(L) 2015 is off to a good, but slow, cold start out here in Colorado. Everyday I think I am going to get at least 3 miles in and the snow, ice and wind have been incredible deterrents. In fact, over the weekend I had a snow exfoliation!  I kid you not!  I was walking/running and bracing myself against the wind gust that threatened to blow me right into the ice fishermen when the snow began to literally sand blast my face!  No need for any micro-dermabrasion this month!! I am pretty sure I look at least 5 years younger after I lost that layer of skin!

I have been able to average about 2 miles each day in the new year and I am looking forward to being home where hopefully the weather will be a little milder.  Not having a treadmill here in the mountains has definitely been a disadvantage during this cold snap.  I have also begun G’s Plank Challenge.  Fortunately, I can do those indoors without any equipment (although a stronger core would be useful).

As this is a new year of torture reports it seems fitting do discuss some of my goals.  Here is the list that I have started:

• Monthly Challenges (January -Planks)
• Running 2,015 miles with G
• Outrun 2015
• Slacker Half Marathon
• Running 3-4 days week with my neighbor
• Weight training
• Yoga 

As you can see from this list I will have quite a lot to discuss each week as I truly strive to live up to my name this year; PocaLocaLowi.  Translation:  A little bit crazy Lowi!  While I am translating for you, G translates to Certifiably Insane!

I am sure the list will evolve as I move through the year and I have heard rumblings from G that she and Johnny Armani may attempt some crazy ultras out my way.  You never know, I may jump on their wagon if they don’t run over me first!

So, here’s to 2015!  What are your fitness goals for the new year?  What changes are you making so that this is the year they happen?

(G) Since our last chat the year has ended, the Run Every Day and Squat Challenges have come and gone. On New Year’s Day I dug in and made some goals, intentions and a vision board for this bright and shiny new year.

To start the year off right I did what anyone serious about fitness would do, I took January 1st off! That’s right, after a streak of 33 days of running/walking I thought a break was in order. That gave me time to do all this mad planning.

2015 adventures:

• Lowi and I are going to collectively run 2,015 miles (With 22 miles so far we are practically there)
• Again, I am setting the goal of logging 1,700 miles. I fell short in 2014.
• I am committing to one fitness challenge a month.
• I am keeping the sugar intake to a minimum.
• Outrun 24 2015!!
• Keeping with the strength training even during high mileage weeks.
• Sun Salutations every day! (OK most days)

Plank Challenge
Per my commitment for the year of doing one challenge a month, we are doing a plank challenge. With all my free time on January 1st I created one. Yep, so I really have nobody to blame but myself now. The goal is to end the month with 10 1-minute planks. I can hear Shakira and Lowi yelling now. Aah, the sound of family 🙂

Upcoming races
So far this year I need to be committed… ahem, I mean I am already committed to 6 or 7 races (Hoping the Slacker Half Marathon with Lowi is #7). The first one is less than 3 months away in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. Nothing like a 60K to get you warmed up for another Outrun 24! With all that in mind, I hit official training on Saturday with a 10-miler. As it was pouring buckets of rain I opted for the treadmill. It was long and little bit torturous but that’s the kind of mental training every ultra runner needs on occasion. Johnny Armani already has our gym (aka the basement) all set up with motivation mojo. Sometimes while on the treadmill you need a little pick-me-up. So here’s a little sampler of what good old JA has come up with so far.

On Sunday, I followed it up with a 6-miler and managed to get outside. It was unusually warm for January but when the sun is out in January you gotta take advantage. It didn’t take long for the Ohio weather system to realize that it doesn’t let the sun shine on the Buckeye state between the months of November and April (sometimes May) so as you can see the day started here:

And ended like this:

I did have a near human to human slow motion collision with a man out on the trail. He got blown to left by the wind, right into me. We had a good laugh about it and then tried to move forward. It was classic.

Sunshine & Sarcasm,

A little bit crazy Lowi and Certifiably Insane 🙂