.

And I'm not sure I'm going to be a professional Half Marathon Runner.

Making Plans For A New Decade

Dear G, the year is almost over and it's time for a summery.

Small picture: I didn't quite make my goal for 2009: 100 runs and 600 k. Aspecially not since it became so cold and slippery. Today I fell even walking to the close fishshop buying lobster and other new years stuff.

Big picture: I became a runner. We both became runners and yes, we changed our lives in 100 days. Unbelievebly much so.

And even bigger: this decade gave me three wonderful babies and what more could I ever ask for? I got a new profession and published another two books. Next decade there will be many more. Books, not kids.

And I'm making new plans. This is me, photographed by my 4-yearold son, comparing running programs for the half marathon.

My ambitions are high, but I'm also trying to stay realistic.

Which is so much more difficult…

Not quite knowing if I succeded or not my new goals can be seen under my mini.

I wish you all the best and a happy new decade!

Are you starting it skiing?

Running for Paris Marathon?

Keep me posted…

Love,

C

Freezing X-mas

Dear G (how are you?), I have a long story to tell you about something I heard just before X-mas. Will add it later. For now: it's been cold. And beautiful. At times, very cold.

- 13° even at 10? That is too cold for running, isn't it? Anyway, this particular day I had to hurry in to town to buy X-mas gifts.
I did run at X-mas Day in brand new pants, jacket and gloves and the snow made it so heavy, but my Mini is pissed off. Hope that you'll are having the most wonderful, relaxed, warm, stylish and tender Chrismas. We are! Love, C

Best Run Ever?

– 6 ° C, no wind, blue sky – and sunshine!

The Nike+ says I ran 6.33 on 34:34, (average pace 5.27), but I say:

Naah…

Running on snow is slippery and sometimes heavy, and it means taking small steps.

Nike+ apperantly knows nothing about running on snow …

But it's good training and quite heavy, so maybe it's fair to call todays run at least worth 6.33…

Or it will make up for the unfortune calibration I had in July and August.

Anyway: thought the fingers were a bit cold and I need a hat, but the rest of my clothes worked fine. And my new sweater is the best ever!

Didn't have time to run, but it sure made me a better mother, person, wife…

And yes, I think it was one of the best runs, ever!