When I checked the local weather, it said 39 degrees and with wind chill it was 30 degrees. So, I did what any sane person would do – I dressed up for December and went out for a run. It was not half as cold as that and I was certainly overdressed 🙁 Within one mile, I had to start taking layers out. All in all, a good – if somewhat uncomfortable – run on a cold, very windy morning. To cool down, I put in 2K of rowing in the gym. I love the idea of the cold weather coming upon us. Nothing is more fun than daring the elements to go out for a run. Till people consider you insane, it is not worth doing it 🙂

Since most of my Bengali friends were sleeping in this morning after the Puja celebrations last night, I went ahead and ran in Fowler Park for a 10K run. It was really cool temperatures (mid forties) and I was not dressed for it – specially in the shaded parts of the run. Which was good – since that forced me run fast enough to warm myself up. I think I was the only one running in shorts and half sleeves. That and the fact it was flat surface was enough to make a big difference compared to my 10K hill runs yesterday. Almost 100 seconds per mile difference. Yesterday was 9:53 min/mile while today was 8:16!!

The run was extremely enjoyable. The Starbucks coffee all by myself after that – no so much 🙂

10K run in between dropping and picking up Nikita at her friend’s birthday party. The north Roswell hills were very pretty but very punishing. Slowed down to 10min/mile. Beautiful cool day with the sun shining bright. Now enjoying a strawberry smoothie at Starbucks waiting for the birthday party to get over…

Today I went to midtown Atlanta. It was cool (43 degrees) and the wind was stronger than I and bargained for. After a few minutes, I avoided my usual route and started heading down north-south streets (the wind was from the west). Other than that, it was a enjoyable run. The chapped lips and sniffles notwithstanding 🙂

I have always been worried about my upper body strength as I grow older. (To be honest, I have been worried about a lot of things about myself as I grow older 🙂 But, I digress.). For sure, I am aware that upper body strength makes running easier. But I just cannot seem to get myself to go to the gym. If it is not out in nature, I get bored quickly. And if does not involve some gadgets showing speeds, distance and such other digital numbers, I am downright disappointed 🙂

However, I have gained 6 pounds 🙁 Once upon a time, a friend of mine – Rachel Stark had asked me to try out rowing. Which actually intrigued me. It would be cool to go row in the river. Of course, I have to first finetune my swimming skills. Which I am not good at, do not want to do it in a gym and does not involve too many digital devices 🙂 You get the drift 🙂

To play safe (and not drown) I started doing it in the gym. I know I know – it is in the gym. In my defense, there is a cool display showing my strokes per minute, speed, distance etc 🙂 On the flipside, the Nike Fuel Band and the Fitbit does not recognize the amount of work I have to do (I guess those accelerometers are more tuned for activities that give you a jerk – like stepping).

Well, so far this week, it has been 5K run followed by 2K rowing each day. Let’s see how long this lasts… The temperatures outside have been awesome – 46 degrees. I just wish I could do the rowing in a river…

Woke up early but got a lazy start since schools are closed today. (I know! What all excuses I will come up with 🙂 )
Roads were rain soaked and somewhat slippery – especially the downhills.
Made it a quick 5K run and will go for some rowing now…

Today, it was just Samaresh and myself. The kids stayed home and Amitesh was busy hosting guests… Great 5K run and Starbucks after that. Coffee with Samaresh is always enlightening. Today I got some good tips about perspectives in life. (including why running is important 🙂 )

Uncharacteristically, overslept till 8:15 🙁 Almost by three hours! I guess I was tired and needed the sleep. Drinking a few glasses of wine more than usual with Raj the previous night helped 🙂 🙂 Since I missed the normal window of running before the family woke up, I had to wait till I had take my daughter to her classes.
The sun was up, it was cool and there was some breeze. That was not the problem. The problem was that the roads had filled up with cars already (like they are supposed to 🙂 ) – leaving me with no option but to get off the asphalt and run on the sidewalks.
10K of concrete run. That hurt 🙁 Took almost an hour to finish. A heavy lunch later, I am ready to start snoring! Wait, time to take the other daughter for her classes now 🙂

So there I was running on Alpharetta roads on a nice cool dark October morning – and out of nowhere suddenly it started raining! Well, strictly speaking, it was out of the overcast skies, but my point is I got totally drenched 🙂 Speeded up and in about six minutes found a shelter – just in time for the rains to stop!! Arghhh! I don’t think that extra hot Starbucks coffee will stop me from sneezing and coughing all day long 🙂 It was a nice run all the same…

One more cool crisp morning. Quick 5K run at 9 minute/mile pace in Atlantic Station – Georgia Tech area. Funny moment of this morning: as I came to the intersection of State Rd and whatever the cross street was, there was this black cat standing on one side of the road – looking at the other side. I am not saying it was purposefully waiting for the traffic light to turn green, but it did look like it was hesitating to cross the road.
Here is what I did – I crossed the road from the other side 🙂
Guess who is going to have bad luck today? 🙂

Tables totally turned on the proverbial – and in this case, a particular midtown black cat!! 🙂 🙂