New December - March Exercise Log

[Catrin]

Crankin - I hope you're feeling well soon!

I've been moderating my activities during my concussion recovery (for once). There hasn't been any problems, but yesterday during my 15 minute kettlebell swing interval section of my workout I noticed that my headache was not only returning, but increasing during the swings. I suspect sinus stuff, as this wasn't a problem even just a couple days after the concussion. I DID, however, cap the swing intervals at 10 rounds rather than 15 when it became apparent that it wasn't easing.

I would LOVE to go walking today, assuming the wintry mix misses us this afternoon. Ugh...I'm spoiled!

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry you aren't feeling 100%, Crankin. That would be frustrating!

And Catrin, you are smart to moderate your workouts. Concussions aren't worth playing around with, as you well know.

I feel bad for those of you suffering with the cold. I know not everyone likes Florida, but I sure do feel fortunate to be here this time of year! So far our chilliest night was 49F, and that felt seriously cold with stiff north wind. We're moderating today after the cold front, and the next 9-10 days show highs in the 70s and low 80s and lows around 60-65. I can deal!

[ny biker]

I can think of reasons to not like Florida but right now I wish I could go someplace warm. I'm bracing for the polar vortex that's coming in a few days, and apparently will be back next week. For the weekend we're expecting warmer weather but with rain that will start as snow/icy/mix. I'm already tired of winter coats and hats and gloves!

On the flipside, the gym has been way too warm lately. They send out an email saying that they were working on improving the temperature after receiving a number of complaints, but last night it was too warm again. The locker room is especially uncomfortable, despite the thermostat being set to 55 last night. Clearly something is not working right. This is a problem with bad weather coming, because I can barely stand to do weight training when a gym is too warm, but I can't do cardio at all. I hope they fix it soon.

Meanwhile I continue to forget to update the log when I'm using the only computer that can access Google docs...

[Catrin]

"small" ice storm this morning certainly changed MY plans for the day. It's supposed to warm to 40 today for a few hours, hopefully that will be enough to thaw the 12-foot river of ice between my apt's sidewalk and my car. Given everything I'm far more scared of ice than anything else - can't risk falling again! Looked at Amazon for Yak Tracks - I do need to order them but would have gotten same-day delivery for the very first time ever if I could have. I do need them though so will get them.

So instead of TaiChi and walking/hiking today, it is one of my Kettlebell swing workouts + flexibility/mobility work.

[Crankin]

Catrin, I found the Yak Tracks not to be of good quality. I had 2 pairs and they broke! I got some called Ice Spikes, or something similar and they are awesome. I had an 800 ft. driveway, with a 13% grade at my last house and sometimes, the ice stayed, despite plowing. They worked like a charm, as well as on icy trails.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I found the Yak Tracks not to be of good quality. I had 2 pairs and they broke! I got some called Ice Spikes, or something similar and they are awesome. I had an 800 ft. driveway, with a 13% grade at my last house and sometimes, the ice stayed, despite plowing. They worked like a charm, as well as on icy trails.

Thanks Crankin, that's what I found through reviews. I purchased the STABILicer Hike XP after checking them out on different places. I was going to get them directly from the company, but this way I save $9 AND get them tomorrow I think they will do well for both the kind of hiking I enjoy AND walking across ice rivers to get to car and work. Pity how many bad Yak Traxs reviews out there - and the reviews for the less expensive STABLicers aren't as good - apparently the cheaper ones do well as long as they stay on your shoes... I probably would have gotten the less expensive version if I wasn't planning on actually hiking.

[Crankin]

Good idea. That's why I got the spikier ones, too.
So... we decided to go out and walk during the snowstorm, which is now over. We live on a private road, which means, our condo association pays a company for the plowing. Thus, i can't tell if the other streets have been plowed. We decided we didn't need snow shoes, and then walked on the little trail to the next neighborhood. When we got out to the street, we discovered the streets hadn't been plowed at all! We could have skied in this neighborhood, lots of small ups and downs. Not sure if this is because it's a Saturday and they were just waiting, or because our experience in Concord is based on living on the top of a huge hill that was plowed immediately and often, as to avoid issues for the residents. So, we walked in the tracks of the few cars that had gone in and out. We had our hiking boots on, should have had gaiters, too. When we got back, we cleaned off our cars, as it was getting close to the time when the snow was supposed to stop. Walked probably 3.25 miles and then a little extra work car brushing and shoveling around the car.

[ny biker]

Thanks Crankin, that's what I found through reviews. I purchased the STABILicer Hike XP after checking them out on different places. I was going to get them directly from the company, but this way I save $9 AND get them tomorrow I think they will do well for both the kind of hiking I enjoy AND walking across ice rivers to get to car and work. Pity how many bad Yak Traxs reviews out there - and the reviews for the less expensive STABLicers aren't as good - apparently the cheaper ones do well as long as they stay on your shoes... I probably would have gotten the less expensive version if I wasn't planning on actually hiking.

I just bought the LL Bean Stabilicers to give to my nephew, since his job requires him to be out in all kinds of weather. They got good reviews* and have a velcro strap across the top of the toe to keep them from falling off.

* I've since learned that LL Bean only posts reviews from people who have used the product. So if you receive it, take one look and realize there's a problem so you return it, you can't post a review to tell prospective customers about the problem. So the reviews are all skewed positive. Anyway there's still the lifetime guarantee if there are any problems with them. I saw reviews for the Yak Traks on the REI site that indicated various problems with them.

I dealt with our ice storm by heeding the warnings to stay indoors; I stayed up late the night before and slept till noon. It was still only 32 at that point. A few hours later when I left to go see Rogue One, there was still ice on the front steps of my building because it's in the shade. I know several of my neighbors had already gone out at that point but none of them bothered to clear the ice; I was almost late for the movie because I spent several minutes stomping on it with the heel of my awesome new half-price Uggs to break it up so that none of them would fall. Your welcome, self-absorbed neighbors.

But I digress. I've been missing workouts a lot as I try to get all my Christmas shopping finished while also struggling with a bout of laziness and hating the weather. I did manage to get out for a walk last night.

I have a list of 17 things I need to do before I leave town later this week and "pack for vacation" isn't even on the list! And neither is two loads of laundry. Yikes.