Winter Wonderland

The past few days we've received over 12" of snow. It's been a long time since we've seen that much snow in one snowfall. I don't think the boys have even seen such a large snowfall in one period. When I was their age, growing up in Northern Minnesota, we had snowfalls like this all of the time.

Between Steve plowing the driveway, sidewalk, shoveling the roof and ice fishing; the boys sliding, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling; and me snowshoe running, skiing and shoveling it seems that we have a constant pile of wet winter clothing and boots out in the mud room. My dryer is constantly running while drying mittens, gloves and hats. I have to say though: we love it!

This morning Topaz and I headed out for a shorter 8 mile snowshoe run. The snow is so deep that I am doing more breaking trail via hiking than running I am afraid. My heart rate was through the roof and my legs were becoming tired from high stepping the snow. It felt like going through the root section (Sonju) during the Superior Sawtooth 100 mile run! Ah, not quite!

After breaking trail to the lake we turned around and headed the 4 miles back to the car. Again, covered with snow. After a quick removal of snow and ice we headed home. I stripped off my wet clothing and put on dry shorts, bra, socks and shoes so I could hop on my treadmill and actually run for 5 miles! Topaz laid at the treadmill and watched.

The Northwoods Snowshoe Marathon is in a few weeks. I haven't decided if I'm going to run it yet again. I think I've run it the past 8 years. Hard to believe that 2 of those years we ran it in trail shoes..there was no snow in Duluth! This weekend, Duluth received 26" of snow. Wow. I am going to run the Winter Carnival 1/2 Marathon and I'd imagine I'll be at Northwoods too. It's the final year for the race and I'll probably find myself there.

Snowshoein'

Merry Christmas Eve ! (EVE)

Don't you just love it? The HOLIDAYS! I do, I do.

I love the excitement in little one's faces as I speak with them about Santa, Rudolph and presents while I'm waiting in line at the grocery store.

I love to decorate the house, bake my heart out..cookies, fudge, Waldorf Astoria Red Velvet Cake (which I just removed from the oven), lefse and a huge standing ribeye roast for dinner tomorrow. That roast cost me more than a week of groceries!

I love the excitement of the students at work. The excitement of Christmas, of Christmas Break.

I love to watch Tyler and Troy pick through the cookie platter, arrange and rearrange the presents under the tree, talk out the Christmas festivities..they love it as much as I.

It's a wonderful time.

I hope you are all enjoying the Holidays as much as I am.

I guess I took some time off here. Now going on seven years blogging and I had never taken over a week break. I guess it was time. I've been busy. Working full time at school and part time at Macy's, coaching beginning runners and my online clients, getting in my own running and lifting..and getting ready for the Holiday's.

In the past month Tyler turned 18! 18! I can't even believe it. Next week I'll turn 45! Wow. Many of my friends are turning 50+ and they are showing me that it is looking damn good :) Remember how awful I felt about turning 40? Thank goodness that business is in the past. I look forward to each year now.

I'm still enjoying the miles on the trail, on the road, wherever I can get them in. I've been snowshoe running lately. From tonight to Friday we are supposed to have 14-20 " of snow. I hope so!

Last week I went downhill skiing for the first time. It was a total blast. The boys were amazed that I didn't suck. I suck at snowboarding so they were expecting the same rate of suckage.

Thank you for all of the emails asking how I was doing and checking in, all of the Holiday wishes. I appreciate it!

Happy Holidays to all of you!